July 10th - Another Mac update from Claudia

Dave (Mac) had his first cardiac rehab. appointment yesterday. He had hoped they would tell him he could begin golfing with the guys this Wednesday but they want to observe him a for a week before giving the go ahead. Starting this week he will go to rehab. 3 x per week.

He learned more yesterday regarding what happened, as the final report from the heart lab. was available. His left anterior main artery was 90 % blocked and a branch off that was 70% blocked. These are the two areas where stents were placed. The heart had compensated since there was evidence of collateral circulation and in the end he suffered no irreversible damage. The right main artery is 50% blocked and was not stented because it did not meet the criteria for the procedure. This is one reason to observe him while being monitored in the Cardiac Rehab. Unit. This is also a reason for his medication and to watch diet and cholesterol. Although the blockage on the right will not go away except by further stenting, the fore mentioned measures can hopefully prevent further blockage.

A recommendation by the Cardiovascular Clinic was for Mac to begin taking 1000 mg. of fish oil (mega-3 fatty acids) on a daily basis. I am passing this on in the event you have an interest it such a supplement for it's benefits, which include:

• Reduced risk of heart attack
• Decreased level of triglycerides in the blood
• Small reduction in blood pressure

The clinic warned Mac that the supplement has a foul taste. To help alleviate the problem, they recommend freezing them and then taking them in the frozen state. To recommend that, I'm not even going to ask how they are manufactured or from what part of the fish they are made!

All in all he is doing well. I'm doing well too, with him around the house 24/7. It's a toss up over which of us wants him to be able to start golfing again.

Claudia