What's a heart attack like..

[Part-time]

A couple of days ago my neighbor was talking to his cousin over the phone and in mid sentence just said he didn't feel well and... nothing. My neighbour called 911 and drove to his cousins place just a few milles down the hwy to find him dead on the floor, 68 years old. (I don't find that old anymore...)

I know first hand what its like to have a heart attack, I found out for myself 2 years ago.
But how many guys here would know if it was happening to them and could they recognize the signs to get help before it was too late!

See, the first time i had heart problems was 6 years ago. My collar bone on my left side felt like it was being crushed by a pair of visegrips from inside my body.
This would come and go... It would hurt so bad I would be on my knees and covered in sweat, my wife calls 911 and by the time they get to my place it's over, I'm feeling ok and at the hospital they don't find anything wrong.
This went on for weeks until they found that an artery behind my heart was 99% pluged up! (2 stents fixed that)
A little more than two years ago I was complaining of a dull ache in my ribs and went through several test to be told there was nothing wrong with me. It was probably side effects from medications is what I was told.
A few months later I had a massive heart attack (caused by a 100% pluged artery). (2 more stents)
What it felt like having a heart attack... I woke up feeling like I was severly hung over, throwing up, dizzy, the room was spinning and then a few minuts later, getting slugged in the ribs with a 10 lbs sledge hammer.
I woke up a week later in ICU...

last night the right side of my neck, in my collar bone and especially in my jaw, even my teeth hurt like hell and I was almost on my knees and covered in sweat again. This went on for 3 hrs till I finally decided to go to emerge to find out there's nothing wrong with me... Here I go again!

It's different symptoms for everybody.
I know there has to be others here that went through this.
If we all tell our stories, we may give someone enough warning that they might save themselves.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

Anyone over the age of 50 that's having chest pains or just doesn't feel right should have a stress test.

I was feeling pretty crappy a few years ago and my doc recommended a stress test, I took it and it showed I had blockage on the right side of my heart. Doc scheduled me for an angiogram. During the procedure the specialist says there's one 95% blocked, well they touch it with the stint and it opens up by itself and the specialist says we can treat that chemically... no stint. Turns out I have spastic angina, great arteries but one of them wants to be a sphincter instead of an artery and close under stress.

Now I just take one little 5 mg. Norvasc a day and I'm fine.

If you think you may have heart problems, ask your doc to schedule a stress test for you... they're painless and might save your life.

 

[mommicked]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

Part-time, My father had a H A 3 weeks ago and he described feeling a little dizzy and a severe pain in the left side of his neck jaw and teeth like you did, as if his jaw was going to explode from pain and pressure. He had a blockage in a large artery and was lucky to be in the cardiac unit and 1 stint in @ less than 2 hours thanks to the paramedics and my mom calling 911. Dad is a stubborn old fart 73 who has traditionally shunned doctors. Mom said she knew something was wrong by looking at his face, and the fact that he did not reply or say "he11 no" when she said "I'm calling 911". Docs put in 2 more stints the next day and he was back home in 4 days and doing fine now. He was extremely lucky to be at home near my mom,a former RN who could tell something was wrong by the color of his face and his actions. Earlier that same morning he was out squirrel hunting, alone and out in a very isolated, remote area for around here. Even If he could have driven himself to the hospital it was 40 mins. from him. To EVERYONE, when in doubt just get checked out, it might save your life and If everythings OK at least you have some piece of mind that your heart is healthy!

 

[JB]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

Blocked arteries are not the only form of "heart attack", but they are by far the most common. Chest pain is not the only symptom; pain can be anywhere in the torso or neck. Left arm may feel like you hit your "funnybone". Pain may only come with stress and go away at rest. Sometimes there is no pain at all. . .just terrible weakness and dizzyness.

The point is that there is no single sign of a heart problem and ER diagnostics sometimes cannot tell what is happening unless it is severe. I was sent home with undiagnosed cardiovascular partial blockages at least 4 times in the 90s. I also had one baloon angioplasty, two stents (separate events) and a double bypass from the four times they were able to diagnose the problem(s).

