Had a Heart Attack today at age ~30. Be safe guys.

I’m really sorry you had to go through that, man. That must have been terrifying. The most important thing is that you caught it in time and got proper care. Take it slow now and give yourself room to recover, nothing in the gym is worth risking your heart. Wishing you a smooth recovery and many calm, healthy training sessions ahead.
 
That must have been terrifying
As weird as it sounds, I've had 2 other near-death experiences, and I sort of made my peace while it was happening that maybe this was the one, and if so I had a pretty good run.

This is going to sound dumb, but I was planning on competing next year for the first time and I think I'm more upset about how that's going to work now (if at all), and what my fitness/BB'ing is going to look like moving forward.

I don't really have any other hobbies/interests =/
 
As weird as it sounds, I've had 2 other near-death experiences, and I sort of made my peace while it was happening that maybe this was the one, and if so I had a pretty good run.

This is going to sound dumb, but I was planning on competing next year for the first time and I think I'm more upset about how that's going to work now (if at all), and what my fitness/BB'ing is going to look like moving forward.

I don't really have any other hobbies/interests =/
This isn't the end, just a speed bump, have to be more vigilante than ever and "smarter" but life continues merrily on.
 
Wow crazy stuff man, glad you're doing ok. Thanks for sharing the info. I'm up for a heart CT Calcium score this week. $150 out of pocket. Hopefully if there is anything going on it can identify.

Be aware that, especially for those under 45, a zero CAC may give false reassurance.

There's been a flurry of studies on this in the last year, and while 85% of patients under 45 have a zero CAC score, in one study 25% of under 45's with 0 CAC had significant blockage of arteries. 10% had blockages greater than 70%!

The main risk factor was high LDL.

All the research and data is pointing to future guidelines targeting LDL much earlier, as early as 18, and driving it lower. (after all, it's not hard to understand preventing buildup from the start is the best approach). Guidelines are conservative, prioritize conserving resources, and because they require a lot of consensus always lag a decade or more behind the leading edge science.

 
Very sorry to hear about this brother. Glad that you are making a recovery. It is very scary considering those lipid labs look really good.

I may be confusing you with another member but are you the one with the HCT of 60? If so, did the docs say anything about that being a factor?

And you were on a statin when this occurred?
 
Last edited:
@Ghoul I do think there is an "x factor" missing from the equation of all of this (blood lipids and cardiac events etc). I feel like there needs to be a better way to determine plaque formation/build up/ predictability and a focus on potential avenues for stabilization/regression which does not seem to be showing in the literature. I know you and I have spoken about vascepa (icosapent ethyl) which I am currently on 4g/day, but when I asked my cardiologist about figuring out a way to determine efficacy he was a bit flabbergasted.
 
The main risk factor was high LDL.

All the research and data is pointing to future guidelines targeting LDL much earlier, as early as 18, and driving it lower. (after all, it's not hard to understand preventing buildup from the start is the best approach). Guidelines are conservative, prioritize conserving resources, and because they require a lot of consensus always lag a decade or more behind the leading edge science.
The more I read about this, the more terrifying it gets.

The logical question, if LDL causes plaque, and plaque leads to heart attacks 100% of the time if grown large enough, is how to reduce the size of plaque deposits.

Well, as it turns out:


Magnitude reality check: even with very aggressive therapy, average regression is modest (often ~1% PAV).
The win is fewer soft plaques, thicker fibrous caps, and lower event rates; not "clean" arteries.

All our data points to a less-than-1% possible reduction in percent atheroma volume.

The best you can hope for is calcification/solidification of existing plaque to stabilize it and prevent ruptures, along with maximal reduction of further buildup.

Or put simply: We have a lipid "savings account", and once you've overdrawn your lifetime balance, you're shit-outta-luck.

Absolutely horrifying.
 
