Archive for category Heart Attack Medical Information Blog

14 inches of snow…what a beautiful day

Dec 9

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Heart Attack Medical Information Blog, Official Heart Attack Survivor Blog | No Comments

Today was a great day. 14 inches of snow and a downed tree. Spent the day plowing driveway and chainsawing tree limbs. Everything was white and beautiful. Last night during the news one of the newscasters said that it was what he considered “heart attack” snowfall. I know that I should not be overerly sensitive, but hearing that statement gave me reason for pause. It made me remember the day I had my heart attack and how very much I hated the idea that such a beautiful winterary day could be called something so horrible.

Never the less I had a fantastic day. I am a little sore, but that is all part of sometimes living and experiencing a beautiful day.

Tags: Angioplasty, Blocked Artery, Congenital Cardiovascular Defects, Flat Line, Heart Association, Heart attack, Heart Attack Emotions, heart attack recovery, Heart Attack Risk Factors, Heart Blog, heart disease, Heart Patient, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, miocardio infraction

Dear Santa:

Nov 30

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Eliminating Congenital Cardiovascular Defects Blog, Heart Attack Medical Information Blog | No Comments

For the last 50 years in either thought of the actually writing of a Christmas letter I have conveyed every year my wish list. This year it seems Santa that things have changed in the United States. It seems Santa that there are more Americans that are losing their homes and jobs. For the first time in a very long time I have noticed a “bump” in American confidence of the ingenuity that once made the United States what it is today.

I am not sure what you can do Santa to help other Moms and Dads to find their “mojo” again and again find success, but it sure would be great if you could deliver some of that “mojo” under the Christmas tree this year. I watch the evening news every night and see very sad news stories about families young and old losing their homes, jobs and their insurance. I hear people on radio and tv argue that people don’t deserve health protection because I guess they feel somewhere along the line they have done something foolish or stupid that would cause them not to be successful and get a good job that provides insurance. I am sure there are some that have, but the successful people that I see losing jobs, houses and their dreams have little to do with doing something wrong or stupid.

This year Santa I need a special present. I am sure you know that I suffered a major heart attack in 2008. Since then I have been trying to understand why I was given a second chance at life. I can’t help but think that in fact I have found that reason. I have found that I have been given a vision to do what I can to eliminate Congenital Cardiovascular Heart Defects. I have sent a letter to President Obama and all the United States Senators, but as of yet have not received a response.

I could really use your assistance Santa getting the attention of those leaders that can make my vision a reality. As a heart attack survivor I can not imagine the trauma and sadness that takes place when a teenager suddenly dies. Currently, approximately 4,000 families are rocked by that horrible experience every year.

What would happen Santa if Barack Obama, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mother Theresa, Henry Ford, Abraham Lincoln had died as a teenager? Santa I am creating a program where every high school student will be given an EKG test to identify their propensity for congenital cardiovascular heart defects.

Santa I need your help getting the attention of President Obama. This program is something that needs to be adopted and enacted to save 4,000 lives. I have really tried to be good this year. I have made a few mistakes, but I always try to do the right thing.

Santa I really only want one present this year and that would be a phone call from President Obama and a meeting to discuss my vision.

Sincerely

Patrick J. Fox

Tags: Blocked Artery, Congenital Cardiovascular Defects, Heart Association, Heart attack, Heart Attack Risk Factors, heart stops, High Cholesterol, nuclear stress test, sudden death, widow maker heart attack

I just don’t understand…

Nov 24

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Eliminating Congenital Cardiovascular Defects Blog, Heart Attack Medical Information Blog, Official Heart Attack Loved Ones Blog | No Comments

I have literally sent out thousands of emails to newspapers all over the United States of America. I don’t know if it is about the fact that I did not purchase space in all the thousands of newspapers or the editors just thought my open letter to President Obama was not news worthy. Perhaps it is that editors have not been touched by sudden death of their own teenagers. Possibly, it is because they just did not think any of their readers did not care. Somewhere in the United States 4,000 teenagers die each and every year.

I would ask that all those checking my web site on a daily basis please contact their local media to convey that you do in fact care about EKG testing for all high school students nationally. A good friend of mine yesterday said that they were staunch Repubican. I would ask is the lives of our teenagers Republican or Democratic? Is the value of the lives of our teenagers based on what Rush L. might say on his radio show? Does the value we put on the lives of teenagers hinge on what Sarah P. writes in her book or during her bus trip?

