Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms

This email from Gerry, may give you a few clues about some unusual signs and symptoms when you have your HEART ATTACK and what happens when you get to the hospital in a near death state. 

He's now home and well on the mend,

PHEW, WHAT A RELIEF!

I returned home late Monday wondering what it was all about between 12:00 noon and 16:00 hr.s a week ago today. I started the day on the golf course (first time in 5 years) and was marvelling at the extremely long drive I hit down the centre of the 17th Fairway!!  It was then that I felt what I assumed to be a muscle strain in my left shoulder. The pain became quite considerable and began to spread across my chest and back. I did not make my way straight home, which was foolish, but with the pain becoming really uncomfortable I used my mobile to call my Doctor and then drove straight to the surgery. The doctor called the Paramedics and NHS then went into overdrive. An ambulance pulled up and the Paramedics did checks, made phone calls and carried me on-board; strapped me to the stretcher and plugged me into  various monitors, drips, and blood pressure sensors then whisked off to the Cheltenham Cardiac Unit with flashing lights and sirens screaming. The paramedic with me was in constant communication with the Cardiac Unit while I found it necessary to hold on the best I could as the driver negotiated sharp bends and roundabouts.

On arrival at the Acute Coronary Unit  I was lifted onto a trolley and from there to the operating table where, in double quick time,  my clothes were exchanged for a surgical gown and at the same time I felt a catheter enter my wrist and various sensor pads stuck about my body. The pain from the attack was intense and completely dominating any pain from the catheter as it probed towards the problem. An x-ray unit swung into action and hovered within inches and at varying angles above my chest. There I laid on this cold table for what seemed ages, being told not to move while the team set about clearing the blockage.

I’m not sure how long it took before I was transferred to a trolley and off to the recovery ward but remarkably I soon felt back to normal – no pain and enjoying the attention of the young attractive nurses.

I was told by  the surgeon that I would have passed through the void had I been delayed another couple of minutes; the artery was completely blocked. I had no warning felt absolutely fine and was enjoying the walk and friendly banter around the Golf Course and also the views from this elevated course over the Severn Valley to the Brecon Beacons in one direction and the  Malvern Hills Hills in another. I have apparently survived without too much damage because I was relatively fit from golf, kayaking, climbing etc., .

In retrospect I did feel uncomfortable with what I thought an indigestion pain a week or so back. As a reflux esophagitis sufferer this was not unusual.

So what lessons??  Be wary of indigestion: Keep exercising and carry your mobile.   

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One of the replies from a member of 'The Cardiac Club' is interesting:

Reflux is what I thought I had as well so if any of you get a sort of burning sensation in the gap between your breastbone and throat which seems to rise up from your chest and feels peculiar get your ass to A&E. Strange pains in the arms and pins and needles can also be a sign get to A&E before it's too late it very nearly was for me.

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All I can say is :-

BE AWARE

BE SLIM

BE FIT 

BETTER STILL 

NEVER, EVER SMOKE

AND IF YOU DO?

STOP IT RIGHT NOW!

It wont prevent everyone from having a heart attack, but it may just save you and me.

Gotta be worth heeding.