There is hope, though. Since I changed my eating habits, exercised more and stopped smoking my heart has shown great improvement. Wish I could say that for the rest of my body. :redface:

 

[eavega]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

My mom had a fatal heart attack about 6 years ago (can't believe its been that long!). I was living i AZ at the time, and she was in FL. She was a little overweight, and was on medication to control her cholesterol, but she was apparently in decent health. She had a somewhat stressful schedule trying to keep up with my two sisters three kids apiece. She was always helping them out, picking up the kids from school or watching them while my sisters were at work. On the day she died, I spoke to her on the phone as I did about every day on my way into work (which would've been mid-morning in FL), and she sounded tired. When I asked her if she was okay, she said her neck and back hurt some, and she thought she had slept in a bad position, or maybe strained a muscle in her back. I told her to take it easy for the day and let it go. 16 hours later she had died. In speaking to my dad and sisters later on, the rest of the day went like this: She kept feeling the pain in her back and shoulder getting progressively worse, and she started feeling a little nauseous. By 8 PM it didn't seem to be getting any better, and she was starting to feel short of breath, so dad took her to the local hospital, about a mile from home. There she was told she was having a heart attack, and was immediately given the clot-busting medication. That didn't resolve the clot, so they gave her a second dose. Mind you, all this time she was conscious, and her biggest worry was that they were going to have to keep her overnight. The local hospital made the decision to transport her immediately to the Cardiac Specialty Hospital in Miami for an immediate procedure (either bypass or stent, I don't remember which). She never made it to the hospital.
My point is that you can be having a heart attack and not even be aware of it. I'm 41 years old and relatively fit, but I still get a cardiac workup every other year just to be sure that there are no hidden dangers lurking under my skin. Given my family history and the fact that I was obese until two years ago, I have taken extra care to monitor my blood lipids, blood pressure, and have had a calcium score test and cardiac ultrasound done in order to at least "level set" and be aware of any potential problems as early as possible. Good health doesn't just happen, it takes a proactive approach to spot problems early and address them in a timely manner. Proactive approach also involves lifestyle changes that are to your benefit like eating right, stopping smoking, getting the right types of exercise, and getting enough sleep. I'm banking on being around to see my grandchildren (my daughters are respectively 7 and 6 years old), and be healthy enough to take them fishing and such!

Rgds

 

[scipper77]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

This must be heart attack season. I am only 34 but I joined a gym this month and have been improving my diet. For the last 5 days I have had a steady pain in my chest on the left side. I went to have it looked at yesterday and everything checked out fine but if it were a heart problem I would be dead right now for sure. Before I went in I read up on heart attack signs and I'd like to think that If a real heart problem surfaces I will take the symptoms more seriously.

I find it ironic that this thread came up today considering I went in for chest pain yesterday.

There is a great documentary called "Forks Over Knives" that promotes a pretty extreme diet (beyond vegan). While I have no intention of giving up meat, the statistics linking heart disease to excessive intake of animal based protein is pretty black and white. Also the benefits of replacing processed foods and bleached flower with whole foods and whole grain based products seems like a manageable lifestyle change.

When you are eating the right kind of foods you do not have to worry about portion control or meal frequency. Our stomachs are designed to feel full based more on volume than caloric density. Our brains are programmed to seek out the highest calorie food which means lots of fat and sugar with no fiber. If we are satisfying both at once (which I'd say is the norm) the results are nothing short of a disaster.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

Great thread topic....pretty timely given the burger thread.
I think the most important thing is that if you are over 40 start paying very close attention to yourself......youth is long over. Start with a very good check up and ideally a stress test. I recently turned 50 and am in good health and I took one last year which was very interesting to do. My results were good and it felt really good to actually go through it for a diagnosis...I highly recommend it if you aren't sure or your 'internal' condition.
Then start watching what you eat and start walking and getting some excercise.
OR......bone up on the health insurance.
Good responses, keep 'em coming.
BP

 

[Part-time]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

This must be heart attack season. I am only 34 but I joined a gym this month and have been improving my diet. For the last 5 days I have had a steady pain in my chest on the left side. I went to have it looked at yesterday and everything checked out fine but if it were a heart problem I would be dead right now for sure. Before I went in I read up on heart attack signs and I'd like to think that If a real heart problem surfaces I will take the symptoms more seriously.

When you're in your 30's most Dr's don't seem to look harder at trying to find the hidden blockages. If you keep experiencing chest pains or discomfort keep getting checked till they find the problem.
(when I was 35)
I started having the pains in my collar bone/neck and left shoulder in early September and had several test that showed I was fine. In November they sent me for an angiogram and found that I had an artery blocked in two places...
I found out that in my case stress tests and ECG's don't show anything wrong, even when there is.
(now I'm 41)
This time they did ultrasounds and now I was just told that they suspect some blockage in my neck this time.

 

[Laddies]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

My first heart attack, I had no chest pain at all. I came home from work and had a acid stomach and headache. Did not feel like supper so took a couple aspirin and went out on the front poach and laid down for a couple hours when I got up I was dizzy and thought maybe my sugar was low and checked it only to find it was OK. Next in my brilliance I decided to take a shower and go to bed, at that point I found I could not raise my arms and was taken to the emergency room where I was diagnosed as a heart attack and admitted for surgery.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

I had my first at 40, and have had more since then. When they hauled me out of work had a HR of 199 could barely stand long enough to get to where I could sit down saftly. As for how it felt, fish flopping with a mule kick. No blockage anywhere, not even partial. Could strock out anytime so I live with it.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

I have read that the sings are a lot more "obvious" when a man is having a heart attack vs a women.