I just don’t get why in general newspapers and fellow citizens have not voiced support for what I am trying to accomplish with EKG testing for all high school aged teenagers all over the United States.

I still hold out hope that just one of those that have read or will read my letter to President Obama will ultimately have the ability to bring it to the attention of our President or the First Lady.

I spend some time on Twitter to hopefully bring attention to my efforts. Currently I have had some very special people bring some attention to my mission. https://twitter.com/davidpatterson3, https://twitter.com/Cynnergies ,https://twitter.com/hcarecounts and https://twitter.com/FOX23photog. Thank you for your efforts.

Tags: Blocked Artery, Congenital Cardiovascular Defects, Flat Line, Heart Attack Risk Factors, Heart Blog, Heart Patient, heart stops, High Cholesterol, miocardio infraction, Motivational Speaker, Obesity, sudden death, widow maker heart attack

I need everyones help please….

Nov 18

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Eliminating Congenital Cardiovascular Defects Blog, Heart Attack Medical Information Blog, Official Heart Attack Loved Ones Blog, Official Heart Attack Survivor Blog | No Comments

The more articles I read about teenagers suddenly dropping dead the worse I feel as a heart attack survivor and a father. I could not imagine a sudden heart attack taking the life of my son or daughter while they were in high school. As a parent it would have been a living Hell to face the thought.

I have attempted to find all of the emails of our elected officials in Washington to push my effort, but they exist no where that I could find. Thus please help me push the effort of providing a EKG test for all high school aged children in the United States. This will not be an inexpensive endevor, but it is time that federal stimulus dollars be spent on something of this kind.

I sent out over 300 emails yesterday to all the media outlets that I am aware existing. Please help me by contacting your local medias to advise them of the open letter that I wrote to President Obama. Tell them please where they can find a copy.

Please help.

Tags: Congenital Cardiovascular Defects, Flat Line, Heart attack, Heart Attack Risk Factors, Heart Patient, miocardio infraction, Post Traumatic Stess Disorder, sudden cardiac event, sudden death, sudden death teen agers, teen age sudden death

Dear President Obama

Nov 17

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Eliminating Congenital Cardiovascular Defects Blog, Heart Attack Medical Information Blog, Official Heart Attack Loved Ones Blog | 2 Comments

Patrick J. Fox

7405 East Cedarville Road

Rock City, Illinois, 61070

November 12, 2009

Barack Obama

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC, 20500

Dear President Obama:

On March 31^st, 2008 at 9:10 a.m., I suffered a massive heart attack that caused me to literally flat line six times. This letter is not about me or about that moment in time but rather an overwhelming desire to save, according to the National Heart Association, 4,000 high school aged children from suffering sudden heart attacks as a result of congenital cardiovascular defects going undetected.

Never before has there been a coordinated national effort embarked on to eradicate an entire defined segment of heart attacks as reported by the National Heart Association. When this program is implemented it will strike a heavy blow to the nearly 500,000 people that die each year as a result of heart attacks. With this program in place, over a period of succeeding years, the number of adult aged heart attacks associated with undetected congenital heart defects will be greatly reduced.

Jobs created nationally as a result of implementing this dynamic program will exceed 10,000 in the first year. The implementation of providing an EKG for each high school student nationally in the first year and incoming freshman in succeeding years will significantly reduce heart attacks suffered by high school aged children and ultimately adults. The cost associated with this program is infinitesimal compared to the 100’s of million dollars in yearly costs associated with heart attacks on the health care industry.

While no one wants to allocate a price on the lives of young people, the reality is that significant amounts of money will be saved in health care costs as a result of this yearly testing. I am a “can do” person that has a passion to do what I can to limit the number of parents of high school aged children being faced with the trauma associated with the sudden death by a child. The program that I am preparing will not save all the lives of teenagers associated with sudden death, but as a parent and as President of the United States your/our children desperately need the opportunity to survive, thrive and dream of a full and active life.

Implementation of this health program in the United States is critical. By targeting one heart attack age group at a time, the impact over the next decade will be significant. Please consider this proposal in an expedited manner as the lives of teenagers throughout the entire nation enlist your commitment to their future.

The federal stimulus dollars have been effectively utilized in many different ways thus far to lift up industries large and small in a time when the United States has been challenged economically and emotionally. With great respect President Obama, I request federal stimulus dollars for each and every child presently attending high school throughout the great nation of the United States so that they will all receive an EKG test to determine their propensity for congenital cardiovascular heart defects.

