home after heart attack

[Hermit-The-Prog]

Last edited Wed Feb 6, 2019, 12:17 PM - Edit history (2)

Don't know if this is the right forum for this.

Just got home from the hospital last night. Thought I had gallbladder troubles, next thing I know the clinic calls for an ambulance, I'm taken to a nearby hospital, people swarm all over me and they're telling me I had / am having a major heart attack. Stripped on the table, thin blanket, wheeled into 'cath lab' or 'cardiac lab' and a doctor runs something partway up my right arm, stops, then runs something up from the groin area while I'm shivering and equipment and people surround me at the edge of my vision. Got a stent for an artery that had 100% blockage.

I was told it didn't take very long at all, but it felt like a long time while I was shivering. Spent Sat., Sun., and most of Mon. laying around tethered by cables to a monitor thingy that didn't like me. It had an evil streak -- it would let me start to doze and then beep about one of the leads losing a signal. Found out on the last afternoon that it was the lead that measured respiration. It had pulled loose sometime Sunday and I had just stuck it back on one of the stick-on pegs that were scattered all over my torso. It was trying to read my respiration from a peg on my hip.

The folks at the hospital kept telling me to take it easy for a while, no matter how I felt, to avoid popping open either of the arteries the doc ran his wire (or whatever) through, so I'll post this and go fall over for a while. Have to take some stupid medicine twice a day for forever now. Still can't wrap my head around the fact I had a heart attack.

Might be a while before getting back to this.

*****

EDIT TO ADD:

Wow, folks! I am overwhelmed by your response! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I don't get emotional, usually, but I'm typing through tears right now. Never expected such a response. Thank you, every one! Will try to answer individually as I can sit and type more.

I posted just in case someone else out there has symptoms that do not match television and movies, you know, the scene where the old person clutches the chest, grimaces and falls over. Nothing like that happened to me.

Shortly after breakfast Friday morning, I felt queasy around the abdomen. This was followed by a pinching sensation under each arm at the bundle of muscle at the front of each armpit, extending a little into the pectoral muscles. Think of how your arm feels if you hang it over a car window that's not quite all the way down. That came and went over several hours. Late Friday afternoon, my son tried to convince me to go to a clinic, urgent care facility or hospital E.R. I'm stubborn.

By late Friday night, I was miserable, but still convinced it was gallbladder problems. It was the most miserable night I've ever had. The queasiness (never so much as I would call nausea) stayed about the same, the pain in the front of the armpits came and went, then there was a feeling sort of like indigestion that appeared. At one point, my sternum was sensitive from top to bottom. I squirmed and moaned and tried various positions to get some relief, and started taking aspirin -- 81mg tablets at the rate of 1 per hour. That didn't do much so I doubled it to 2 per hour. This allowed me to cat-nap a few times through the night, for 15 to 30 minutes at a time. Each dosage of the little aspirins was taken with a glass of water, which meant a lot of trips to the bathroom.

Both dogs stayed close by the couch I was writhing on. At one point I tried lying face down on my bed to get some relief. When I got up, the little dog (65 lb) was staring at me from his bed across the hall. The big one (250 lb) was at the other end of the hall, aimed my way.

Here's a gross detail that may or may not be significant. I had to defecate 4 times Friday, the last time felt like fire. I've been as regular and often as sunrise for as many years as I can remember.

Saturday morning took forever to arrive. I called my son as soon as I thought he might be awake, to ask if that urgent care place would be open yet. I was convinced by this time that my gallbladder was dead from a stone cutting off circulation. When my son started presenting me with choices of facilities, I just asked him, "Will you take over?" He did, and hauled me to a reputable clinic about 30 miles away. Because of symptoms and family history, we were both still convinced it was a bad gallbladder.

After waiting about half an hour, I was called back. A lady took all my info and I sat waiting for a doctor. An old cotton-top fellow about my age or a little more came in and asked more questions, some of them the same as the lady had asked, so I asked him if he'd talked to her. He said, "Yes, but there are things here that worry me." He then ordered an EKG. Lady came in and stuck on those cold adhesive-backed electrodes and ran the wire leads to them. She tore off the printed paper, went out of the room and came back with the doctor on her heels. As she unhooked me, he said, "We've called an ambulance. You're having a heart attack."