There's only one non-invasive way to view both calcified and non-calcified plaque, and it's a newer procedure that's not super common AFAIK


Worth checking to see if you can get it done

Clearly exam… as well and is supposed to be amazing… im gunna get one and go thru prenuvo for a full body scan… once i sell a kidney for the cost of it all
 
As weird as it sounds, I've had 2 other near-death experiences, and I sort of made my peace while it was happening that maybe this was the one, and if so I had a pretty good run.

This is going to sound dumb, but I was planning on competing next year for the first time and I think I'm more upset about how that's going to work now (if at all), and what my fitness/BB'ing is going to look like moving forward.

I don't really have any other hobbies/interests =/
Man, that’s a lot to process, and I’m really glad you’re still here to talk about it. Having peace in that moment says a lot about how strong you are inside.

As for competing - the stage isn’t going anywhere. You’ve already proven you can push through tough stuff, and now the goal is just to get healthy enough to enjoy it when the time’s right. Maybe this is your chance to pick up a side hobby too… just something that doesn’t involve trying to outlift a heart attack.

For now, focus on getting better and letting your body catch up. The barbell will wait, and so will the stage.
 

There was a significant reduction in the primary endpoint as IPE reduced LAP plaque volume by 17%
 
Be aware that, especially for those under 45, a zero CAC may give false reassurance.

There's been a flurry of studies on this in the last year, and while 85% of patients under 45 have a zero CAC score, in one study 25% of under 45's with 0 CAC had significant blockage of arteries. 10% had blockages greater than 70%!

The main risk factor was high LDL.

All the research and data is pointing to future guidelines targeting LDL much earlier, as early as 18, and driving it lower. (after all, it's not hard to understand preventing buildup from the start is the best approach). Guidelines are conservative, prioritize conserving resources, and because they require a lot of consensus always lag a decade or more behind the leading edge science.


Im probably a ticking time bomb then with an ldl of 177 for 20 yrs….
 
Very sorry to hear about this brother. Glad that you are making a recovery. It is very scary considering those lipid labs look really good.

I may be confusing you with another member but are you the one with the HCT of 60? If so, did the docs say anything about that being a factor?

Thanks for the wishes, mate.

I'll post my full labs.
I had quite extensive bloodwork done recently.

My hematocrit was 42 as of like a week ago.

(Ignore the crazy HS-CRP value, I had this tested post workout on a bunch of stim pre-workout)

My LDL/HDL were because of 4 weeks 50mg Winstrol, but as you can see LDL is already recovered + HDL is halfway there.

