So guys: I was close to losing my life without knowing! I'm better now...

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

Not been on here a while. I dunno why but my subscription emails stopped coming to my inbox!

Anyways, I had a couple of heart scares at work in January then a heart attack at the end of February. On my third visit to tyhe local hospital (Winchestrer, ON) after for checks they decided to keep me overnight then shipped me over to the Ottawa Heart Institute. Good job they did: here's me expecting a stent or 2 and the surgeon comes to see me and says well mister: you ain't going home just yet! We gotta cut you open and fix them pipes (I'm paraphrasing).

Turns out, my coronary arteries were between 50% and 95% blocked in 9 areas! I was one big heart attack away from dying. Anyways, I had a triple heart bypass on March 4th 2026. Everything went well. I started back at work at FedEx last week. I'm easily lifting 75-100 pounds and I never felt better in 30 years.

Get your blood pressure checked regularly and keep a tight rein on your cholesterol! Also, my heart disease was hereditary and I never even knew I was ill so bear that in mind too. Get checked!!!

[cmatthes]

Whoah!  Glad to hear you’re on top of things - this could have been SO much worse.  Great timing…

[hamerhead]

Holy hell that's scary. Nice catch!

First, buy a lottery ticket, then retire. Even if you don't win, you win.

 

[bry4321]

Glad you came out better than when you went in. Thanks for letting the rest of us learn from your experience! 

[The Shark]

I remember my father remarking that he didn't know how bad he felt, because it happened so slowly.  He was a physician.

Glad you recovered and are back to work.  I'm sure they're going to keep an eye on you going forward.

Don't be a stranger.  This is a good place.

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

On 8/28/2026 at 9:19 PM, The Shark said:

I remember my father remarking that he didn't know how bad he felt, because it happened so slowly.  He was a physician.

That's what got me! I had slowed down a little over the years but put it down to being in constant pain from an unrelated nerve problem (spine/neck) manifesting as pain in my neck / head. I've been on meds for that for too long (strong pain meds) so thought my tiredness was down to that.

I would never have guessed that I had heart diesease. The 3 bad blocks were 95% blockage! Dangerous. Anyways, I had 1 long vein removed from my left arm to make 3 new arteries. Recovery seemed slow at 6 months but my surgeon tells me that's quick: he said he had some my age (I'm 61) still off work after 2 years.

I feel good now: very good actually! Jus' need to lose a pound or too

Edited Monday at 09:33 AM by Victor (Fret Friend)
Grammatical errors

[The Shark]

4 hours ago, Victor (Fret Friend) said:

That's what got me! I had slowed down a little over the years but put it down to being in constant pain from an unrelated nerve problem (spine/neck) manifesting as pain in my neck / head. I've been on meds for that for too long (strong pain meds) so thought my tiredness was down to that.

I would never have guessed that I had heart diesease. The 3 bad blocks were 95% blockage! Dangerous. Anyways, I had 1 long vein removed from my left arm to make 3 new arteries. Recovery seemed slow at 6 months but my surgeon tells me that's quick: he said he had some my age (I'm 61) still off work after 2 years.

I feel good now: very good actually! Jus' need to lose a pound or too

Dad had two bypass surgeries.  The first they cut his leg to harvest the arteries from the knee to the ankle.  It gave him more trouble than the actual surgical site, once he got used to his breast plate moving a little!  The second surgery they only cut a slit at the top of his lower leg and at his ankle and pulled the vein out like a magic trick!  It was so less invasive.  He was actually on a medical talk-radio show in Orlando and explained the advancements between the two surgeries (16 years apart). 

Dad bought a treadmill. That was easiest.  No travelling or weather to worry about.  He used to walk while he watched the evening news.  Good luck dropping the weight.  You'll be amazed how much better you'll feel.  I've lost 60 pounds over the past ten years.  Walking and light weights only.  Heart is good and so is my health.  Now, I'm worried about getting hit by a truck! 

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

Yeah those leg surgeries are often worse than the actual chest procedure and that is brutal! I have friends who say the leg took longer to heal than the chest. I had 1 vein removed: it’s still giving me gip after 6 months: the scar just won’t settle. That aside, I feel great! Glad your dadgot a few extra years 👍🙏🙌

 

I’m back at FedEx humping/delivering 60/70 large parcels on my truck per day! It’s a good work out 😉

Edited Monday at 11:14 PM by Victor (Fret Friend)

[The Shark]

3 hours ago, Victor (Fret Friend) said:

Yeah those leg surgeries are often worse than the actual chest procedure and that is brutal! I have friends who say the leg took longer to heal than the chest. I had 1 vein removed: it’s still giving me hipster 6 months: the scar just won’t settle. That aside, I feel great! Glad your dad is still with us 👍🙏🙌

 

I’m back at FedEx humping/delivering 60/70 large parcels on my truck per day! It’s a good work out 😉

Dad passed in 2021, but he made it to the ripe old age of 89.  Had his first "tune up" when he was 59.  They are so much better at it now.  The technology just keeps increasing the life expectancy from bypass surgery.  

Sound like you're getting all the steps you need.  Try intermediate fasting five days a week.  That's what I do.  Twenty four hundred calories, but meals twelve hours apart.  I don't even watch grams of fat or anything.  Just calories and fasting.  On the weekends, I eat what I want when I want.  But I find I really don't go overboard after years of the "system".  It's not easy at first for people that like to snack, but it's miraculous when you get it down.  Go kid!

[BTMN]

Pleased to read of your recovery rather than your demise. Here’s a Cheer for many more years of enjoying revolutions around the Sun. 
😎❤️👍🏁