Can Cardiac Issues Occur After Undergoing Treatment For Thyroidectomy, Stroke And Bowel Obstructions?

Question : I have a cardiac history that includes two MI’s the first was in 2000 at age 53 with a total blockage of the LAD. I have permanent damage,to the heart muscle, but it doesn’ go all the way through. I had a second MI in 2014, caused by a blood clot that blocked the right coronary artery. The damage from that one cleared up within a year. Chest X ray report shows lungs are clear; no pneumothorax; costophrenic angles are sharp; Cardiomediastinal silhouette within normal limits except for a calcified and mildly tortuous aorta; atherosclerotic calcification; degenerative changes of spine and hips. EKG measurements:intervals axis, rate 62 P: 50; PR: 147 QRS: 31; QRSD: 85 T: 43; QT; 420; QTc 477. Interpretive statements: Sinus rhythm; Probable left atrial enlargement; left axis deviation. Sorry, I tried to upload the files and couldn’t. Hope the info makes sense. I have peripheral veinous insufficiency, an some slight evidence of small vessel disease. I also had a stroke during an angiogram in 2000. My blood pressure has been low since the last MI, but in the past few months it has been up tp 172 over 75, primarily when I have been in highly stressful situations. Normal is 110 over 65. I have had surgery four times since September, three of them major under general anesthesia. I have a history of bowel obstructions and had four between May and January. One of the surgeries was emergency surgery to clear a blockage. I may have to undergo a thyroidectomy in the near future. How has all this affected my heart, and what are the chances I might have another cardiac event? I also have evidence of minor small vessel disease. My cholesterol is 96. With all the illnesses, including two kidney infections and 8 other UTI’s and the surgeries, I have been less active since the end of September. I am now back to hiking 4-6 miles at a time but have a ways to go my strength back. My concern is for my heart health. My brother had an MI with the blockage in his LAD. My other brother dies of a cerebral hemorrhage. Do you have any suggestions for preventive measures beyond diet and exercise? I eat a healthy diet and am getting exercise again.

Does this mean that even if I follow strict guidelines, I could have another MI or other cardiac/vascular event anyway? Another factor I neglected to mention is mild traumatic brain injury from a subdural hematoma resulting from a car crash in 2015 that left me with mild cognitive impairment, much of which I have partiallly recovered. I function in some areas between the and three standard deviations below my previous capacity, which was quite high, I have an MS degree and was at the top of my class and now have short term memory issues and executive function deficits. I was in another serious crash, too. Both accidents involved significant blood loss, and treatment was delayed due to the remoteness of emergency assistance. I have had more health problems in the last three years, and they seem to be increasing. Based on these factors, what do I have to look forward to in terms of life expectancy?

Your analysis corroborates what I expect. I continue to live a very active life and take the setbacks as they come. I bounce back quickly. I have kept myself in excellent physical condition through exercise and diet. The increasing frequency of events is interfering with my lifestyle. This has been a long siege, lasting from May to now. I ‘m aware that the odds are not great for longevity, so I have decided to make the most of the time I have. I try not to worry about what I can do nothing about and to take control over what I can. You have been very helpful in terms of information and putting things into perspective. Thank you for you expertise and for the pep talk.