A tale of two women: how we react to a heart attack diagnosis

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 1 Comment

by Carolyn Thomas

Although I’d been having increasingly debilitating cardiac symptoms for two weeks, when the cardiologist in the E.R. told me that I clearly had “significant heart disease”, I almost fell off the gurney. That diagnosis started a roller coaster of reactions in the days, weeks and months ahead: shock, disbelief, fear, denial, gratitude, anger, inspiration, despair, hope, anxiety, relief, self-pity, determination  – well, you get my drift.

Welcome to your ‘new normal’.

Dr. Charlotte Thompson, university professor at the University of California at San Diego and a practising physician for over 50 years, has had her share of observing how patients react to a devastating diagnosis. She says:

“I am always amazed at the different ways that patients respond after a serious diagnosis.”

She gives this example of  how two different women demonstrate what works – and what doesn’t: Continue reading “A tale of two women: how we react to a heart attack diagnosis” →

Heart Attack Grill: “Over 350 Pounds? – Eat Free!”

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 2 Comments

food bypass burger menu

Warning!  Reading this may induce squirming, revulsion and a strong urge to eat a raw carrot.

Consider the brilliant marketing strategy behind the Heart Attack Grill, a diner in Arizona that has hit upon a gimic that’s garnered world-wide attention. Owner Jon Basso claims that he has never spent one penny on advertising “and never will”, yet he’s cashing in on what he calls the “nutritional pornography” of his diner. “Food So Bad For You, It’s Good” is a diner slogan, along with “Taste Worth Dying For”. Continue reading “Heart Attack Grill: “Over 350 Pounds? – Eat Free!”” →

Women under-diagnosed for Peripheral Artery Disease

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 3 Comments

woman legs pain

by Carolyn Thomas  ♥ @HeartSisters

September is Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month, as I’m sure you have already noted on your calendar.  But in case you haven’t yet made celebratory plans for the occasion, you should know that people with PAD are at greater risk for heart attack, stroke, or if not appropriately treated in time, even amputation of limbs.

Awareness, however, among both the general public and family physicians about diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this cardiovascular disease is extremely low. It’s therefore a good thing that September is finally here so we can address this.
 Continue reading “Women under-diagnosed for Peripheral Artery Disease” →

Depressed? Who, me? Myths and facts about depression after a heart attack

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 12 Comments

by Carolyn Thomas   ♥  @HeartSisters

I have a friend who has a friend who’s been depressed, off and on, for years. During that time, my friend and I have done our fair share of eye-rolling whenever the subject of this person’s depression came up. We wondered why she just couldn’t pull up her socks and quit all this self-absorbed moping around.

Neither my friend nor I had ever had one nanosecond of actually experiencing clinical depression ourselves – which, of course, didn’t stop us from passing judgement.  Continue reading “Depressed? Who, me? Myths and facts about depression after a heart attack” →