Thanks for sharing your story, Tony. Nurses and nurses’ aides are unsung heroes. They have helped my son SO much during his three hospital stays. I relied on them much more than I did the doctor.
Thank you for sharing, TonyK. My husband has been active all his life, too, but started to gain some weight a few years ago (when he turned 50). He mentioned to me just last night that he’d like to lose 20 lbs. I think I’ll make it my mission to help him succeed, and the sooner the better.
I wish you well.
Ok @TonyK , I just quit reading this thread and called to make an appointment for my annual physical. I had been putting it off for months because I hate getting blood drawn. Thank you for sharing your story.
I have a friend who has always been fit and trim and kept up with annual physical exams. A few years ago he went in for his regular check up and mentioned to the RN that he was having chest pains- he attributed it to indigestion caused by a lot of stress. They hooked him up to a ECG, looked at it and called an ambulance. He had triple bypass surgery that evening. Some times the warning signs are pretty subtle. We are glad you are still with us.
Tony, thanks for sharing your story. It’s important for all of us to get routine physicals, take good care of ourselves, and not ignore symptoms. None of us are getting any younger.
Glad you’re still here for your grandson.
I have another friend who is a cardiac nurse. He drove himself to his hospital and told them he was having a heart attack. He was right and the worked in him and he’s ok. It was his 2nd one before age 40!
He does almost everything right–ideal body weight, vegetarian, works out, exercises, really nice guy. He does shift work, including night shifts which is hard in his body.
The urologist who had the heart attack had the “widow-maker” plaque break away and would have killed them if the top cardiac team hadn’t been there and ready for him.
The gentleman who sadly did not survive the event during the roadrace was only 34 
Glad you survived TonyK and shared this cautionary tale.
I had a phobia about giving blood or drawing blood ever since I was in the service and witnessed some events. But now I’ve gotten used to it and had blood drawn last week for my cholesterol checkup. I didn’t complain when the nurse couldn’t draw enough blood from one hand so she drew it from my other hand.
What’s a few more bandages to someone who had three IV’s in him just three months ago?
I am an insulin-dependent diabetic and overweight, with well-controlled hypertension. But, I work out and wanted to print up bumper stickers that said “Fat but fit.” I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, so during my annual visit with my pulmonologist, I mentioned that I had been feeling some chest pain while working out on the elliptical, usually 5 minutes in, but that I “powered through” and it went away at the 10 minute mark or so. The look on her face told me everything I needed to know, and I scheduled a stress test. I flunked the test! I got two stents placed and, while I didn’t eat horribly before (I’m diabetic, after all), I now pay more attention to my diet.
When your blood is flowing more easily, without blockages, it is something that affects your psychological well-being also. It is truly an apt metaphor.
@TonyK, thank you for posting your story.
@lxnayBob, I wish you well. I’ll be careful using the elliptical in rehab. The nurses limit our time on it and monitor blood pressure and pulse.
TonyK, your story gave me chills. Did you have a blockage on the LAD? Thank G-d the firefighters were there and were able to treat you promptly. Are they sending you to cardiac rehab?
For those new to the thread/CC and as jym alluded, I’m the one who had a massive heart attack four (!) years ago. I am a poster child for getting healthy before it kills you.
In my case, I had jaw pain about two months prior to my heart attack. (a warning sign for women). My dentist checked me out and wisely sent me to my primary doc, who sent me over for a cardiac echo (this was six weeks prior to the heart attack). I also had an EKG ten days before before my full cardiac arrest because of the chemo I take for chronic myeloid leukemia. I had lost 45 lbs in the year before the heart attack in an effort to get pre-diabetes under control.
I had a 100% blockage in the left anterior descending artery – the “widowmaker” (same thing that killed Tim Russert). Had no idea I was about to drop dead. I walked all over Eastern Europe and Israel (including climbing Masada) three weeks prior. Apparently the day of the heart attack I had gone into my former office to visit, fell asleep, and then drofve home on the DC Beltway. Apparently I felt ill enough to have called my primary, who said to come in first thing in the am. That evening I complained that I felt like my gallbladder was acting up (which should have been a huge warning since it had already been removed) and then keeled over in the kitchen close to midnight while posting online. (I know this because S2 was able to notify people using my account, which meant that my computer was open at the time.)