They pretty much ignored any argument I tried to make from that point. They did ask my son which hospital he preferred. He asked the lady with the EKG and followed her recommendation.

Everybody tried to make a big deal out of how many of those 81mg tablets I took -- 25 in a little over 12 hours -- but I was within the maximum recommended dosage for the time period.

At 11:31 am, the ambulance headed out from the clinic. At 11:44, they were checking for blockages at the hospital. At about 1 pm, they wheeled me to my room.

( Right arm and hand aching some. Going to stop a while. Thanks again, folks, for sympathetic ears and support! )

*****
EDIT 2: I can't answer 'em all! Thanks again for the encouragement!

I have been smoking for 50 years. Quitting is NOT easy. All the time I was tied to that monitoring equipment, 15 cigarettes and my lighter were in a pocket in my jeans just 10 feet from my bed, in a plastic "patient belongings" bag. My typical intake of coffee per day is around a gallon (not an exaggeration), with 25 to 35 home-rolled cigarettes. Before breakfast, I would usually smoke 5 cigarettes and drink 4 cups of coffee. That would also finish off each day before bed. Each meal would be followed by 2 to 4 cigarettes and 4 cups of coffee. In between it would drop to 1 or 2 cigs and 1 or 2 cups of coffee per hour.

I did not drink any coffee in the hospital for fear it would make the cigarette cravings worse. I've tried to quit "cold turkey" many times in the past and always failed, smoking more on the rebound. This time, I have goals (that I'm exceeding) and some strong incentives. My wife drinks more coffee and smokes more, but has said she will quit if I do. We will get there.

One of the worst emotional aspects of this comes from the knowledge that my son had to travel from the clinic to the hospital while wondering if I was going to still be alive when he got there. He wasn't allowed to ride in the ambulance, because time was "critical".

[RKP5637]

1. WOW!!! So glad you made it through all of this OK. I hate it when things just strike out of

nowhere. I had one happen, not heart attack, and it came out of nowhere. Feeling pretty good one day, in hospital the next.

[ms liberty]

2. Good to see you're still hanging in there! Take care of yourself

And keep us posted on your progress!

[elleng]

3. Glad you're home, and back here.

[raging moderate]

4. Welcome home! Good for you, beating this thing!

It sounds as if you all did the right things here! Take it very easy, and be very good to yourself!

[Anon-C]

5. Hermit we are glad you are back! Post where you will

...and follow doctor's orders. We're gonna heal with you, capish?

[Ohiogal]

6. What an experience!

Glad you made it through .... rest up and get well so we can read more of your posts!

[True Dough]

7. You have anyone around the house to help you out?

Or home care nurses dropping by to check on you?

Hope it's a smooth and speedy recovery, Hermit.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

89. wife, son, daugher-in-law close by

Wife has been hanging around for 45 years, she'll probably hang around a while longer.

My son and his wife are very close by and check often.

I'm lucky.

Thank you for the good wishes.

[Ligyron]

8. Glad you're okay.

Thanks for a preview of what many of us will experience one day.

Keep us posted please.

[Snotcicles]

9. Glad you're back home, pretty frightening stuff. Better do as they say and get well. nt

[vsrazdem]

10. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

[underpants]

11. Glad to hear you are okay

[Leith]

12. We are all very concerned

Please let us know how you are doing when you can.

[pazzyanne]

13. Follow your doctor's recommendations,

and wishing for your speedy recovery!

[irisblue]

14. Dude! Stuck it on a peg on your hip....🤣. Glad you're okay.

[NBachers]

56. Yeah, how's that for "disruptive?"

[Hermit-The-Prog]

90. there were many electrodes to choose from :D

[gademocrat7]

15. Take care and take it easy.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[BigmanPigman]

16. Wow, what an experience.

I definitely have empathy for the shivering part. I always take socks, gloves, blanket, etc with me to the hospital every time I have to go there for anything. Brrrrrrrrrr!

You gave us good details that I was interesting and useful. I had no idea that is how it happens.

Being home is the best medicine for you now. I hope you have a furry baby to give you kisses and keep you comforted.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

87. big dog sneezes

The big dog was getting to the point where he wouldn't eat or drink. Wife had to put the phone on speaker so he could hear me. When I got home, he was wiggling from end to end and sneezed on me a dozen times. He's a hundred pounds heavier than I am, but he's still a "furry baby"!

