Long-Term Survival in Cardiac Patients | Spontaneous Remission Database

Abstract

A number of case histories are presented to illustrate the long survival of some cardiac patients. All physicians encounter such patients and, because of this ability to survive for many years, these patients are often advanced in age. Many examples of this type can be found in the literature. Long survival is possible in cardiac patients of all types, even some with congenital defects, and because of this, heart disease should be treated optimistically and without regard to the fact that the patient may be an individual of advanced years with heart disease of long standing.

Case Details

Personal Characteristics

F. D. Was first seen by one of us (p. D. W.) in 1947 at the age of 47. He had always been very healthy, active, and busy and played a considerable amount of golf each summer. He had no symptoms but, since many of his friends had died recently of heart trouble, he became concerned about himself and desired a checkup. He smoked two or three cigarettes a day and rarely used alcohol.

Clinical Characteristics

In early january, 1955, he thought he should have a checkup because of slight indigestion recently. he reported that he had continued to be very healthy and active until four weeks before the examination when, a few days after he stopped smoking and while very tired from overwork, he was troubled by substernal burning and oppressive pain which lasted a few minutes if he was walking far, fast, or upgrade. There was no radiation of the pain. This discomfort had recurred almost daily but never while he was at rest. He had experienced pain while playing ping pong and sawing wood. A recent gastrointestinal x-ray study had shown no abnormalities except for a questionable hiatus hernia.

Remission Characteristics

On february 14, 1955, he reported that he had been very well during the previous four and 1/2 weeks with no need for nitroglycerine. Physical examination showed him to be looking well. His weight was 153 1/2 pounds, down 14 1/2 pounds. The pulse was regular at 54 and the blood pressure was 130 mmhg systolic and 80 mmhg diastolic. The heart examination showed good sounds, the first doubled at the apex, with no murmurs. The electrocardiogram was considerably improved but not yet normal. The serum cholesterol was 248 mg/100 ml. He was re-examined at six-month intervals and by august, 1956, his electrocardiogram had returned to normal and he had no symptoms. When he was last seen in 1966 at the age of 66, his pulse was regular at 58, the blood pressure was 110 mmhg systolic and 70 mmhg diastolic and the heart sounds were good, the first doubled, with no murmurs. Fluoroscopy was normal. The electrocardiogram was normal in all 12 leads. He was considered to be in excellent health with complete recovery from his trouble eleven years earlier.

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

The value of serial checkups to establish a base line of normality; the demonstration of the onset of temporary coronary heart disease by both symptoms and electrocardiogram; the complete clearing of the trouble, as shown by disappearance of both the angina pectoris and the electrocardiographic abnormality in the course of eighteen months, and the probable benefit of common sense measures such as weight loss, reasonable avoidance of stressful situations, temporary rest at home, and the liberal use of glyceryl trinitrate, without the imposition of complete invalidism.

Clinical Treatment

He was advised to rest at home for two weeks, eat a light diet especially low in animal fat, lose weight, and use nitrites whenever necessary.

Non-Clinical Treatment

Weight loss, reasonable avoidance of stressful situations, temporary rest at home, and the liberal use of glyceryl trinitrate