Originally Posted by
eatontkd
Greetings all~
Thank you so much for the concern and best wishes!
I have had ALL the tests needed, sometimes more than once! Conclusion: my PCP told me my vitals, levels are all within good standing. Resting Heart Rate - 68. BP - 118 over 75. Cholesterol total is 184. And, apparently, all other triggers are not present. I don't smoke, have a BMI of 23, am "aware" of what I eat, and have a low alcohol drink level (once or twice a week). However, enter STRESS. That nemesis may have done me in: sole provider owing a business, working a part-time additional job, last child in college (tuition bills!!)
As stated: I do feel "lucky" as in I don't have any of the paralysis, weakness that can be attributed to stroke. Just would like the vision thing to settle down and my head to stop this dull ache. I miss work. I miss training. It's hard to "relax" when so much of my time, that was my time to relax, was in the saddle or do-jang.
Appreciate the concerns gang. Don't take for granted what you've got today, ever.
I am a neurologist and an avid cyclist. Current guidelines suggest your LDL cholesterol should be below 70 as secondary stroke prevention. Get it checked. Make sure you don't have a PFO (patent foramen ovale.) Make sure you don't have a congenital clotting disorder (Protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, factor V leiden, e.g.) If your echocardiogram and vessel imaging studies are normal, then you should have a 30 day cardiac event monitor and if that is normal, you might get an implanted cardiac loop monitor. Many strokes are from heart dysrhythmias that are paroxysmal. Endurance athletes are at risk for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and I would look hard at this with your neurologist and cardiologist. Happy holidays.