SF2T- Post Script-2

It has been a while since I posted anything about the medical condition that took me off trail from the Santa Fe to Taos trail. I have gotten a number of heart tests, seen several doctors, and gone on a family vacation to Yellowstone since then. I blogged about the Yellowstone trip, which was a great success, but have not revealed anything about my medical journey. This blog is intended to remedy that.

So when I last blogged about this topic (see SF2T – Post Script – 1), I was set up to get a Coronary Calcium test, waiting to schedule an echocardiogram, and get a few other blood tests. What I didn’t mention was that I also had a complete physical exam scheduled with my primary care physician.

Since then, I have gotten all the tests and labs along with the physical, which, I am glad to say, found no smoking gun.

The Coronary Calcium is a CT scan of the heart to measure the amount, if any, of calcium buildup in your heart arteries. These are the blood vessels that actually supply the heart muscle with blood. If they get clogged up, you have a heart attack. An ideal number would be 0, no clogging. 1-100 is considered mild, 100-400 is moderate, more than 400 is severe. Mine came back at (a disappointing number for me) 176, which my cardiologist said was normal for my age.

My echocardiogram was unchanged from one I had five years ago. And my apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein (A), [an exact measure of my bad cholesterol], were very low, as was my standard cholesterol panel. My general physical exam was normal, also.

Ultimately, after reviewing the tests and labs, my cardiologist said to keep doing what I’m doing. If I get shortness of breath and/or palpitations, then run an ECG with the little handheld device I purchased and run it by him. Otherwise, eat right, exercise, etc.

I have been out on my usual training hikes around town and have not had any problems. If anything, I feel stronger than I have in a while. Given that, I have decided to go back and finish the SF2T trail at the end of August.

There are roughly 50 miles of trail left from the Sipapu Resort where Cappuccino and I left off. I have been in contact with Cappy, who would like to join me, but she has other commitments that might prevent her from coming. So we are just going to “play it by ear.”

So that’s my story to this point. I will be heading back to New Mexico on Aug. 19th and will blog every day while on the trail. But as usual, I will probably not be able to post until I get out of the mountains due to a lack of internet. So look for posting of the actual trip after Aug. 28th.

Until next time Safe travels and happy trails…