[BigmanPigman]

100. That's such a doggy thing to do.

No wonder we love them so much. He missed you! The last time I was in the hospital for 3 days I missed my baby soooo much that my dad was able to bring her into the hospital (my request of course) with no problem and she slept behind me on my hospital bed for an hour. She was finally able to get some rest...worried about me. She is only 7 pounds and was 13 years old at the time so she was not a visible trouble maker. It was the best medicine I received the whole time there.

[Phentex]

17. Sounds surreal!

Glad you are okay. HEY! REST like they told you to!

[appalachiablue]

18. Glad you're alright, please keep us informed.

[UpInArms]

19. Oh my!

Please take care of yourself, my friend ...

You are definitely someone I want to have on this planet with me

[HubertHeaver]

20. I had that one 5 years ago.

As the cardiologist told me, that is "widow maker" territory. Sounds as though you were more fortunate than I. I sat in the emergency waiting room for four hours with symptoms that pointed to gall bladder problems.

[47of74]

21. Take care of yourself and get well soon

[csziggy]

22. Glad to see you back!

ALL the cardio operating rooms are freezing - about 60 F the nurse told me. I've been in them twice - once to test my cardio functions and a second time to replace my aortic valve. Both times were with the non-invasive procedures that go through the arteries.

It sounds as though they tried to go in through your brachial artery but then had to use the femoral artery. Or maybe the brachial was used for some measuring leads.

For my valve replacement, they used both femoral arteries - one to run in the new valve and the other for a temporary pacemaker in case the new valve caused electrical problems in the heart. Then they ran a internal blood pressure line through the left risk and a drip through the right one.

I was cold before they took me into the operating room, then they pulled the blanket off and washed my entire torso with COLD water. I was shivering so bad I was worried it would affect their procedures! The only parts that were covered were my lower legs and my head - they put a tent over my head and the anesthesiologist kept sticking his head under to check on how I was doing.

They used conscious sedation so I was mostly awake but I think I fell asleep for part of it - the anesthesiologist woke me up to check on me. I only got three hours sleep the night before so I was tired.

Take care of yourself!

[murielm99]

31. My husband has been told that his

aortic valve replace event will be invasive. We go for tests Monday. They were supposed to be last week, but it was -51 degrees with the wind chill.

I am glad you came through so well!

[csziggy]

35. I lucked out in a way

I was classed as "low rick" and the minimally invasive technique is only approved for high and intermediate risk. But at the testing of the pressures inside the heart the surgeon offered me a spot in a clinical test to get low risk patients approved for the procedure. That would have given me a 50% chance of getting the non-invasive procedure.

I went through all the approvals, signed all the paperwork then got a CT scan to measure that my arteries were clear enough as the last hurdle. That CT scan showed a mass on my left kidney. The cardio-thoracic surgeon hoped I could get the kidney resected and still be in his trial so he sent me to the top urologist in town.

The urologist disagreed - the location of the mass required that my kidney be removed. But the function of my aortic valve was so bad he wanted it replaced first and he did not think I should go through the stress and healing time of cracking my chest open. As head of surgery at the hospital he got me the non-invasive procedure to replace my valve then five weeks later he took out my kidney.

So by getting kidney cancer I got the non-invasive procedure I wanted. And by trying to get into the clinical trial they found the kidney cancer before it spread. As a friend said, "That is a hell of a way to get the surgery you wanted!"

The clinical trials for the non-invasive technique finished last spring and the FDA should have made a decision by now. Check into transarterial valve replacement or TAVR. It certainly is a lot easier to heal from than open heart surgery if your husband is a candidate. I spent one night in the hospital and went for a long walk in the park a week later.

[murielm99]

98. It is so great that they found your kidney cancer

before it spread. That happens so often nowadays with the extensive testing they do before surgery. RBG was probably saved from having lung cancer spread further.

The reason we know my husband needs valve replacement is that he had hernia surgery. They found the valve problem during the tests they did for his hernia repair.