The media outlets convey that you are convening a “jobs” forum in December. I would like to be part of that meeting. As a high school teacher I have a keen knowledge of front line challenges and the reality of high school students. I would like to meet with you to further discuss my desire to save 4,000 high school aged children.

Sincerely,

Patrick J. Fox

President/Founder-Survive, Thrive, Dream

patrickfox@widowmakerheartattack.com

www.widowmakerheartattack.com

Tags: Angiogram Angioplasty Blocked Artery Bypass cardiac arrest Cardiologist cardiovascular Defibrillator Depression EKG Family History Flat Line Heart Association Heart Atack Emotions Heart attack Heart A

The time has come for me to act…but

Nov 11

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Eliminating Congenital Cardiovascular Defects Blog, Heart Attack Medical Information Blog, Official Heart Attack Loved Ones Blog | No Comments

The time has come for me to act, but I need a great deal of assistance. As best I am aware there is no National Spokesperson for Heart Attack Survivors. There seems to be a spokesperson for nearly everything out there and often times these people are able to accomplish are great deal. One person that comes to mind is Micheal J. Fox. What he has been through is a tragedy to say the least. What he has been able to accomplish is incredibly admirable.

I do not consider myself to be naive, or blind of reality but I honestly feel that eliminating congenital cardiovascular defects for high school aged children is not a pie in the sky, but rather achievable. That goal would take a great deal of effort and planning but saving 4,000 youth per year is worth the effort. I have started a process of planning for such a program, but I need support from others that want to make a difference. I would really appreciate some feedback…

Thus… effective NOW I am hereby pronounce myself to be the Official Spokesperson for Heart Attack Survivors. I will have a platform soon that will completely spell out my plan to impact young people suffering from Congenital Heart Defects and Heart Attacks in the very near future. Stay tuned……

Tags: Anderson Cooper, Angina Pectoris, Angiogram, Angioplasty, Artery Blockage, Bad Diet, Blockage, Blocked Artery, Bypass, cardiac arrest, Cardiologist, cardiovascular, Cardiovascular Defects Blog, Cardiovascular Disease, Cheating Death, Congenital Cardiovascular Defects, Coronary Heart Attack, Coronary Heart Disease, Defibrillator, Depression, Diabetes, Disney World, Dr. Oz, Echocardiogram, EKG, Family History, Flat Line, Heart Association, Heart Atack Emotions, Heart attack, Heart Attack Brigh Light, Heart Attack Emotions, Heart Attack Medical Information Blog, heart attack recovery, Heart Attack Risk Factors, Heart Attack Survivor blog, Heart Blog, heart disease, Heart Failure, heart hospital, Heart Hospitals, Heart Patient, Heart Stent, heart stops, Heart Transplant, Heavy Drinker, High Blood Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, High Lipids, ICU, Illinois Heart Hospital, Information Blog, Massive Heart Attack, Massive HeartAttack, miocardio infraction, Motivational Speaker, nuclear stress test, Obesity, Official Heart Attack, Official Heart Attack Blog, Official Heart Attack Loved Ones Blog, Official Heart Attack Survivor Blog Acute Coronary Syndrome, Official Heart Attack Survivor Blog American Heart Association, Official Heart Attack Web Site, Open Heart Surgery, Oprah Winfrey, Overweight, PAD, Patrick Fox, Patrick J. Fox, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Plavix, Post Traumatic Stess Disorder, Power Walking, Rockford Heart Hospital, Sanjay Gupta, Shortness of Breath, Smoker, Sonja Gupta, Stroke, sudden cardiac event, sudden death, Swedish American Hospital, Teen age heart attack survivors blog, teen age sudden death, teen depression heart attack, Teenagers, The Widow Maker Heart Attack, The Widow Maker Heart Attack at age 48, TheDoctors, Walt Disney, Widow Maker, widow maker heart attack, widowmaker heart attack

I am tired of hearing about teenage sudden death

Oct 26

As I sit at Northwestern University Hospital waiting area I sit in frustration. Once again over the weekend I heard of yet another teenage sudden death aka heart attack, aka congenital heart defect. There must be someone that is willing to step up and take the bull by the horn and lead a movement to dramatically reduce this happening. I am soooo very tired of hearing about this traumaand how it impacts families. I prey profoundly that I am up to the challenge.

Tomorrow, Tuesday October 27, 2009 I will begin my effort. I am driven to save lives and families. I only hope that my desires are enough to make a difference.