And with men, heart attacks often happen after a strenuous workout (a workout beyond what your body is used to) ie: shoveling snow for the first time that season when you haven't excersized for a while, or playing tag with the grandchildren.

This all kind of relates back to being healthy, and watching what you eat. If you are over 200, and your shorter than 6' you are at an unhealthy weight. Unless you landed in this position on purpose with the expertice of dieticians and trainers.

Eat less fatty foods, drink a few less beers, and go for a walk once a week. You'll feel good about yourself!

If you experience any sort of misguided pain, especially over 45 you should seek medical attention, the older you get the "more obvious" a heart attack can be, but you can very well be having a heart attack and might tell yourself...naaa it can't be. Something my cardiologist in-law says is something he hears often after someone suffers a hear attack "it didnt feel like I was having a heart attack". haha, well now you know what a heart attack feels like.

It's also critical within the first hour of a heart attack that you make it to a hospital, after that your odds of survival diminish a great deal as time passes.

 

[eavega]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

the statistics linking heart disease to excessive intake of animal based protein is pretty black and white.

Sorry, the statistics linking heart disease to excessive intake of animal based protein is not black and white, in fact its pretty gray. There are as many studies that show that diets that consist mostly of quality animal protein and act to raise HDL, while lowering triglycerides and lowering or leaving LDL unchanged. What it does do is decrease the proportion of VLDL in the body. VLDL is the stuff that oxidizes and creates plaques in arteries that can lead to blockages. The net effect is a much healthier blood lipid profile. I'm not saying that a diet exclusively made up of bacon, eggs, steak, and chicken is necessarily good for you, as it is deficient in other nutrients your body needs. I am saying that there is as much support for a high-protein, high-fat, low carbohydrate diet as there is for a low fat, high carb diet.

Also the benefits of replacing processed foods and bleached flower with whole foods and whole grain based products seems like a manageable lifestyle change.

Here, pretty much everyone can agree. To begin with, as a species we did not evolve to nourish ourselves with cereal grains. That has been a relatively recent development from an evolutionary perspective (400000+ years as hunter gatherers vs about 10000 years as cultivators). To take that grain, strip it of its nutritional value, and leave basically the raw gluten, starches, and sugars is an abomination to nutrition. Nutrients were never meant to be consumed as singular entities. There is a lot of micronutirents, minerals, and essential components to any whole food that make it much more nutritious than the sum of its parts.

When you are eating the right kind of foods you do not have to worry about portion control or meal frequency.
Our stomachs are designed to feel full based more on volume than caloric density. Our brains are programmed to seek out the highest calorie food which means lots of fat and sugar with no fiber. If we are satisfying both at once (which I'd say is the norm) the results are nothing short of a disaster.

Again, I am going to have to disagree with this. Most of us have been eating badly for so long that the internal regulation mechanisms (i.e. insulin and leptin response) are very damaged. The result is that we DON'T know when to stop eating, and our bodies don't know when to stop storing calories as fat and start using the stored energy. I have personally dropped over 100 pounds over the course of a year, and have kept it off for another two years and can tell you that this mechanism is still not fixed in me. I can honestly say that I can still amble up to a buffet and put away a copious amount of food. The only way I keep from doing that is not my hunger/satiety response, but using visual queues and consciously stopping myself once I know I have consumed a sufficient amount of food.


I don't want to start arguments or get this very important discussion locked, but be aware that there is a wealth of information (and misinformation) when it comes to what we eat and how much of it we are supposed to be eating.

Rgds

 

[royal0014]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

Yep, symptoms are different for different people.

And young age does not preclude anyone. I was 37 when I got my four stents.

Don't wait to see the Doctor.


<<)))(((>>

 

[scipper77]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

Eavega,
No worries. My comments were based on a documentary I watched. If you know me you know I am one of the least argumentative people on iboats. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong.

When I say you can eat as much as you want of the right kind of foods I mean fruits and veggies, not breads or meats.

 

[M9.9]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

Hi OP and all, Yeah, I had one of those and it was the worst pain I have ever experienced. Like others, it first felt like bad indigestion, ignored it and it went away. Two days later it was back and this time I went to the local drugstore to get the best over the counter acid relief I could. When it didn't work I began getting concerned as the pain began to go through my chest, up the backbone and down my arms.

Called a health emergency hot line from a mag-card I had on the fridge (6 years or more) and was immediately told to take an aspirin, unlock the front door if locked and to sit down and that an ambulance and fire dept will be there.

