In the short term . . .

Older individuals who undergo knee or hip replacement are at high risk for myocardial infarction (MI) [heart attack]  in the first postoperative month, a general population-based study found.

In the long run, joint replacements benefit the heart health.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/298756.php

Among those with hip OA who underwent hip arthroplasty, 128 had a heart attack during follow-up, compared with 138 controls. However, the team notes heart attack incidence was higher for hip arthroplasty patients in the first 6 months following the procedure, before declining to a lower level than those who did not have surgery.

The researchers also found that patients who underwent hip or knee arthroplasty were at greater risk of VTE - a collective term for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) - years after the procedure, compared with controls.

DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the lower leg, thigh or pelvis. PE is a common complication of DVT, occurring when a blood clot breaks off and makes its way to the lungs via the bloodstream. It is estimated that around 300,000-600,000 people in the US develop DVT or PE every year.

Title of the research article: “Total joint arthroplasty and the risk of myocardial infarction - a general population, propensity score-matched cohort study,”  Yuqing Zhang et al., Arthritis & Rheumatology, doi: 10.1002/art.39246, published online 31 August 2015, abstract.

Yes, I’m still in Virginia!

I’ve now cycled over 440 miles since Christmas and am still in Virginia according to “Tools to Keep You Active” chart. This photo is near Cedar Springs, VA, in  Wythe County. The health sites say your waist needs  to be at least one half your height measurement, and exercise should be 30 minutes a day. At least for certain health problems.   I’ve lost 22 pounds. No more leg pain. Well, that was easy. Medicare has spent thousands on tests in 2014 for me for blood clots and poor circulation all of which were negative, and all I needed to do was stop snacking, eat more healthy meals and exercise more. Nothing like lugging 40 extra pounds around to make your legs hurt. While I exercise on the bike I also use a finger strengthener.  I always had to ask for help to open detergent bottles or olives or even juice.  I think plastic bottles are sometimes the worst because it’s hard to get a grip. Hand strength is coming a bit more slowly; not sure I’ve seen improvement.

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Compression hose

I've been checking regularly on my daughter, diagnosed with deep vein thombosis (DVT) a week ago. She had three shots in her abdomen to dissolve the clot, and is now on coumadin. She says that although she still has a lot of pain, the compression hose help a lot. Since we're flying to Ireland in the fall, I thought I'd try them. Her vascular surgeon (actually not "hers" specifically, but she has worked with him in his medical practice and he is consulting with her) recommends that everyone wear compression hose for travel--even men. There are medical level and comfort level, so I went to CVS and bought a $15 pair of compression hose designated 8-15 for tired legs. My legs weren't tired, but I am only experimenting, remember.

Before I put them on, both my shoes and the waist band in my slacks fit. Within 2 minutes of putting them on (and that's not easy), the shoes were too big and the waist band too small. It's the first time I've ever had any body part go north instead of south.

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Deep Vein Thrombosis

If you see a leg on local TV tonight, it's not Dick Cheney's, it's my daughter's. He flew 25,000 miles; all she did was fly to Florida to give a workshop, a two hour trip. There's apparently a number of myths about DVT, because she and I knew them all--like long flights and older people. But her vascular surgeon who told her she shouldn't have ignored the pain, says the cabin pressure, wearing high heels at the workshop, standing on her feet long hours, then getting back on the plane and not enough hydration, had a lot to do with it. He told her he's had a number of patients in their 30s who travel a lot develop pulmonary embolisms and not survive.

She was taking an antibiotic for a sinus infection, and thought this was why she was having leg pain. Also, because of her thyroid cancer of some years back, she is calcium deficient and gets leg pains from that, so thought maybe she just needed some calcium. Then she caught the flu from her husband and was sick over the week-end, and she works in a doctor's office, so you know how those folks are. By today she knew something was really wrong with her leg, but kept thinking it was a muscle or tendon. She finally agreed to a doppler test because the pain was so bad and her ankle was swelling. She was stunned to hear she had a blood clot moving up into her thigh. Her employer/doctor who does a medical story once a week on WSYX was planning to do a story on Cheney's DVT, so I think the film will be my daughter's leg. She's had a blood thinner directly into her abdomen, so we're praying this will eliminate any immediate danger. She'll be on coumadin for some time.

If you're flying, even short trips, pay attention to any unusual leg pain. FAA Safety brochure.

Update: She has finished the round of shots (extremely painful) and now has to wear compression stockings (ca. $180 a pair) to relieve the swelling, can walk upstairs only once a day, and must keep her leg elevated and do nothing physical for awhile. Her doctor told her that if we fly or even if we're just traveling in a car (men or women), we should wear compression stockings (the non-prescription type that only cost about $50).