Tags: American Heart Association, Anderson Cooper, Angina Pectoris, Angiogram, Angioplasty, Artery Blockage, Bad Diet, Blockage, Blocked Artery, Bypass, cardiac arrest, Cardiologist, cardiovascular, Cardiovascular Disease, Cheating Death, Congenital Cardiovascular Defects, Coronary Heart Attack, Coronary Heart Disease, Defibrillator, Depression, Diabetes, Disney World, Dr. Oz, Echocardiogram, EKG, Family History, Flat Line, Heart Association, Heart Atack Emotions, Heart attack, Heart Attack Brigh Light, Heart Attack Emotions, heart attack recovery, Heart Attack Risk Factors, Heart Attack Survivor blog, Heart Blog, heart disease, Heart Failure, heart hospital, Heart Hospitals, Heart Patient, Heart Stent, heart stops, Heart Transplant, Heavy Drinker, High Blood Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, High Lipids, ICU, Illinois Heart Hospital, Information Blog, Massive Heart Attack, Massive HeartAttack, miocardio infraction, Motivational Speaker, nuclear stress test, Obesity, Official Heart Attack, Official Heart Attack Blog, Official Heart Attack Survivor Blog Acute Coronary Syndrome, Official Heart Attack Web Site, Open Heart Surgery, Oprah Winfrey, Overweight, PAD, Patrick Fox, Patrick J. Fox, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Plavix, Post Traumatic Stess Disorder, Power Walking, Rockford Heart Hospital, Sanjay Gupta, Shortness of Breath, Smoker, Sonja Gupta, Stroke, sudden cardiac event, sudden death, Swedish American Hospital, Teen age heart attack survivors blog, teen age sudden death, teen depression heart attack, Teenagers, The Widow Maker Heart Attack, The Widow Maker Heart Attack at age 48, TheDoctors, Walt Disney, Widow Maker, widow maker heart attack, widowmaker heart attack

The Outlaw Trail Ride..

Oct 22

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Heart Attack Medical Information Blog, Official Heart Attack Survivor Blog | No Comments

This morning I searched out one of my “Living List” objectives. I was very pleased to discover that The Outlaw Trail Ride had updated their website. I have to tell you that my heart started beating just a little bit faster as I found myself getting excited about next summer already. Granted not every heart attack survivor has a life goal of completing the 110 mile Outlaw Trail Ride, but I for one have it ranked in my top 5.

The Outlaw Trail Ride http://www.rideoutlawtrail.com/ promises to be a fantastic experience. The more I contemplate my “Living List” the more excited I get about life. I would suggest that all heart attack survivors find their “Living List”. Please share your “Living List” with us as perhaps we could join you if that opportunity exists.

If any of you folks would like to join me on my trip next summer please let me know. I would love to have a heart attack survivor Outlaw Trail Ride.

Tags: Acute Coronary Syndrome, American Heart Association, Anderson Cooper, Angina Pectoris, Angiogram, Angioplasty, Artery Blockage, Bad Diet, Blockage, Blocked Artery, Bypass, cardiac arrest, Cardiologist, cardiovascular, Cardiovascular Disease, Cheating Death, Congenital Cardiovascular Defects, Coronary Heart Attack, Coronary Heart Disease, Defibrillator, Depression, Diabetes, Disney World, Dr. Oz, Echocardiogram, EKG, Family History, Flat Line, Heart Association, Heart Atack Emotions, Heart attack, Heart Attack Brigh Light, Heart Attack Emotions, heart attack recovery, Heart Attack Risk Factors, Heart Attack Survivor blog, Heart Blog, heart disease, Heart Failure, heart hospital, Heart Hospitals, Heart Patient, Heart Stent, heart stops, Heart Transplant, Heavy Drinker, High Blood Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, High Lipids, ICU, Illinois Heart Hospital, Massive Heart Attack, Massive HeartAttack, miocardio infraction, Motivational Speaker, nuclear stress test, Obesity, Official Heart Attack, Official Heart Attack Blog, Official Heart Attack Web Site, Open Heart Surgery, Oprah Winfrey, Overweight, PAD, Patrick Fox, Patrick J. Fox, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Plavix, Post Traumatic Stess Disorder, Power Walking, Rockford Heart Hospital, Sanjay Gupta, Shortness of Breath, Smoker, Sonja Gupta, Stroke, sudden cardiac event, sudden death, Swedish American Hospital, Teen age heart attack survivors blog, teen age sudden death, teen depression heart attack, Teenagers, The Widow Maker Heart Attack, The Widow Maker Heart Attack at age 48, TheDoctors, Walt Disney, Widow Maker, widow maker heart attack, widowmaker heart attack

High School Sudden Death

Oct 22

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Eliminating Congenital Cardiovascular Defects Blog, Heart Attack Medical Information Blog | No Comments

The more I read about high school aged kids playing football, or tennis and hear of them suddenly falling dead the more I feel the need for a national effort to get high school aged kids heart checked. As a parent of two great kids I could not imagine the incredible nightmare of losing my son or daughter during their high school career.

