8ntruck 6,998 #1 Posted June 25, 2019 A week ago last Friday, I was experiencing heart palpitations, and dizziness. Went through my check list - blood sugar OK, not dehydrated, hungry, but food did not help. My wife and I went to the local ER. I was hooked up to the EKG and monitored for a while. I got a dose of beta blocker, and was monitored some more. They sent me home with a new prescription for beta blockers with instructions to 'get thee to a cardiologist'. The cardiologist lined me up for a stress test and a 30 day heart monitor. The stress test indicated a heart cath to gain more data. (At this point, those of you who have heart caths will understand my title!) The heart cath revealed (among other things) that I had some blocked arteries. This sent me to a larger hospital for another heart cath to determine if I would need a stent or not. Turns out that I didn't. A change to my medication stack seems to be working, pending results of the 30 day heart monitor. Had an appointment with my primary doctor today. I started asking dumb questions and learned a lot about my condition. Understanding what is going on urges me to make the necessary life style changes. She also told me that we caught the blocked arteries early enough that control should be possible with medications instead of invasive procedures. We also discussed how the heart monitor worked and that the more important data it collects is up to me to make manual entries when/if I feel 'funny' - something that was not made clear by the cardiology staff. I go see the cardiologist Thursday, and I'm planning on asking many of the same 'dumb' questions to get the specialist's opinion. The moral of the story: If you think something is wrong, GO GET IT CHECKED OUT!!! If you don't understand, KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS UNTIL YOU DO!!! Yup, I'm turning into an old codger who is passing advice down like it or not. 1 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,570 #2 Posted June 25, 2019 Extremely glad that they caught things early on. I hope every thing goes well for you. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,500 #3 Posted June 25, 2019 Glad you are catching it early enough. My dad had signs that he didn’t think nothing of. 2 weeks later he had a massive heart attack and died on the way to the hospital. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ol550 830 #4 Posted June 25, 2019 14 hours ago, 8ntruck said: . The moral of the story: If you think something is wrong, GO GET IT CHECKED OUT!!! If you don't understand, KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS UNTIL YOU DO!!! Yup, I'm turning into an old codger who is passing advice down like it or not. I can give a big AMEN to that. Four weeks ago Sunday the pains I had been having in my chest got worse. Went to the ER, EKG looked good, chest xray looked good. After about 5 hours sent me home with a little bottle of nitro. Was told to set a appointment with my regular doctor to order a stress test. Monday rolls around had another event that the nitro seemed to help. Tuesday 2 events a little worse but the nitro calmed them down. Wednesday another event and again Nitro to the rescue. Dr appointment Wednesday evening. Told him What had been going on and that the ER doctor thought I should have a stress test. Told me to wait and left the room. Came back and asked me how I got there, told him I drove. Told me to drive myself to the ER to be admitted for a stress test in the morning. Checked in to the ER and got hooked up for a EKG and once again looked good. Pulled some blood and was sent down for another xray. Waited about five minuets and was told the order was cancelled. Hmm! Back to the room, now things got interesting. Out came the little bottle of nitro and hooked up to a nitro IV. My chest pain had nothing to do with my heart. Gut problem! But I had had a heart attack most likely on Tuesday, and worked through it. No stress test for me, got sent to the cath lab. Found the artery behind the heart nearly 100% blocked, 1 stent. Was told the only warning I had was the headaches I had been having for the past few months. Happy to have beat the widow maker!!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 6,998 #5 Posted June 29, 2019 Had my follow up appointment with my cardiologist yesterday. He is happy with my progress on my medication stack and my heart is not damaged. He said that the blocked artery was probably a factor, but not the cause. He also agreed with me that it was a fortunate find and something to monitor in the future. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #6 Posted June 30, 2019 Glad to hear that, you got it that early. Wish you best convalescent over the great Pond Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