I was taken by ambulance to the local Hospital which was not equipped for any sort of Heart Attack victim treatment, except some sort of expensive drug they put into my intravenous tube that I was told would take an hour or so to work and if it failed I have to be taken to another hospital which is about eighty miles away.

It didn't work and by that point I was into my continued Heart Attack for about two hours. A Hospital Nurse was requested to ride in the Ambulance with me as they were not sure if I'd make the trip. But I must admit though she was continually asking my pain level out of ten before administering more morphine, I had one laugh..when she asked the driver or the other ambulance person if the defibrillators were ready to charge? I spoke up and said Lady, if you mention 'defibrillator' again I might die. (I didn't realize it was that bad before she asked).

Anyway, I was tested and fixed w/two stets, but the damage to my heart was and still is a problem. I hesitated writing about it today, but wanted to say.. if you get any of the above kinds of persistent pain -- get to the doctor or hospital immediately. Had I gone when I had the first symptoms days earlier, I would have avoided all the heart damage. Now its on to diabetes.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

Hi OP and all, Yeah, I had one of those and it was the worst pain I have ever experienced. Like others, it first felt like bad indigestion, ignored it and it went away. Two days later it was back and this time I went to the local drugstore to get the best over the counter acid relief I could. When it didn't work I began getting concerned as the pain began to go through my chest, up the backbone and down my arms.

Called a health emergency hot line from a mag-card I had on the fridge (6 years or more) and was immediately told to take an aspirin, unlock the front door if locked and to sit down and that an ambulance and fire dept will be there.

I was taken by ambulance to the local Hospital which was not equipped for any sort of Heart Attack victim treatment, except some sort of expensive drug they put into my intravenous tube that I was told would take an hour or so to work and if it failed I have to be taken to another hospital which is about eighty miles away.

It didn't work and by that point I was into my continued Heart Attack for about two hours. A Hospital Nurse was requested to ride in the Ambulance with me as they were not sure if I'd make the trip. But I must admit though she was continually asking my pain level out of ten before administering more morphine, I had one laugh..when she asked the driver or the other ambulance person if the defibrillators were ready to charge? I spoke up and said Lady, if you mention 'defibrillator' again I might die. (I didn't realize it was that bad before she asked).

Anyway, I was tested and fixed w/two stets, but the damage to my heart was and still is a problem. I hesitated writing about it today, but wanted to say.. if you get any of the above kinds of persistent pain -- get to the doctor or hospital immediately. Had I gone when I had the first symptoms days earlier, I would have avoided all the heart damage. Now its on to diabetes.

Great points. In having the old 'just turned 50' general health, welfare, life risks, etc conversation, my doctor told me that a lot of heart attacks and heart 'incidents' are initally thought to be just cases of indigestion by the recipient...thus delaying the proper fix.
So guys....if you don't feel right, don't assume its something minor like indigestion....you could be undergoing a minor heart attack....maybe leading to a major one shortly? (1 week, 1 day, 1 year?.....gamblin')
Remember.....afterwards, its too late.....you are permanently damaged if you don't see to this stuff at time, and you've got about an hour or thereabouts to 'get on it'...and after that......well, you can't unring that bell....you are permanently detuned.
Good luck, great thread, great feedback on this stuff guys!!
BP

 

[Part-time]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

My Dr's an idiot...
The first time I had the heart problems I did all the stress tests, the threadmill, the nuclear test, ECG's and all showed I was fine until the angiogram, 99% blockage.
A little over 2 years ago, just before my big heart attack I went through all the same test except the angiogram and I was supposed to be fine.
Now it's the same thing all over again. The ECG and bloodwork at the hospital last week said I was fine. None of the test are showing anything wrong, except for an ultra sound of my neck showing some blockage (but nothing to be concerned about according to my Dr).
The Dr says I have to avoid stress and he fills out my form for work that I'm fine to go back to my regular duties with the exceptions that I'm not allowed to drive, operate heavy equipment, lift heavy objects or climb more than 3 steps of a ladder.
So I'm about 45-50 miles from work but can't drive there, and my job... Driving a cement truck.
Now because he checked off the box 'Ok for regular duties' my insurance that covers my wages while I'm sick is stopped so I have no more income till all this gets sorted but my Dr's now gone on holidays for the month.
So much for 'avoiding' stress!!!

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

I was going to post before , but didn't. Now I will. Get yourself a new doctor. This is nothing to mess around with..............

 

[Part-time]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

I was going to post before , but didn't. Now I will. Get yourself a new doctor. This is nothing to mess around with..............

I wish it was that easy. There's a shortage of Dr's here in northern ontario and you have to either know someone or put your name on a long waiting list...

 

[foodfisher]

Re: What's a heart attack like..

Not going political to save an enlightening thread!