Drug Rehab

Even apparently healthy people may be predisposed to cardiovascular disease

Over the years, Dr Duncan Jefferson has been a Standing on your local beach, surf the waves and the miles that runs along the soft sand. "He worked six days a week," says former GP. "I have a BMI of 22, I do not smoke, my diet is excellent, my blood pressure has not abandoned under control and my cholesterol levels are so good you do not believe. "

These impressive figures that make an average man 60 years Dr. Duncan proud. So it was a profound shock for the doctor robust when a few months ago, it was found fighting fit as he had not believed, but the fight for his life. "I've been just for the tour of Simon and Garfunkel concerts end with my wife, daughter and her husband and we were running for the bus to go home, "he recalls." Suddenly I thought, 'What was that? " There was a sharp pain in my right shoulder. "

Dr. Duncan had experienced pain in his right shoulder, but had previously thought it was arthritis pain. "I just I thought it was due to aging, "he laughs," but the pain of the day this is much greater in intensity and I thought it better to be out as cheeks was about to go on holiday abroad. "

Who knows what might have happened if there had been no vacation plans due to the decision of Dr. Duncan to call his doctor that day just may have saved his life. The doctor ordered an angiogram for that afternoon. "Then the guy who did it, said 'you 're not leaving the hospital, I fear. I found out I had a critical injury to my left [home] of the coronary arteries and that he would need bypass surgery. "I critically injured in the left main artery is sometimes referred to as a" widow-maker injury "- if the artery is completely blocked, no chance of survival. Dr. Duncan had a blockage of 90-95%.

After six days of stimulation of the coronary care unit, surgery went ahead. "I felt very scared at this time. He hoped that the surgeon and tried not to think about the fact that they were going to take a chainsaw to my chest! I had the surgery at the Hospital Monte to me that I had the best surgeon and the best care I could have wished.

"Then I woke up and this voice in my ear, says:" What sorry, Duncan, but we'll have to put to sleep again. 'Apparently he was bleeding in my lungs. When I awoke a second time, I had tubes coming out everywhere … which was probably the worst part. "

Being on the other side of the equation of physicians and loss of control can be very difficult for doctors, but Dr. Duncan says he was the exception to the rule. Remember that this was because the nurses were so sweet, affectionate and full of common sense and because the surgeon was so good.

"The surgeon I had was technically brilliant, but unlike many other surgeons, who also was very understanding. At one point, he puts his hand on my shoulder and said, "mate, we will look after you" and was so simple and yet so necessary, so useful. "

This lesson of the effects of empathy has had a profound impact on Dr. Duncan and feels grateful that he can understand people's suffering more now. "As a doctor, you think you understand the pain and suffering because I have seen much of him but until you have actually experienced profound disease and how to isolate what it is, it is impossible to fully comprehend. I think once you do, there is a magic way to look at someone and just say, "I understand "and know that you do.

Caring for Your Ticker

1. Watch your weight – if you are overweight, you are 80% more heart disease risk
2. Get some aerobic exercise – particularly beneficial is the type of activity that increase heart rate and gets you breathe deeply
3. Quitting smoking – you know the drill: smokers under age 50 are five times more likely than nonsmokers of dying from coronary heart disease
4. Moderate drinking – regular heavy drinking threatening heart problems. Try to eat when you drink and mingle non-alcoholic drink, also
5. Watch your diet – reduce saturated fat and salt if your cholesterol is high levers
6. Diabetes undergo a extra stress on the heart, so that if you are diabetic, it is increasingly important to keep cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose levels under control

Next on their initial treatment, Dr. Duncan made an extensive rehabilitation with the West Australian Cardiac Rehabilitation Service (WACRS). WACRS includes a low impact as guided fitness program as well as education services to help patients and rebuilt its force keeps well in the long term. "I can not speak highly enough of the program!" says Dr. Duncan. "It's a personalized care program run by a team of professionals. All cardiac rehabilitation patients should be there to help launch the rest of their lives. "

Now on the road to recovery Dr. Duncan continues to believe that the rehabilitation process requires patience and humility. "To go from being someone who is very fit and feel in charge, feelings helpless and unable to do anything for yourself is very humbling, "he says, adding that two people in particular, have helped him through -" My dear father "[that had five bypasses at 72 years, but now going strong at 80] and his wife, who spends each day in the hospital with him. "I think having someone to trip trip you make a huge difference. "

In late 2009, Dr. Duncan was able to make another trip – this time in their postponed trip to see his family in England, Ireland and the United States. He decided he was well enough to go when I was back running in the soft sand at your local beach.

Dr. Duncan also are planning to take part in the next race HBF one reason despite his recent health problems. "I would like to participate and, at this stage, there is no reason so that should not be executed. It is self-care and community care, "he says.

And how it feels to be active again? "It a joyous feeling. I thank every day for what it can do, because when taken away from you, is terrible. I value my health because I have yet many things I want to do. "

About the Author

HBF is the leading provider of private health insurance in Western Australia, with options including ambulance cover, and is a significant provider of travel insurance across Australia.

Aideen Lyster for Vodafone Ireland World of Difference