Don't Wait!

[bunchdescendant]

Well, here's the story-

I recently woke up in the middle of the night, feeling 'not myself'. I had missed about a month of work first from a sinus infection then from a uncooperative back so I was stressed out.

This stress translated itself into a uncomfortable tightness in my chest. I have asthma so I know what an asthma attack feels like. This was different. I could get my breath but this tightness persisted.

My Significant Other took me to the hospital and they went bonkers over me, finally ending up admitting me after doing a 'nuclear scan' (thallium) of my heart. All this time, the Dr. attending me had me at death's door, a walking time bomb in her estimation. I kept trying to see if the Angel of Death Uriel was making the rounds with her.

After sitting around for the weekend in a room, they sent me for a Cardio Cath procedure. This showed a few % narrowing of 1 artery. The Cardiologist gave me a thumbs up and now I'm home, tired and trying to recuperate.

Moral of this story-

Don't follow my lead-if you 'don't feel right', DO NOT WAIT to go to the emergency room! Minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

Take care of yourself, especially if your family has a history of heart disease (like mine). I was told that the circumstances of the treadmill nuclear test was the reason that they sent me for the cardio cath.

(I had just two hours sleep in 20 hours before doing the treadmill and my heart rate wouldn't hit 145 [it made 138 tops]. I also didn't make the last 2 minutes at a run, either. I crapped out at 1 minute 30 seconds. I was just too tired to take the test, really)

Finally-Talk with your Dr. about making your lifestyle healthier. I doesn't hurt to be healthy.

OK, for those that smoke/drink- I quit but I'm not gonna preach to you. Maybe you could 'cut back' a little. Skip that last beer before bedtime or that last smoke at night. All it takes is a little reduction to make a big difference.

Anyway, I'll cut this one short. I'm getting tired again. I still need my rest.

Ray

[McMurdo]

Glad it was nothing as serious as they first thought. Get some rest.

[Kilt TN]

I agree, but call an ambulance.. I drove my self to the hospital .. and I did have a heart attack.

[Big Homestead]

I was a club DJ alot of years. I smoked a packof cigs in 5 hours and my drinking became something of legend (please don't let that sound honorable, it nearly killed me). I developed heart palpitations and a few other things that nearly got me. I was in my early 20's when this happened. It spanned over several years. Trip after trip to the emergency room.

Since I took up my sport, my cardio and diet all shifted and I barely have any symptoms anymore. I don't know what your diet is like but the final healing step came from watching my coffee intake as well. And because I'm alive, I get to wear kilts and play with my kids. Hard not to feel like God kept me here for a reason.

I'm glad your still here, if there is anything I can help you with in regards to diet or exercise, I offer my skills to you for free. Anything I know is for you to know.

Cheers and blessings!

[Frank McGrath]

Never smoked, could not afford drugs, just had a bad diet. Pain so bad radiating from my chest brought me to my knees. Everyone at lunch, no one saw me. I waited until quitting time, drove home, waited for wife to come home. Compained to her, called doctor. He sent me to hospital. Took a shower (heaven forbid I go to ER dirty), wife drove me to ER. Sat for 30 minutes in wheelchair. Spent the night in ccu. after all the tests, including stress test, doc says I had indigestion. Never felt indigestion in my fingers before. I eat better now. Just need to exercise more.

[cessna152towser]

Glad you're going to be OK, Ray. As others have said we are all getting older and need to take care. I never smoked (well I tried two or maybe three ciggies in my youth but didn't like the aftertaste), but was always fond of a drink - Scotch Whisky, until I took liver inflammation, then red wine for a further few years before I finally quit alcohol completely three years ago - I used to say a bottle of red wine was my five portions of fruit per day - now I eat lots of grapes.

[bunchdescendant]

I guess I should add-

1) I am diabetic so you know I have a healthy diet regimen. As much as I love to eat, I have lost a lot of weight and I feel great about it.

2) I am very active. I work as a Comm Tech for a school district so I am always climbing/kneeling/carrying a ladder. Never a slow day.

3) Gave up smoking about 30 years ago. I thought it was aggravating my asthma but since I got my blood sugar under control, I don't have attacks anymore. Go figure.

3a) Gave up most of my drinking. Still like a very occasional sip of JD and I love my coffee which I have cut way back on.

4) My cholesterol is very much under control. Most people would kill to have my numbers.

Summary:

I really think it was stress related. I have been in a stressful position here so I think as soon as I can work again I will be just fine. We are also working towards getting out of this stressful environment. It's wearing on all of us.

Thanks for the kind words. guys.

Ray

[Panache]

Ray,

Sending good vibes and best wishes your way!

Cheers

Jamie