Code:
Biomarker,Value,Unit,Measurement Date
white-blood-cell-count,10.1,10*3/uL,2025-09-09
red-blood-cell-count,4.6,million/uL,2025-09-09
hemoglobin,13.3,g/dL,2025-09-09
hematocrit,42,%,2025-09-09
mcv,91.3,fL,2025-09-09
mch,28.9,pg,2025-09-09
mchc,31.7,g/dL,2025-09-09
rdw-cv,15.4,%,2025-09-09
platelet-count,496,10*3/uL,2025-09-09
mpv,9.7,fL,2025-09-09
absolute-neutrophils,6656,cells/uL,2025-09-09
absolute-lymphocytes,2374,cells/uL,2025-09-09
absolute-monocytes,808,cells/uL,2025-09-09
absolute-eosinophils,192,cells/uL,2025-09-09
absolute-basophils,71,cells/uL,2025-09-09
neutrophils-percentage,65.9,%,2025-09-09
lymphocytes-percentage,23.5,%,2025-09-09
monocytes-percentage,8,%,2025-09-09
eosinophils-percentage,1.9,%,2025-09-09
basophils-percentage,0.7,%,2025-09-09
tsh,3.99,mIU/L,2025-09-09
t4-free,1.5,ng/dL,2025-09-09
t3-free,5,pg/mL,2025-09-09
ferritin,152,ng/mL,2025-09-09
hba1c,5.1,%,2025-09-09
potassium,5.4,mmol/L,2025-09-09
chloride,102,mmol/L,2025-09-09
carbon-dioxide,27,mmol/L,2025-09-09
calcium,10.5,mg/dL,2025-09-09
protein-total,7.8,g/dL,2025-09-09
albumin,4.4,g/dL,2025-09-09
alp,23,U/L,2025-09-09
cholesterol-total,152,mg/dL,2025-09-09
hdl,9,mg/dL,2025-09-09
triglycerides,156,mg/dL,2025-09-09
ldl,116,mg/dL,2025-09-09
cholesterol-hdl-c-ratio,16.9,ratio,2025-09-09
non-hdl-cholesterol,143,mg/dL,2025-09-09
glucose,80,mg/dL,2025-09-09
bun,26,mg/dL,2025-09-09
creatinine,1.23,mg/dL,2025-09-09
egfr,82,mL/min/1.73m2,2025-09-09
bun-creatinine-ratio,21,ratio,2025-09-09
sodium,138,mmol/L,2025-09-09
globulin,3.4,g/dL,2025-09-09
albumin-globulin-ratio,1.3,ratio,2025-09-09
total-bilirubin,0.4,mg/dL,2025-09-09
ast,51,U/L,2025-09-09
alt,31,U/L,2025-09-09
ggt,30,U/L,2025-09-09
t4-total,3.2,mcg/dL,2025-09-09
insulin,6.6,uIU/mL,2025-09-09
ldl-hdl-ratio,12.89,ratio,2025-09-09
triglyceride-hdl-c-ratio,17.33,ratio,2025-09-09
anion-gap,9,mmol/L,2025-09-09
magnesium-rbc,5.3,mg/dL,2025-09-11
shbg,3,nmol/L,2025-09-11
igf-1,132,ng/mL,2025-09-12
igf-1-z-score,,SD,2025-09-12
total-testosterone,1610,ng/dL,2025-09-12
free-testosterone-direct-ms,708.1,pg/mL,2025-09-12
testosterone-bioavailable,1487,ng/dL,2025-09-12
hs-crp,19.1,mg/L,2025-09-16
cortisol,6.4,mcg/dL,2025-09-17
copper-serum,101,mcg/dL,2025-09-18
zinc-serum,57,mcg/dL,2025-09-18
apob,85,mg/dL,2025-09-19
 
Thanks for the wishes, mate.

I'll post my full labs.
I had quite extensive bloodwork done recently.

My hematocrit was 42 as of like a week ago.

(Ignore the crazy HS-CRP value, I had this tested post workout on a bunch of stim pre-workout)

My LDL/HDL were because of 4 weeks 50mg Winstrol, but as you can see LDL is already recovered + HDL is halfway there.