I am glad you are doing so well. Keep taking care of yourself.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

104. that extra testing helped me, too

They discovered that I'm right on the edge of 'pre-diabetes'. By catching it now, I won't have to make any drastic changes, just a slight course correction.

[sheshe2]

23. I am so glad you are home.

Be well, friend.

[renate]

24. welcome back! thank goodness you're home and alive!

[GeoWilliam750]

25. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery

[bluescribbler]

26. Be well

Glad you made it through. Take your time, recover, and return when you're able. Oh, and do not, under any circumstances, watch the SOTU tonight.

[Soph0571]

27. Pretty scary, huh?

My SO had several heart attacks several years ago. I spend my life nagging him to listen to his body and rest when he needs too. He never listens...cause men So listen to your body, rest and heal and get well soon

[democrank]

28. Glad you're back home.

Take good care~

[murielm99]

29. Take care of yourself and

keep us posted. Have someone else let us know if you can't post for a while.



My husband is facing cardiac surgery soon. I am scared for him. I hope it goes as well as yours.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

67. my hopes to your hubs!

May your husband be well and come through with minimal troubles.

[at140]

30. Thanks for posting, best luck to you!

And you I spired me to lose some more weight and exercise 4 days a week instead of 3.

Nothing like hearing actual experience of some one who went through the whole ordeal.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

91. I thought I was fine

I don't eat a lot of fatty foods, never fast food, don't eat any snack cakes with unpronounceable ingredients (if you can't find it in great-grandma's pantry, don't eat it), and do physical labor any time the weather is suitable. I've never been overweight.

It's smoking, being sedentary in winter, and eating too many variations on a cheeseburger (spaghetti with meat sauce, lasagne, pizza, chilli, etc.) that got me, I think.

[eggplant]

32. I have a lot of experience with this. If you want to privately message me, I'm happy to listen.

And also talk, if you are looking for that as well.

[Taraman]

33. I'm about 18 months after a widowmaker

But I just fell down dead. 74 year old sis did CPR till medics showed up. All recovered now, cycling, etc. Listen to your docs. Medicine is pretty amazing these days.

[PJMcK]

34. Glad you're okay

I just went through something similar where I had a 90% blockage in one coronary artery and the doctors were able to insert the stent through my wrist. I was glad they didn't have to use the femoral artery as they did for you. The morning after the procedure, I felt better than I had in a long time. The heart wants its blood!

Good luck in your recovery and I'm glad you had good medical care. Take care, friend!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

93. the wrist thing hurt

My right arm is still aching. I didn't notice the femoral artery after the initial stick from the needle.

[PJMcK]

96. Your pain is interesting

My doctor told me that in some people, the artery in the arm isn't wide enough to accommodate the catheter. When they did mine, the inside of my elbow really hurt for a couple of days.

All in all, it's not a pleasant procedure but it sure beats the alternative!

[Heartstrings]

36. Healing vibes sent! nt

[WheelWalker]

37. Congratulations. You are of the brave heart.

This May 14 is sixteen years for me.

[Roadside Attraction]

38. STEMI

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction. Bad stuff.

I'm an EMT with a volunteer rescue squad in rural Virginia. 35% of our county is over 65. Our local general hospitals do not have the capability to treat heart attacks, so, at least twice a month we call for medevac helicopter and fly out folks just like you. The cardiac docs want to have under 90 minutes from "onset to balloon" -- that is, 90 minutes or less from onset of the attack to the time they get stent(s) in place. Sometimes we make it. Have lost only one patient in 10 years; she was 82, went into cardiac arrest waiting on the helicopter, shocked her, she died a week later in the hospital.

Glad to hear you are fine.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

92. my son pointed me to your post

He said, "Notice that 90 minutes. Not 18 to 24 hours."

[sdfernando]

39. I'm glad you are OK!

My best friend had a non-stemi at 52. His cardiac Dr. is one of the best and over the next two years he ended up with 4 stents but no other heart attack. He has no other artery lesions and is doing great.

Follow the Dr's advice....but if you have issues with the blood thinners, like my friend did, don't be scared to look at alternatives. He was brusing on his legs, arms, chest, and hands so he wanted to find an alternative. Ended up taking Nattokinase. He is doing great, but it isn't for everyone.

Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

[helpisontheway]

40. Glad you are okay. Nt

[CaptainTruth]

41. Glad to hear you're doing better!

[lillypaddle]

42. Oh, Hermit

What luck that you were in a medical setting when the heart attack was discovered! JFC! Thank God you came through it. And in spite of it all, sounds like you still have some humor ... in the middle of a heart attack story, you made me LOL.

Take it easy. Get well soon. Someone is watching out for you, dude.

[yellerpup]

43. Glad you made it through!

Looking forward to hearing lots more from you when you recover.

[jalan48]

44. Get well soon.

[calimary]

45. Yes. Definitely take it easy.

Thanks for keeping us posted, Hermit! Please let us know how you’re doing.

[handmade34]

46. welcome home!

yes, take it easy

[voteearlyvoteoften]

47. VIP to stay hydrated

And deep coughing if you feel another episode coming on.

[Cha]

48. OMG, Hermit! I've noticed you've

been MIA.

Bet you scared your family to pieces.

Take 'er easy and get yourself back to a strong healthy you. Excellent reporting about it, btw.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

88. mahalo, Cha

Didn't expect my absence to be noticed, especially with all the stuff that goes on every day.

It sure did scare my family. I didn't have time to be scared, just uncomfortable in the aftermath.

Thanks for the kind words!

[Cha]

99. You just get better! What

a scare for everyone...

[smirkymonkey]

49. I'm glad to hear you are back home and doing better.

I hope you have someone to help take care of you. Just take it easy and get some rest. Keep us posted on your progress!

Welcome back!

[bdamomma]

50. So glad you are okay

Hermit-The-Prog, That stupid medication will keep you alive. My husband had heart attack takes his medication everyday, he had his heart attack 4 yrs ago.

Take care of yourself.

[marble falls]

51. I had mine at 38. I decided when I got home I might give out a few heart attacks, I was not ...

going to get another. 30 some years later, I'm doing well. Breathing deep, eating more sensibly and long walks work.

[2naSalit]

52. Holy Cow!

Take it easy, we'll be here when you get some strength back. Glad you'll be okay now. At least you were at the Dr's when it happened!

[yardwork]

53. Welcome back. Something similar happened to me some years ago.

My advice: Do the cardiac rehab program! If your doctor doesn't prescribe it, ask. And then give yourself time to really do the rehab course.

It's worth it. I didn't do this. I rushed back to work just to prove to everybody that I was fine. I wish I'd taken more time to really do the rehab.

[SeattleVet]

54. Just went through that this past fall.

Heart attack in August, 2 stents installed, then cardiac rehab for 6 weeks (could have been as long as 12, but I was doing really well so they graduated me quickly).

Definitely do the rehab - it provides a good education and helps build some additional tolerance and sets you on the right path.

[yardwork]

55. Glad to hear you're doing well!

[SeattleVet]

85. Thanks! I'm back to being a lot better than I was for a few months before the 'event'.

I was working at the computer at about 1:30 AM on a Friday morning and had a strange feeling in my upper left chest, that then radiated down my left arm. I woke up my wife and told her to drive me to the nearest hospital. I walked up to the desk and told them my symptoms, and within minutes I was on monitors, had a blood draw, and a big nitroglycerine patch on my chest. 15 minutes later I was transported to an affiliated hospital that has an excellent cardiac unit. Hung around the hospital until the next day (Saturday) when they took me down and did an angiogram, finding that I had about 80% blockage in the left anterior descending artery, but it was right where it branches. Doc said they had a new type of stent that was made for that, but they couldn't get one until Monday.

Hung out in the bed for another day, then Monday they took me back to the cath lab, used the other wrist, and put in the stents. Walked out of the hospital the next morning. Started cardiac rehab a few weeks later, and am back to my usual self.

The only real difference I notice now is that I'm not struggling for breath when I climb the hill from the waterfront, like I was doing for several months before the MI. I'm trying to stay more active, and have always had a decent diet (not a huge amount of fat, almost never added salt to anything, fresh veggies with almost every meal, etc.)

I'm on a couple of extra pills now (one for 2 years, one for life) but get in a lot of walking and flights of stairs every day. My wife got me a FitBit Versa right after I got out of the hospital, and it helps to keep me on track for activity.

