thoughts as well, because the cardiologist was “just checking.” So I get all prepped for the angiogram and in the process, fill out some paper work that definitely elevated my blood pressure. Te doctors sedated me pretty good and I sure felt like I was in a good deep sleep, finally relaxed and was on the operating table at noon. Before I was awake and headed to recovery, the cardiologist told my wife that while they were scoping my heart, they had put in three stents! My wife’s jaw hit the ground. Tree stents. Wow. I had 90 percent blockage and two other places of 80 percent blockage in my left coronary artery, better known as the widow maker. I was on borrowed time. My cardiologist said most people with 90 percent blockage have already had a heart attack.
Needless to say, I missed my first football game in my career that weekend after my surgery. Not that big of a deal that I almost orphaned my wife and kids, right? My wife and I were shocked, how did this happen? I give a lot of credence for my being proactive in getting checked out to the late Darian Daily, as his tragic early passing served as a wake-up call.
How did I get this way? Let’s be honest. We sports turf managers worry a lot, work long and irregular hours, often have bad eating habits, and work under a lot of stress. And if you are unlucky, there may be some hereditary history that complicates things even more. After my episode, I am now on a carb-free diet, getting regular cardiovascular exercise, and taking multiple medications to keep my blood pressure in check and blood flowing through my stents. I am very lucky, but need to continue this regimen to alleviate this condition in the future.
So I urge you that if you haven’t recently, go get checked out. It could save your life.
Jeff Salmond, CSFM, is director of athletic field management, University of Oklahoma, and a Past President of the Sports Turf Managers Association.
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CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE Coronary artery disease develops when the major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients become damaged or diseased. Cholesterol- containing deposits (plaque) in your arteries and inflammation are usually to blame for coronary artery disease. When plaque builds up, it narrows your coronary arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. Eventually, the decreased blood flow may cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or other coronary artery disease signs and symptoms. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack. Because coronary artery disease often develops over decades, you might not notice a problem until you have a significant blockage or a heart attack. But there's plenty you can do to prevent and treat coronary artery disease. A healthy lifestyle can make a big impact
Symptoms If your coronary arteries narrow, they can't supply enough oxygen-rich blood to your heart, especially when it's beating hard, such as during exercise. At first, the decreased blood flow may not cause any coronary artery disease symptoms. As plaque continues to build up in your coronary arteries, however, you may develop coronary artery disease signs and symptoms, including: Chest pain (angina). You may feel pressure or tightness in your chest, as if someone were standing on your chest. Tis pain, referred to as angina, usually occurs on the middle or left side of the chest. Angina is generally triggered by physical or emotional stress. Te pain usually goes away within minutes after stopping the stressful activity. In some people, especially women, this pain may be fleeting or sharp and felt in the neck, arm or back. Shortness of breath. If your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you may develop shortness of breath or extreme fatigue with exertion. Heart attack. A completely blocked coronary artery will cause a heart attack. Te classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing pressure in your chest and pain in your shoulder or arm, sometimes with shortness of breath and sweating.
When to see a doctor If you have risk factors for coronary artery disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco use, diabetes, a strong family history of heart disease or obesity, talk to your doctor. He or she may want to test you for the condition, especially if you have signs or symptoms of narrowed arteries. Of course, if you’re having heart attack symptoms, call 911! Coronary artery disease is thought to begin with damage or injury to the inner layer of a coronary artery, sometimes as early as childhood. Te damage may be caused by various factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or insulin resistance, and sedentary lifestyle.
TPI Turf News March/April 2019
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