Cheney's heart

[riverwalker]

I guess this is for medical people out there. O.K, we all know Cheney has a "bad heart", but I am reading John Dean's book, and I am struck by something. (First of all, it's incredible, so RUN out and get this book!) Cheney just doesn't have a "heart condition" this guy is almost ready for hospice. I am a coronary care nurse, so I take care of guys like him every day. First of all, he admits to at least 4 MI's, but probably more since he is so secretive. He had bypass 20 years ago, and thats about as long as they last. In most cases he would have another, but there is not enough viable heart left to bypass. He would die on the table, as they say, and doctors would refuse surgery. He has CHF and an EF so low, they had to place an ICD (meaning his heart is so stretched out and flabby from the heart attacks, he is at risk for fatal fibrillation.) He had a stent placed after another MI in 2000,so his grafts are already plugging up again. This guy is on borrowed time, and this is just based on what medical conditions he admits to. It's worse if he is diabetic, or has kidney problems or something else in the mix. I think the reason no one ever sees him is because #1) he is on oxygen #2) or on intermittent IV dopamine or natracor drips, we do that in end stage heart failure. He probably pops nitros like candy, and his sex life would be non-existent. (and Viagra would kill him.) As secretive as they are, I would not be surprised if he is nursed round the clock and they drag him out in front the cameras every now and then in very controlled situations. I guess my point is, the SOB is much sicker than they want us to believe.