I am having some slight symptoms and am not sure what to do. Will be 65 in July......smoke and drink (weekends) and don't want to go to my doctor and get slung into a bunch of tests and find out nothing's wrong. I will probably go to the Doc, but will will to see if things let up or worsen.
So I had a heart attack.
- Thread starter JessN
- Start date
I can't urge you enough to go for the tests. What the hell's wrong with finding out nothing's wrong? My sole risk factor was family history, which you don't mention. I had beautiful blood numbers, blood pressure, I don't smoke and I'm in excellent physical condition and weight. If you haven't looked up how much your smoking raises your chances of a heart attack, you should...
Man, just GO.
The "bunch of tests" it took to identify me as having had the heart attack was one blood test. If your blood test comes back negative for heart-related enzymes, you might have to get a stress test/EKG done or an arteriogram. If nothing is wrong, you're out of there in a day. If something IS wrong, they can fix it on the table and you might still go home in a day.
If they find nothing wrong at all, what better news could you get? You give up 1-2 days of your life and it no longer weighs on your mind.
Jess , we are close in age and I was shocked upon reading the news . The main reason is that somehow I have always thought of you as a "pup" since I can remember when you first began your writing as a contributor back in the day . Back then , you really were a pup and so was I . I guess getting older will always beat the alternative
Me too....I remember the first time I used it and the next day I felt like I was awake again after existing in a foggy daze.
Like someone else said, it takes a lot of getting used to but it is truly a life (and quality of life) saver.
Glad you got through it ok. As one who has dealt with dozens of these (in others) do not do what Jess did -- get to the ER right away. He was very fortunate not to have heart damage and a much worse event.
Glad to hear you are out of the hospital and on your way to a full recovery. Push away from the table a little sooner and get back to bowling and golf as soon as you can. A lot of golf courses left to play.
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Not sure if I've ever read a post with such focus before. I'm 43 -- and have a family history of heart disease -- but most of that was due to smoking, poor diet (everything is GOOD on a pig!) -- and not a ton of exercise. I don't drink, smoke, or eat horribly (stay away from fried foods and foods heavy in sat fat) -- but I am about 25 lbs overweight (or undertall) -- and found myself searching for any ache, pain, sensation that I may have been overlooking.
I don't have a ton of symptoms -- but I do get shoulder pains after sleeping. I do feel like crap if I play too much basketball without resting in between....etc.
I've been bugged for years by my wife to go and get a checkup -- just to get that "peace of mind" -- and I hate that you had to go through that, but thank you for sharing your story with us, and getting us all to think a little more about our own health.
(We tend to read in amazement when Earle tells us his "exploits" -- (j/k Earle!)) -- but your post really hit home.
(heavy sigh) -- not looking forward to my probe
I don't have a ton of symptoms -- but I do get shoulder pains after sleeping. I do feel like crap if I play too much basketball without resting in between....etc.
I've been bugged for years by my wife to go and get a checkup -- just to get that "peace of mind" -- and I hate that you had to go through that, but thank you for sharing your story with us, and getting us all to think a little more about our own health.
(We tend to read in amazement when Earle tells us his "exploits" -- (j/k Earle!)) -- but your post really hit home.
(heavy sigh) -- not looking forward to my probe
Glad to see you are doing better. Never a lost cause when sharing something that could greatly benefit others. Hope things continue to improve for you and you are here with us for a very long time.
JessN
Glad to read something from you and delighted to know that you are currently in the process of returning to full strength. May God continue to bless you during your process of changing your diet and learning how to sleep with that CPAP machine. Take care and stay strong...
Glad to read something from you and delighted to know that you are currently in the process of returning to full strength. May God continue to bless you during your process of changing your diet and learning how to sleep with that CPAP machine. Take care and stay strong...
Jessn
Glad you are doing better. I don't know if anyone remembers me...used to be Nawlins Tide. I had a stroke about 3.5 years ago and am getting better every day, but I can tell you to get check-ups regularly! They can save your life. RTR
Glad you are doing better. I don't know if anyone remembers me...used to be Nawlins Tide. I had a stroke about 3.5 years ago and am getting better every day, but I can tell you to get check-ups regularly! They can save your life. RTR
Glad you're doing well Jess. There is a cautionary tale here for all of us.
My doctor told me for years that my blood pressure was a "little" high, and cholesterol was "moderately" high. I have family history of heart attacks and strokes, but...hey, I feel fine. I sat down at one of those grocery store blood pressure monitors one day, and the BP was high enough that my wife called and made me an appointment that day. I finally listened to a doctor who didn't just tell me, but stayed after me. They call all of those things the silent killers-you feel fine...and then you don't and sometimes, you never recover.
And now, those "sick headaches" that were so awful I wouldn't be able to function. I don't have them anymore. I lost weight, take my medicine, and exercise. And when they tell me that older men need to get their prostate checked, or a colonoscopy done, get 'r done! You've only got one life-Take care of it.
Way to go Jess-
My doctor told me for years that my blood pressure was a "little" high, and cholesterol was "moderately" high. I have family history of heart attacks and strokes, but...hey, I feel fine. I sat down at one of those grocery store blood pressure monitors one day, and the BP was high enough that my wife called and made me an appointment that day. I finally listened to a doctor who didn't just tell me, but stayed after me. They call all of those things the silent killers-you feel fine...and then you don't and sometimes, you never recover.
And now, those "sick headaches" that were so awful I wouldn't be able to function. I don't have them anymore. I lost weight, take my medicine, and exercise. And when they tell me that older men need to get their prostate checked, or a colonoscopy done, get 'r done! You've only got one life-Take care of it.
Way to go Jess-
That is true! Anyone 50 or over get it checked. A friend of mine had his checked and found cancer. They removed it (along with much of his intenstines) but he says every older person should get it done. RTR
The test are not bad. I'm 45 and hate to go to the doctor. But when the symptoms showed up, I went. You will be amazed at the peace of mind if nothing is wrong. Don't do it for yourself, do it for those that care about you. Give us an update in a few days.
In just my little circle of friends that are 55+ I can name 3 that have had prostate cancer. It is a stone cold silent killer. Catch it early.
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