The cardiologist did tell me that I had to stop smoking pot for my knee pain, though (I was using a high-CBD, low THC strain) but I was able to switch to vaping or using edibles.

[FakeNoose]

57. Lucky you made it - somebody up there likes you!

Your friends at DU are sending healing thoughts and prayers your way. It's probably better if you don't watch Trump's State of the Union speech, just keep the mood happy!

[NBachers]

58. I have to thank you for your "Man on the Scene" reporting- very interesting. Take Care of Yourself!

[oldlibdem]

59. I hope you have a swift and complete recovery

[Moostache]

60. Get well soon, glad to hear you made it

Somehow I always see Redd Foxx telling "Elizabeth" he was having 'the big one' after I hear someone has survived a scare. I really do hope you just got a reprieve.

[BumRushDaShow]

61. Oh no!

Glad that you made out okay. Definitely sending healing thoughts your way!!!

[Marthe48]

62. Best wishes

for a full recovery!

[bluestarone]

63. SCARY stuff!!

Happy all wwent well for you!! Take it easy for awhile.

[Stonepounder]

64. One thing to keep in mind.

Either make sure you get all your meds from the same pharmacy, or make sure that all your doctors are apprised of what meds you are taking. If a pharmacist and/or a doctor is not aware of all the meds you are taking they can inadvertently prescribe something which will mess with something that you are already taking.

When I had my heart thingy (emergency triple-bypass) I was almost ready to come off disability and go back to work when I came down with pneumonia. I went to my PCP and he prescribed an antibiotic to fight it. I got the antibiotic from a different pharmacy than the one I usually used.

A couple of days later I went in for my 3X/week blood test for my coumadin. By the time I got home, the lab had called my wife and told her to 'put me in a chair and make me stay there' while she rushed out a got a prescription for Vitamin K. Seem that the antibiotic and the coumadin interacted and made my blood somewhat thinner than water.

[HeiressofBickworth]

65. Your story illustrates the need for prompt action

A few days before last xmas, i woke up with terrible pain right in the middle of my chest. I woke up my daughter and asked her to take me.to the ER. After a couple of days of various tests, they determined that it wasnt a heart attack, not a blood clot in a lung, not kidney stones, but was acute pancreatitis. After appropriate treatment, i went home xmas day.

By way of contrast, two years ago, after having some annoying backaches, i was scheduled for a corinary stent. I'd had one 16 years before so i had no qualms about it. Waltzed into the hospital, registered at the front desk and went in. All I remember is being told that it was worse that they thought and that i could have a heart attack at any time. Next thing i remember is waking up four days later in a cardiac hospital in the next largest city.

In one case, lots of pain, no heart attack or other issues.
In the other case, no chest pain but had to have a tripple bypass.

The lesson for me is one of vigilance--being aware of your own body and noting any changes that need attention.

I suspect your instinct to take asprin may have helped. Take care and do all they ask in order to have a speedy recovery!

[sueh]

66. So glad that you're home safe and sound, Hermit-The-Prog.

You've had a miserable time of it. I hope that you have a speedy recovery.

[Duppers]

68. Wow! Just wow! Glad you made it.

Follow doc's orders to the t, sir.

Be well.

[iluvtennis]

69. A nice and warm recovery to you...you got this!

[Solly Mack]

70. Sending hugs!

[RestoreAmerica2020]

71. Take care.

paz.

[pnwmom]

72. Wow! So glad to hear you got through that. And you really did us all a kindness,

reminding everyone how weird heart attack symptoms can be -- different for everyone.

(Since 1 pill of regular aspirin contains 325 mg, you took the equivalent of about 6 regular pills over the course of the day. I don't know why they were making such a big deal about that, because lots of people have to take more than that every day.)

I bet your family's relieved you got help in time. Here's to your quick healing.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

102. I had no idea they could be that weird

This thing completely shocked me; I was still in denial until they had me on that table telling me they were going to run something up my arteries.

The symptoms were not what I expected. Help should be sought much sooner than I did.

[tblue37]

73. Glad you made it through! Get better soon. nt

[C Moon]

74. Amazing to hear the symptoms. Thanks for sharing!

My brother in law had a heart attack at 50. He was average weight. Kept in shape (running). He went running and had trouble breathing. Wrote it off. The next week he said it felt like someone was sitting on his chest so he was rushed to the hospital and had to have a stint put in. He ate a lot of red meat, and eggs.