I have done some research to find out the EKG is currently the most accurate test for Congenital Cardiovascular Defects. I remain concerned that it is not perfect, but I guess you have to make do with what is available. Given the harsh facts that 4,000 high school aged youth die each and every year, there must be something that can be done to help.

“An EKG can only detect 40% of those at risk for sudden cardiac death. There are some conditions that cannot be detected with an EKG. Until further testing is available this is the best tool to detect those at risk.”

CNN Sanjay Gupta – Cheating Death

Oct 22

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Heart Attack Medical Information Blog, Official Heart Attack Survivor Blog | No Comments

I very much enjoy watching CNN and Sanjay Gupta.Gupta is a pretty outstanding figure for heath care. However, there are times when I think really bad things happening to people is hyped more than what they should in my opinion. The topic CNN is currently focused on Cheating Death has been done exceptionally well. I can speak first person when I say that cheating death is something that I am very proud of accomplishing.

The moment I was told in the ICU that I had flat-lined 6 times will be a moment that I will never forget. That moment was one of total disbelief and shock. At the same time it helped confirm what I had experienced in thoughts regarding seeing the bright light, closer to God, tranquility, calmness followed by feeling of reaching Mount Everest.

Whenever I watch CNN and Sanjay my first reflex when I realize his story is next I want to turn channels as I emotionally do not want to go there again. My second reflex is that I want to learn from other peoples experiences. While I no longer live thinking death is bad, as I am no longer afraid of it, I find myself reliving my experience for sometimes an entire day when I watch Guptas story.

Cheating Death is something that I will always feel good about, the fact is that we really never cheat death but rather delay. If Sanjay ever called me I would insist that my story be focused on what took place in my life that led up to the “cheating death” opportunity. I would very much want viewers to see how heart disease can be devastating, traumatic, and in the end fatal. My story Sanjay would be a heart attack commercial with a cheating death chaser…and not the highlight of the story.

Tags: Acute Coronary Syndrome, American Heart Association, Anderson Cooper, Angina Pectoris, Angiogram, Angioplasty, Artery Blockage, Bad Diet, Blockage, Blocked Artery, Bypass, cardiac arrest, Cardiologist, cardiovascular, Cardiovascular Disease, Cheating Death, Congenital Cardiovascular Defects, Coronary Heart Attack, Coronary Heart Disease, Defibrillator, Depression, Diabetes, Disney World, Dr. Oz, Echocardiogram, EKG, Family History, Flat Line, Heart Association, Heart Atack Emotions, Heart attack, Heart Attack Brigh Light, Heart Attack Emotions, heart attack recovery, Heart Attack Risk Factors, Heart Attack Survivor blog, Heart Blog, heart disease, Heart Failure, heart hospital, Heart Hospitals, Heart Patient, Heart Stent, heart stops, Heart Transplant, Heavy Drinker, High Blood Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, High Lipids, ICU, Illinois Heart Hospital, Massive Heart Attack, Massive HeartAttack, miocardio infraction, Motivational Speaker, nuclear stress test, Obesity, Official Heart Attack, Official Heart Attack Blog, Official Heart Attack Web Site, Open Heart Surgery, Oprah Winfrey, Overweight, PAD, Patrick Fox, Patrick J. Fox, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Plavix, Post Traumatic Stess Disorder, Power Walking, Rockford Heart Hospital, Shortness of Breath, Smoker, Sonja Gupta, Stroke, sudden cardiac event, sudden death, Swedish American Hospital, Teen age heart attack survivors blog, teen age sudden death, teen depression heart attack, Teenagers, The Widow Maker Heart Attack, The Widow Maker Heart Attack at age 48, TheDoctors, Walt Disney, Widow Maker, widow maker heart attack, widowmaker heart attack

The Widow Maker Heart Attack

By a heart attack survivor for heart attack survivors

Archive for category Heart Attack Medical Information Blog

Recent Blog Posts

Categories

Archives

Recent Posts