I found out a couple weeks ago my mitral valve is prolapsing, very loud heart murmur.
Thursday they did a procedure that shows three of my heart arteries are fine, but the widow maker is completely blocked.
Dr said it probably happened over a long period of time because the heart found a blood source from somewhere else.
Thank goodness I walked hundreds of miles hunting fox and coyote over the last 35+ years.
I was told I have a strong athletic heart.
They said I don't need a pacemaker at this time, it was something they at first thought I needed.
I had read that if the heart is in good shape and nothing else is wrong I could probably do trans catheter mitral valve repair, I guess the bypass rules that less invasive surgery out.
I so did not want open heart surgery, the recovery is horrible I hear.
I probably won't be hunting or trapping this year.
Cleaning carpet I regularly use a 110lb. machine, Im guessing it will be three months before I can lift it up into my truck .
Dang it anyway!!

You’re tougher than an old boot and meaner than snappin turtle. Seen you carry that machine up three flights of stairs. I even offered to help……..

It puts a big damper on things but do follow the medical advice.
I hear they have a good heart center up in Sioux Falls.

My widow maker was 95% plugged, I was 54 and my father died at 53 of a heart attack . They said it was unlucky genetics and put in a stint. I am 68 and still plugging along. Hope you get feeling better.

God Bless T 20

Praying.Take care

Will be praying for you.
You have mentioned that you are your wife's primary care person. I'm hopping you have some one close who can help though all this.

You've had a rough go lately Kevin.

You deserve a break. Best wishes.

I hope you come out good, two people I know just had open heart surgery, both went very well, they don’t have to lift anything but recovery has been good, the weight restrictions are pretty big at first it’s only 5 pounds then slowly increasing.

Hope for the best Prayers sent

Do What you have to do!

Let the surgeons say.

Many Prayers

Had the widow maker while laying in hospital emergency room back in 06.
A great ER doctor saved my life that evening they transported me to another hospital but a stint in.
No heart damage do to fast action of the doctor in ER.
Went back to trapping in 4 weeks been active every since I was 55 at the time.

Lol, I used to be mean
It's actually easier to get it up the stairs with one person, I lean back and pull it up.
Two people then they split the whole 110 lbs.
I do appreciate people offering, I have a crank lift to put it in the truck for when I'm weak, or having a back spasms.
I'm guessing it's going to be March before I can work
Thanks Clayton, you were a pleasure to work with, a good man and great family!

Ya I hear that, my wife was in one of the other Avera hospitals for six weeks after her stroke

That's good news, I think sugar, alcohol, and bad seed oils, ingredients in processed food are to blame for the inflammation that the cholesterol sticks too

My son drove me to Sioux falls, I think my daughter might take a week off to help us, she has a friend that helps her, brings food if I'm gone,, , but for some reason my bacon disappeared from my fridge after she put her left overs in our fridge!

Thanks! I got a lotta coyote to kill yet before I go,!!

I'm thinking I'll see if someone can zip my hyperbaric chamber shut so I can do treatments, I'll heal much faster then

Cool, lucky too
I didn't know the heart could get blood another way if it plugs slowly, I too was probably lucky not to have a heart attack

SF saved my dad.