[radical noodle]

75. So happy to hear you're okay

Thanks for the really great description of what it was like. I may save one of us someday.

[Generic Brad]

76. What a trauma you've been through

Best wishes!

[DFW]

77. Welcome to the club!

With me, the cardiologist at the ER said "Yew ah hevving a hattateck," since he was from "Sou Thefrica," but it was the same thing. That was 8 years ago. My real scare was 15 years ago, when I was about to have a massive, possibly fatal coronary any minute, but had no idea I was THAT close to departing this world until the stents were in, and the danger had already passed. The only thing the German surgeon said in English all day way "just in time."

Just give up grapefruit, take those pills forever, listen to what they tell you about your new dietary restrictions, and obey them at least 80% of the time. That way, you'll be with us forever.

[Honeycombe8]

78. Oh, no. I bet that was scary. I'm so glad you made it through.

You're lucky to have that son around. Take care of yourself. Take it easy. Eat healthy and rest.

[JHan]

79. Relieved you are back home and ok

[Grasswire2]

80. If I may point you to the aftercare advice from the top integrative cardiologist:

For recovery and to prevent another. He recommends 5 elements that will deliver energy to the heart muscle.

[link:https://www.drsinatra.com/5-natural-supplements-to-take-after-a-heart-attack-and-to-prevent-one|

[duforsure]

81. Thank Goodness you're ok now,

I did have a gall bladder go bad and was in the middle of nowhere , and after telling my wife something was terribly wrong she rushed back to where we live , and to a hospital where it was removed the next day. Glad you got the problem blockage taken care of. Hope this has you on the path to wellness and no more issues. Take care HTF.

[diva77]

82. Hermit!!!!!!!! Soooo sorry to hear about this...

Please take good care, heal, and keep us up to date as to how you are doing!!!!! I'm so glad your son was able to help too. Please send him a hug from me!!!!

[hibernius]

83. I had my first heart attack when I was 34

Came right out of the blue, never had any health issues despite a very unhealthy lifestyle (drinking to excess, smoking etc.)

I'm now 56 and I've had another 3 MI since then, the last one 8 years ago. I have 6 stents, an implanted defibrillator and take 22 tablets every day. But I feel fine. Apart from occasional breathlessness it doesn't affect me day to day.

The point is you've had the attack and you've survived so physically you should be fine going forward. The quality of medication available is exponentially more effective than it was when I had my first attack.

My advice would be to always take your meds, listen to the advice of your medical professionals and try not to dwell on it. Sometimes the mental issues are harder to deal with then the physical ones.

All the very best for your recovery and in the future.

[lunatica]

84. OMG! I just returned after a couple of days!

This made me cry.

I hope you recover completely.

[LittleGirl]

86. Take care and

thank you for the description of the pain. Heart disease runs in my family so I'm always curious how it affects people.
hugs.

[ewagner]

94. Been through this 3 times...

I'm a FREQUENT FLYER in the cath lab....

Glad you got to the blockage in time....rest...recover...exercise (intelligently)...

[niyad]

95. wow--glad you are home. sending lots of healing energies and huggggggs.

[peggysue2]

97. I'm late picking this post up but . . .

wow, what a story! Welcome back and the best to you.

Btw, that smoking thing? You're absolutely right, it is wicked to stop. I stopped 30+ years ago but occasionally I still have a crave. One thing you will notice is your sense of smell & taste coming back and how rotten cigs really smell. LOL. I think it's the only thing that's kept me from a full relapse. And I have occasionally taken a few drags from friends. Weird thing is? Once you quit, the occasional drag is never as good as you anticipate.

In any case, reading your experience? Those baby aspirins were probably a life-saver, even if you over did it.

So, welcome home!

[mr_lebowski]

101. Wow, scary! Glad you're okay and on the mend ... best wishes! (nt)

[akraven]

103. You're HOME. That's what counts.

Spouse has gone through 2, and until he was home, it wasn't right. So glad you're okay now enough to be home and TAKE CARE OF YOU.

[ooky]

105. Glad to hear you are okay and back home!