Member Profiles
OMIEOF3
WARNING- Half the people who have heart attacks
have normal cholesterol. (Mine was probably caused by a virus or inflammation.
Don't think a heart attack can't happen if you have low cholesterol and all your
blood lipids are great, you are a middle aged person without any history of
heart problems in your family.
I had a cholesterol level of 166, my HDL was great, as was my LDL, no high blood
pressure and no family history of heart disease. I was an active 54 year old who
woke earlier than usual one morning. I had a strange feeling in my chest and
antacids didn't help. I had a strange anxious feeling that didn't leave. I began
having RIGHT ARM Pain and pain in my upper back. (waking early w/discomfort is
an indicator it is a heart problem.)
My daughter drove me to the local hospital, the EMR doctor said I was having an
anxiety attack. I was in denial and after 3 hours left the hospital only to pass
out on the way home. Back to the hospital, the doctor then said it was a
reaction to the meds he had given me for the "anxiety attack." I was by then in
a cold sweat (diaphoresis), removing my clothing and not alert. Once again I was
sent home, by then my pain had subsided some.
But that evening and the next 5 days I was so weak I couldn't eat & had never
felt so weak. By the time I did see a cardiologist at the suggestion of another
doctor a week had passed. By this time I felt fine. But the EKG showed a right
sided heart attack. The reason that it was my right arm, and my right neck pain.
He wanted me in the hospital "immediately if not sooner" the next day an
angiogram was done and this doctor said my right main artery was 100% blocked
and could not be opened due to the long delay.
To make a long story shorter - after 7 years I have developed congestive
(chronic) heart failure. All because a young Emergency Room Doctor couldn't be
bothered to order more tests than the one EKG.
If anyone in your family has chest discomfort, and an uneasy feeling get them to
the hospital and have someone with them to protect them. A patient all too often
is in denial and won't ask to have further tests done. At the least they should
be admitted for the night to be monitored.
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