So late last year my Dad had a stroke, before passing at the start of 2022. Anyways, I was getting a little bit of, not pain, but a ‘lightless’ / funny feeling in my chest. My GP put it down to stress. They recommended an Echo.
It came back clear but with a mildly reduced systolic function in the left ventricle. In Peter Attia’s Drive episode 10 with Matt K, they mention a dog (n of 1) that showed improved heart function after a course of Rapa.
I’ve been on Rapa now for a few months, intend on staying on too, and then going for another Echo mid to late 2023 (GP mentioned to get one every couple of years).
It will be interesting to see if the Rapa has had any positive effect.
Has anyone out there already done this or has a similar story? I would love to hear about your before and after experience.
Review{yes you have to read through his site] Dr. Alan Greens web site{ https://rapamycintherapy.com ] , he started taking rapamycin to treat his heart issue.
I had this condition before I started Rapa. It was detected immediately after my kidney transplant. I had my last echo done last year and it did not show it. Have been taking Rapa for 12+ years: started taking intermittently 7 years ago approx.
This was a small number of dogs and, from memory, this dog had a pre-existing heart issue(was it a Doberman?) and the owner had done scans. I think they were able to compare these with scans after Rapa to show improvement.
I’m heading for another Echo soon. It will be interesting to see if there are any differences given that I will have been on Rapa for a touch over 6 months. Will post both the before and after reports here.
In preparation for it (as I’m not medically trained), I’ve been doing some research and came across a couple of really good (in my opinion) YouTube videos.
In these clips, the cardiologist unpacks the echo report and the vocabulary associated with it.
I’ve shared them below for others that might have an echo report of their own that they want to review while they watch these clips:
It’s an update on my mildly reduced systolic function in the left ventrical. The most recent test showed that it’s still there. This means that after almost 14 years on Rapa, it did not improve in my case.
The “No Silver Bullets” theory of health improvement continues to hold steady, darn it. I have my own list of improvements I have hopes for. I’m only 5 mos into rapa so I can continue to dream.
Rapamycin slows down aging. If you are young I wouldn’t expect any subjective or even any discernable improvements in blood markers. The benefits will likely only show up when you are older and are more fit and healthy compared to your peers who are not taking rapamycin. IMO: Exercise is the number one healthspan improver. Rapamycin is currently the most proven lifespan improver.
Arthritis is a common health issue for dogs as they get older, as with humans.
I think it has already been noted by dog owners who are giving their older dogs rapamycin that it did improve walking, stair climbing, etc,
I am continually amazed at how pain-free I have become after starting rapamycin. It happened after the first few months of taking rapamycin. The most notable effects of taking rapamycin for ~two years were the disappearance of age-related “essential tremors”, improved skin condition, and becoming essentially pain-free.
I have not noted any changes in my blood markers, except that they became worse on a high rapamycin dosage. Right now I am taking 3mg weekly with grapefruit juice and my markers are all good.
