Just When You Think Things Are Great

[BC1]

Been plodding along without a care, having fun, enjoying the nice weather this weekend... and then I had a heart attack.

I found out today that the bad chest pain, tiredness and trouble breathing on Saturday was a damn heart attack. I didn't go to the hospital then but instead went to dinner Sat evening with friends and to a party yesterday. All the while I KNEW something was wrong. Life's about to change, hopefully a wake-up call.

Don't talk yourself out of seeking medical care when you don't feel well. I stupidly did. I figured at 53-years-old and in great physical shape that it was nothing serious.

And kids... don't aggravate your parents ;-)

 

[zacklmpd]

Glad your ok!! I go for check ups all the time my dad died at 41 heart failure

 

[Keykutter]

Holy crap! I hope you follow the Doc's instruction and take the right course. You're one of the good guy's.

KK

 

[Angela Kichak Grato]

So how did you find out then? I hope there isn't damage and they are going to be able to treat it fairly easily. Are you having a cath/angio thing done? I'm 52 and have to have one done Wed due to a questionable stress test result.

 

[BIGJOHN621]

Bob,

My thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. Glad to hear you have a chance to recover, as many never get one. Best of luck for a bright future.

John

 

[Oldgrunt]

BC1: Over the years I experienced the same symptoms as you. I saw a battery of cardiologists, stress tests and four heart caths. No blockage ever found nor could they explain why. Last year, I had a stomach bleed, lost three pints of blood and fell on my rear end. After all that, they found that I needed a pacemaker because the lower lobe of my heart was malfunctioning and my heart nearly stopped beating. Don't let the doctors give you the run around. Make them keep going until they have found out what your problem is while you are alive, not after your autopsy, not like they nearly did me. Best of luck to you!

 

[fuhr52]

Denial isn't a river in Egypt. Any time anyone over 40 has chest pressure, shortness of breath, cold clammy skin and nausea, take notice. These are the classic signs. If you have a family history you are at a greater risk. Been a FF/Medic over 40 years and have seen a lot of this. Those that survive the first one don't wait to get help for the second one. Good to hear you came out alright. leasantry:

 

[The_Outlaw]

Been plodding along without a care, having fun, enjoying the nice weather this weekend... and then I had a heart attack.

I found out today that the bad chest pain, tiredness and trouble breathing on Saturday was a damn heart attack. I didn't go to the hospital then but instead went to dinner Sat evening with friends and to a party yesterday. All the while I KNEW something was wrong. Life's about to change, hopefully a wake-up call.

Don't talk yourself out of seeking medical care when you don't feel well. I stupidly did. I figured at 53-years-old and in great physical shape that it was nothing serious.

And kids... don't aggravate your parents ;-)

Sorry to hear about your health troubles. Will keep you in our daily prayers.
I hope that you get better real soon.

 

[Angela Kichak Grato]

I've been telling my docs my chest hurts, I'm short of breath, etc... for at least 5 years; probably closer to 8; and I've asked them to check out my heart and they kept telling me it was fine. I even had questionable EKG results at the ER, etc. and my GP said it was nothing. I have Lupus and they kept blaming it on that. Finally the rheumatologist decided to have things checked out because Lupus increases risks of heart problems exponentially. (Duh!)... So that's how they got the stress test with the questionable result and why I'm now getting the catheter test on Wed. If it comes back I have a blockage and get a stent or something; my GP is going to get a shin kick with my motorcycle boot!!

 

[Firefighterchen]

Been plodding along without a care, having fun, enjoying the nice weather this weekend... and then I had a heart attack.

I found out today that the bad chest pain, tiredness and trouble breathing on Saturday was a damn heart attack. I didn't go to the hospital then but instead went to dinner Sat evening with friends and to a party yesterday. All the while I KNEW something was wrong. Life's about to change, hopefully a wake-up call.

Don't talk yourself out of seeking medical care when you don't feel well. I stupidly did. I figured at 53-years-old and in great physical shape that it was nothing serious.

And kids... don't aggravate your parents ;-)

I am sorry BC. What are you going to do now? Did you answer the wake up call? What are your plans for getting healthier?

 

[jg1967]

Glad you are okay!