Code:
Biomarker,Value,Unit,Measurement Date
white-blood-cell-count,10.1,10*3/uL,2025-09-09
red-blood-cell-count,4.6,million/uL,2025-09-09
hemoglobin,13.3,g/dL,2025-09-09
hematocrit,42,%,2025-09-09
mcv,91.3,fL,2025-09-09
mch,28.9,pg,2025-09-09
mchc,31.7,g/dL,2025-09-09
rdw-cv,15.4,%,2025-09-09
platelet-count,496,10*3/uL,2025-09-09
mpv,9.7,fL,2025-09-09
absolute-neutrophils,6656,cells/uL,2025-09-09
absolute-lymphocytes,2374,cells/uL,2025-09-09
absolute-monocytes,808,cells/uL,2025-09-09
absolute-eosinophils,192,cells/uL,2025-09-09
absolute-basophils,71,cells/uL,2025-09-09
neutrophils-percentage,65.9,%,2025-09-09
lymphocytes-percentage,23.5,%,2025-09-09
monocytes-percentage,8,%,2025-09-09
eosinophils-percentage,1.9,%,2025-09-09
basophils-percentage,0.7,%,2025-09-09
tsh,3.99,mIU/L,2025-09-09
t4-free,1.5,ng/dL,2025-09-09
t3-free,5,pg/mL,2025-09-09
ferritin,152,ng/mL,2025-09-09
hba1c,5.1,%,2025-09-09
potassium,5.4,mmol/L,2025-09-09
chloride,102,mmol/L,2025-09-09
carbon-dioxide,27,mmol/L,2025-09-09
calcium,10.5,mg/dL,2025-09-09
protein-total,7.8,g/dL,2025-09-09
albumin,4.4,g/dL,2025-09-09
alp,23,U/L,2025-09-09
cholesterol-total,152,mg/dL,2025-09-09
hdl,9,mg/dL,2025-09-09
triglycerides,156,mg/dL,2025-09-09
ldl,116,mg/dL,2025-09-09
cholesterol-hdl-c-ratio,16.9,ratio,2025-09-09
non-hdl-cholesterol,143,mg/dL,2025-09-09
glucose,80,mg/dL,2025-09-09
bun,26,mg/dL,2025-09-09
creatinine,1.23,mg/dL,2025-09-09
egfr,82,mL/min/1.73m2,2025-09-09
bun-creatinine-ratio,21,ratio,2025-09-09
sodium,138,mmol/L,2025-09-09
globulin,3.4,g/dL,2025-09-09
albumin-globulin-ratio,1.3,ratio,2025-09-09
total-bilirubin,0.4,mg/dL,2025-09-09
ast,51,U/L,2025-09-09
alt,31,U/L,2025-09-09
ggt,30,U/L,2025-09-09
t4-total,3.2,mcg/dL,2025-09-09
insulin,6.6,uIU/mL,2025-09-09
ldl-hdl-ratio,12.89,ratio,2025-09-09
triglyceride-hdl-c-ratio,17.33,ratio,2025-09-09
anion-gap,9,mmol/L,2025-09-09
magnesium-rbc,5.3,mg/dL,2025-09-11
shbg,3,nmol/L,2025-09-11
igf-1,132,ng/mL,2025-09-12
igf-1-z-score,,SD,2025-09-12
total-testosterone,1610,ng/dL,2025-09-12
free-testosterone-direct-ms,708.1,pg/mL,2025-09-12
testosterone-bioavailable,1487,ng/dL,2025-09-12
hs-crp,19.1,mg/L,2025-09-16
cortisol,6.4,mcg/dL,2025-09-17
copper-serum,101,mcg/dL,2025-09-18
zinc-serum,57,mcg/dL,2025-09-18
apob,85,mg/dL,2025-09-19
This is really scary. There’s nothing on your labs that would suggest something like this was imminent or even possible. I assume your BP was also controlled / normal?
 

There was a significant reduction in the primary endpoint as IPE reduced LAP plaque volume by 17%

I neeed some if this vascepa fish oils
 
Damn.. Without indiscretions, what were you on? I'm on Telmisartan/Ezetimibe, but that made me think about adding a statin and maybe aspirin.
 
Right now my heart meds are as follows

Telmisartan 20mg
Cilnidipine 5mg (please India open back up ...thanks your friend wiz)
Icosapent Ethyl 4g 2x2g
Repatha 140 EOW
and I am considering 1mg or 2mg Pitavastatin for further lowering down the road.

BP is great, Cholesterol vastly vastly improved and dropping every 3 months. This is something to consider down the line.
Seems it’s only indicated for folks with hi triglycerides. Not sure if I’m missing something.

Summary​

Icosapent ethyl was rigorously shown to decrease residual risk for cardiovascular events, though the benefits seen were likely because of mechanisms beyond mere triglyceride lowering
 
Damn.. Without indiscretions, what were you on? I'm on Telmisartan/Ezetimibe, but that made me think about adding a statin and maybe aspirin.
If you’re on gear you should be on a statin. Pitavastatin if you can. Rosuvastatin otherwise.
 

Sponsors

Latest posts

Back
Top