VERY SERIOUS WARNING TO WOMEN !
#283706 - 09/24/06 07:14 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Sorry to be posting something so serious in The Living Room, but this is important for all women, so please bear with me for a few seconds.
If there is a history of heart disease in your family, LISTEN UP!
I had a heart attack early this week and have been in the hospital, recovering. I am still in shock and disbelief, but as my cardiologist explained, it doesn't have anything whatsoever to do with exercise or diet (although they can help bring your numbers down), but everything to do with genetics -- EVERYTHING.
I address this to women only because, as my cardiologist explained, women's symptoms are VERY different from men's.
It all started with extreme indigestion that kept me awake at night AND WOULD NOT GO AWAY WITH OTC MEDS. The pressure is like a football being wedged between your boobs, pressing REAL hard. I'd had that feeling before, but usually Maalox took care of it. This time was different; I emptied the bottle and went for more. It just so happened that the next day was my regularly-scheduled appointment with my regular doctor for a med review. I was barely able to get out of bed that morning and take a shower, let alone drive all the way up there, but I did it.
In the doctor's office, I asked for a Maalox because the indigestion was so intense. The doctor left his office, purportedly to get the med, but when he returned, he was accompanied by a half dozen paramedics. I was stunned. They did an EKG on me, put a Nitroglycerin tablet under my tongue and made me chew up some aspirin. THE NITRO GOT RID OF THE "INDIGESTION" (a huge clue). Then they put me on a gurney and wheeled me into an ambulance. I was driven back down here to the hospital, where they performed an emergency angiogram, JUST IN TIME; my artery had JUST closed. They inserted two stents which opened the artery up.
I dodged a bullet! When my regular doctor came to visit me in the hospital, I covered my face and broke down in his arms. There were no words to express my extreme gratitude. What do you say to someone who has given you LIFE? I told him, "You saved my life!" And he replied, "Yes, Bev, I know."
My "indigestion" is gone now, and I am home, recovering. I made some super friends in the hospital and learned a lot. Don came home with a treadmill for me. I am not permitted to do any kayaking for six weeks, but I am to walk every day for a half hour only, keeping my heart rate at only 110. I take a lot of meds now and am on an extremely strict diet. There is very little I can eat. I do not care.
I am still in shock. Obviously all the exercise and dieting in the world means nothing. It's all in the genes. My beloved daddy died from a heart attack.
Remember, if you ever experience the symptoms I spelled out here, if your "indigestion" does not go away with simple OTC meds, chew up an aspirin and get yourself to the ER IMMEDIATELY. Do not worry about feeling foolish, it's truly a matter of life and death.
One last word, and I'm outta here: Enjoy life to its fullest. This is not a rehearsal!
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Wow, Bev!!! You so rarely post and i just happen to click on the board this morning and read your post, I'm so sorry you went thru all this but so very happy you are okay!! That is a pretty big life changing event, i would still be in shock also. Sending you big HUGS and im so glad your still with us!!! It inspires me to get exercising more and take better care of myself.
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Omigosh, Bev! That's just so shocking. I can only imagine what you're going through. I really appreciate you sharing your symptoms with us. Who would have known without you telling us? We have to stick together and share this info with everyone we can. I sure hope you are on the road to recovery and that you're starting to feel better soon.
I'm done whining about not being able to eat certain things. I am alive.
Big hugs.
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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Thanks for the warning Bev, what you went through sounds very scary. I hope you completely recover from this quickly.
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I'm so glad you're okay, Bev! {{{{Hugs!}}}}
Thank you for the warning!
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Christine
Those who can do; those who want it done better teach.
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Oh Bevvy! I am so glad you are ok. Thank God you were in the right place at the right time. Women's symptoms are very often different from men and it is a matter of genetics as well. Please rest and I hope that you will have a restful and much needed recovery. I am again glad that you are alright!
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I'm so glad you are ok! I know the leading cause of death in women is not breast cancer like everyone thinks. It's HEART DISEASE!
My grandmother just past away last month. She had open heart surgery 4 years ago and ended up dying of what they think was a massive heart attack. It's very scary!
Take care of yourself Bevvy! I miss you and would miss you more if you weren't here!!
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~~~Lisa~~~
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Re: OMG Bev!
#283725 - 09/24/06 11:19 AM
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Debby
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 460
Loc: Cleveland, Ohio
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Hi - thanks for posting, this is important! So glad you are okay. It's easy for women to forget they are at risk as well for heart disease. Keep us posted on your recovery.