 

[Tucker's Mom]

With all the problems we are having with our computers last night and my blood pressure going up in bits, you made me realized how small my problems are...We'll add you to our prayers in this household. God Bless YOU.

 

[BC1]

So how did you find out then? I hope there isn't damage and they are going to be able to treat it fairly easily. Are you having a cath/angio thing done? I'm 52 and have to have one done Wed due to a questionable stress test result.

It apparently started with an event a couple of weeks ago. While driving my heart elevated quickly into fibrillation and I blacked out. I managed to get the truck into neutral before I went out. I drifted off into a field. I had someone take me home where I spent a couple days in fibrillation. My neck and teeth hurt. I didn't think a lot about it because I've had three cardiac surgeries in the past to correct fibrillation and thus far they've only been about 80% successful. So I just thought it was another bout of the arythmia. But this time it continued. I had a nuclear ST and a SPECT study. The doc called me late Sunday night to tell me the results show a blockage and some muscle damage. I went to the hospital where it was confirmed. I left against medical advice because I want my own surgeon, who's in NYC. I'm seeing him today.

 

[leadsender]

I hope that you are feeling better and on the mend. I will be 53 this Saturday. I have my health issues and as long as I keep them in check I tend to do better. If it is one thing that I have learned is "If your body is trying to talk to you it is usually best to listen to it". Listening earlier is always better. Be well.

 

[BC1]

And Then Along Comes The Health Plan

Surgery scheduled for Monday.

I picked the best doctor in NYS... has done 14,000 of these procedures in the past six years with only one complication. Head of cardiac surgery, etc., etc. He charges $115,000 for the surgery and takes my Blue Cross health plan so I only pay $50. My family health plan premium is $1,400 per month.

Then Blue Cross tells me the hospital, Mount Sinai in NYC, THE number-one facility in the U.S. for this surgery, isn't in my network. They'll pay 80% of the $60,000 in hospital expenses leaving me a $12,000 balance.

Obamacare must be watched very carefully. As one can see from this incident that when Obama says everyone in America must have health insurance that does not translate into health care. Yeah, I'll pay the $$ because I have no choice if I want the best. What about those who couldn't foot the bill? Remember, the guy who graduated last in his class at med school is still called DOCTOR! He'll accept your Obama-dollars as payment.

 

[fuhr52]

You missed one element of Obama care. There will be a panel of God knows who, deciding if you are an eligible candidate for the surgery. They may decide you are too old and send you home with a bag full of pills.

 

[OpenCarryYes]

Remember everyone, symptoms are your friends. Dont wait until its too late.

BC, i'm glad your getting help. Be blessed and get well soon

 

[nogods]

wishing the best for you BC - hopefully it can be addressed with just diet and lifestyle.

 

[Angela Kichak Grato]

Got thru the heart cath ok, they found a partial block but in too small a place for a stent. Going to be treated with meds. Heart is in good shape without any damage. Still pondering whether or not to kick the GP for ignoring my request to check things out for 7+ years. Maybe I'll just use his image for target practice or something. Is that totally tacky?? Hope your recovery is progressing well BC. Hope you didn't have damage either. "We" are too young for this stuff!!

 

[BC1]

Got thru the heart cath ok, they found a partial block but in too small a place for a stent. Going to be treated with meds. Heart is in good shape without any damage. Still pondering whether or not to kick the GP for ignoring my request to check things out for 7+ years. Maybe I'll just use his image for target practice or something. Is that totally tacky?? Hope your recovery is progressing well BC. Hope you didn't have damage either. "We" are too young for this stuff!!

Yeah, I did suffer some muscle damage. Arteries are wide open, almost no plaque. They still don't know the cause of the heart attack. I do have a very bad arrhythmia and have had three RF ablations and a Maze procedure. It kicked my a$$ again last night. We're going to implant a loop recorder in my chest to get a better look at this.

When I awoke the doctor said "I have bad news, good news and bad news... the first bad news is you need a heart transplant. The good news is we found a heart and did the transplant. The other bad news is that the only heart available used to belong to RICHARD CHENEY!!"

Keep that sense of humor... it's critical.

We complain about NYC but the hospitals are some of the finest in the world. Mt. Sinai has 15,000 employees on-site, averaging over 5,000 cardiac surgeries per year with less than 10 complications per year.