# Cardiac Odyssey

> A detailed, first-person account of early-onset coronary artery disease in an endurance athlete — covering diagnosis, treatment, complications, and recovery.

This website documents the personal cardiovascular journey of an otherwise healthy endurance cyclist who suffered an NSTEMI (heart attack) and underwent PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) with drug-eluting stents. It combines clinical narrative with evidence-based discussion of cardiovascular topics.

The site is intended for patients, carers, and anyone interested in understanding cardiovascular disease from a personal perspective. It is not medical advice.

## Timeline

The chronological narrative is divided into phases:

- [The Subtle Decline](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/timeline/subtle-decline): Early warning signs over 12 months before diagnosis.
- [The Not-So-Subtle Decline](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/timeline/not-so-subtle-decline): Escalating symptoms leading to medical investigation.
- [Diagnosis & PCI](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/timeline/diagnosis): NSTEMI diagnosis, coronary angiography, and stent placement.
- [Recovery & Retraining](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/timeline/recovery-retraining): Cardiac rehabilitation and return to endurance sport.
- [Drug-Induced Hepatitis](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/timeline/drug-induced-hepatitis): Liver injury caused by atorvastatin.
- [Pericarditis & Myocarditis](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/timeline/pericarditis-myocarditis): Inflammatory cardiac complications.
- [Recurrent Hepatitis](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/timeline/recurrent-hepatitis): Second episode of drug-induced liver injury.
- [COVID & Pericarditis](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/timeline/covid-pericarditis): Viral trigger for recurrent pericardial inflammation.
- [Chronic Pericarditis](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/timeline/chronic-pericarditis): Ongoing pericardial disease management.
- [Corticosteroids](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/timeline/corticosteroids): Steroid treatment for refractory pericarditis.
- [Unresolved Questions](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/timeline/unresolved-questions): Open clinical questions arising from the case.

## Clinical Topics

In-depth explorations of specific cardiovascular subjects:

- [Diagnostic Tests](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/diagnostic-tests): ECG, echocardiography, stress testing, coronary angiography, and advanced imaging.
- [Coronary Stent Risks](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/coronary-stents): Potential complications associated with coronary stents.
- [Lipids & Lipid Control](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/lipids): Cholesterol management and lipid optimization strategies.
- [Inclisiran in England](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/inclisiran): Novel siRNA therapy availability and access in England.
- [Anti-Platelet Therapies](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/antiplatelet): Aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors, and dual antiplatelet therapy.
- [Pericarditis & Myopericarditis](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/pericarditis): Pericardial inflammation — causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
- [TRT & Cardiovascular Risk](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/trt): Testosterone replacement therapy and heart disease.
- [Dysautonomia](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/dysautonomia): Autonomic dysfunction, HRV, and respiratory control.
- [Calculators & Converters](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/calculators): Medical and fitness calculators.
- [Aches & Pains](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/aches-pains): Differentiating cardiac from non-cardiac symptoms.
- [Gadgets & Technology](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/gadgets): Consumer health device reviews.
- [Ice Baths, SCUBA & Esoterica](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/topics/esoterica): Recreational activities with cardiovascular implications.

## Other Pages

- [Glossary](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/glossary): Medical terminology definitions.
- [References](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/references): Academic and clinical sources cited throughout.
- [Figures](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/figures): Charts, diagrams, and medical images.
- [Discussion](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/discussion): Community discussion forum.
- [Contact](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/contact): Contact the author.
- [Privacy Policy](https://cardiac-odyssey.org/privacy): Data handling and privacy information.

## Key Facts

- Author: An endurance athlete and cyclist in their 40s, based in the UK.
- Condition: Early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD) leading to NSTEMI.
- Treatment: PCI with three XIENCE drug-eluting stents in the Diagonal and Circumflex arteries.
- Complications: Drug-induced hepatitis (atorvastatin), recurrent/chronic pericarditis, dysautonomia.
- The site contains approximately 35,000 words of clinical narrative and analysis.
- This is a personal case study, not medical advice.