Debby
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Wow Bev, glad to hear you are still with us. The Dr.s do say that woman's heart attacks are different than men's. There is many in my family that have died of heart attack so I do get checked regularly.Just 2 years ago the Dr. found I had a mumur so did ekg, and are keeping an eye on it. So will definitely take your advice about "Indigestion". And I agree with your last word:Enjoy life to its fullest" Mine is similar:Life each day to its fullest. take care of yourself Sue
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Bev--I'm glad you're ok, how lucky it turned out for you! Thanks for posting this here to give everyone the heads up. We definitely need to keep on top of our bodies and all the potential health issues, and not get TOO confident just because we feel good. Hang in there, and I hope you recover quickly!
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OMG Bev!!
I am so happy to hear you are alright - but OMG what a scare!! That is unbelievable! I know that women have different symptoms than men for heart attacks, but hearing it first hand just wows me!
Take good care of yourself!
HUGS!!
Cassandra
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Cassandra
Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like you've never loved before.
IBS A 20+ years, Chronic Migraines, Chiari Malformation (decompressed June 22, 2010), Brachial Neuritis, and ??? the list just keeps growing, but I'm still shiny side up! 
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Oh my God!!! I'm so sorry this happened to you Bev, and so happy the doc twigged what it was straight away and put you in the best hands.
Yikes, very scary. I'm lucky in that no-one I can recall in my family has ever had a heart attack, BUT, nearly everybody, including myself, has a heart problem or 'pecularity'. Scary stuff, and I'm very grateful for the warning of what it felt like.
Hope you're taking it easy, and recovering well. Best wishes, and big hugs xx
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http://ibsblondie13.blogspot.com/
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Ahh, Bevrs, I'm so glad you're ok. That must've been very scary!
Thanks for the info on women's heart attack symptoms. You're right, most women wouldn't realize they were having a heart attack because it's not like that "grab your chest and fall over" thing like they show on tv!
My father-in-law passed away recently---very suddenly---from a massive stroke. Unfortunately, he ignored warning signs, even though his brother had had a stroke at age 58. You better believe this was a wake-up call to my husband. He came home from the funeral and made an appointment for a thorough checkup with a doctor.
You just can't take your health for granted! And if it's in your genes, it's in your genes!
I'm so glad you're still here with us. Thank God you got to the doctor in time and that he was smart enough to recognize that it was a serious problem.
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OMG, how scary!! I'm so glad you re ok. I can't imagine what you went though and how frightening it must have been. We all miss you here and you know we will all be pulling for your full recovery! Love and hugs!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Wow!  I'm so glad your doctor was smart enough to recognize the symptoms and get you to a hospital fast. I've heard of a lot of women who don't get diagnosed correctly or their symptoms aren't taken seriously.
I hope you get better quickly. Big hugs!
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Thanks for the warning and sharing your experience. And what a terrific doctor you have! Many docs would not act so promptly and thoroughly.
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I hope your feeling so much better i am new to the board and i have seen your smiling face alot on some recipies i have found. Keep smiling and take care sheila . God bless
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Bevvy, I think you did a great service in posting your experience and warning others. Thank you for having done so. Perhaps your post would do well to be 'bumped' up for newer members to read, and long-term members to be reminded of this. So I'm making comments to keep this post 'alive'!
I would like to make two additional comments:
1) Sometimes there is severe pain from an impending heart attack in the left arm and/or jaw, and one feels nothing unusual in the chest. Some heart attacks manifest radiated pain into the jaw and down the arm.
2) Bayer aspirin just came out with a new product that will disolve under the tongue when a heart attack is suspect, take two of these. By disolving this under the tongue the aspirin immediately enters the blood stream and does not have to go through the digestive tract to be of any benefit.
It is suggested that everyone keep a bottle of these in their bedside stand drawer, as some people cannot even make it to their medicine cabinets when this happens during the night (frequently the case).
Aspirin has saved many people from death during a heart attack if they take 2 aspirins the moment they notice any unusual sypmtoms, and call 911 immediately. Yes, you can have someone drive you to the hospital, though the paramedics can get to you faster and exceed all speed limits getting a patient to the hospital. They also have the equipment in their vans to sustain you until you get to the hosppital. When you make that 911 call, make sure the dispatcher know that you have just taken two aspirins. They will be pleased to hear that, knowing you aren't going to 'stroke out' before emergency help can reach you.
I also read recently in one of the medical reports about surviving a heart attack is that it is best to sit up or stand up while waiting for the paramedics. Lying down is the worse thing that a person can do if a heart attack is suspect.
I'm so happy to hear that you did so very well. God was obviously with you!
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Senior female, IBS-D, presently stable thanks to Heather & Staff
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