It was a series of miracles that I had this event at home, even though the survival rate for a full cardiac arrest outside of a hospital is on the order of 10%, and those who survive often have brain damage. I had just returned from lengthy travel overseas, in places where no medical facilities were available, S2 happened to be home from college and was supposed to leave a week later to Russia for the summer. He learned CPR when he was a 15 yo volunteer camp counselor. DH was sitting at the table eating dinner (yes, at midnight) when it happened, etc., so was able to get S2 upstairs to help while he called 911, etc. The cardiologist on call that night was the guy at the hospital (he has worked on Dick Chaney, FWIW, and I’m told it was a far longer and more complicated procedure than the usual stenting exercise. I have seen pics of full blockages online and they were scary enough – I saw the video of my stenting procedure and it was terrifying to see how little blood got through my heart before vs. after.
I have no memory of the two weeks before the heart attack – it would make sense that I was not getting enough oxygenated blood to my brain, but I was also placed in an induced hypothermic coma afterwards to minimize brain damage and that may have factored in. Cholesterol was 130, triglycerides 145, HDL 33 and LD 53. Mom and Dad had cardiac issues, but no heart attacks. Was overweight (though had lost 45 in the year prior because my glucose was creeping up) and way too sedentary. Also had polycystic ovarian syndrome, which ties into metabolic syndrome. Lots of little things which added up to disaster.
I had five stents and had a defibrillator placed about six weeks later. Ten days in ICU, another three days in the hospital, and two weeks at an inpatient rehab facility. Started cardiac rehab six weeks after the defibrillator (almost three months post-MI) and still do it today. I go there instead of the gym because they are 30 seconds away from the ER, it’s a habit (and for me, routine is huge) and it has helped me lose more weight. Cardiac rehab has been the best part of this whole thing. The people are awesome and the regular supervised exercise is a good thing. Re: the elliptical – the cardiac rehab folks generally don’t let folks on to that equipment until about six weeks into rehab, and then they start with five minutes. I can walk the treadmill for a couple miles without breaking a sweat, but the elliptical is a full body workout and I am pooped after a mile.
While I didn’t have any huge, screaming cardiac risk factors, I have since learned that each risk factor exponentially increases one’s risk. It’s not a straight line risk progression. Women have different symptoms and/or are more likely to be discounted or diagnosed as something else, which leads to a higher death rate than for men.
There was another CCer who lost a friend last year after a cardiac event where a bystander did nothing (the car door was locked, IIRC). There are angels who walk among us and I am forever grateful for people who see a problem or situation and are moved to action.
TonyK, please take care of yourself. You are still loved and needed. It’s been a hard, hard year. Be gentle.
Thanks for your story from a women’s perspective, @CountingDown. A good reminder that symptoms and experiences can vary from person to person and between the genders. How scary that must have been for you and your family. Glad all ended well for you!
And I for one am so glad you are still here with us, CD!
Thank you for sharing your story TonyK. So glad you are still here for your family especially after the loss of your wonderful wife. Losing you both would have been even more life shattering
I need to get healthy.
Isn’t diabetes or pre-diabetes a huge screaming risk factor?
@CountingDoen, My major blockage was in the LAD area with two lesser blockages >50% in other areas. I don’t have stents. Rehab began almost three months after surgery. I think using an elliptical machine depends on the patient. One 30-Something man went right on it the first week, and I was on it in my second week. Other patients have never gone on it. Today I was up to 12 minutes on it and my nurse told me it is a lot like running uphill. No wonder my legs hurt!
Wish you a successful recovery and many more trips in the future.
@TonyK, the elliptical is a lifeline for me. My feet aren’t great for running or a treadmill, I dislike swimming, and the elliptical doesn’t pound my poor feet. I can change the incline and resistance, and (with a pulse monitor) can do everything from intervals to long steady workouts. I looked forward to the cardiologist clearing me for the elliptical again. I try to do 30-45 minutes at elevated pulse at least 5x week, with a gradual warmup beforehand and cool off afterwards.
@TonyK and @CountingDown - thank you for sharing your stories. So much luck is involved in these situations - a where you are, who you are with, etc. My close friend was the one CountingDown mentioned - heart attack in his locked car last summer. Bystander called 911, but that was the extent of his effort. He was taken to local hospital and then to a higher level facility where he was placed in the chilled coma. Five agonizing days - no signs of brain activity - that was it. I will always wonder if the outcome would have been different had it happened at work or on the soccer field (he was a long time referee) where chances are someone would have started CPR and perhaps a defibrillator would have been available.
Ironically, he had a clean bill of health from his cardiologist just weeks earlier and was very physically active as a soccer referee. But, there was a family history, he was overweight and he loved rich food and drink. The one year anniversary of his passing is next month. He left behind a wife and 3 middle school aged children.
It occurs to me that we need to create our own luck by living the healthiest lifestyle we can and addressing our risk factors. After he died, I truly thought I had rcvd a wake up call and promised myself I would be more active and lose weight. Have I done so? No. Food for thought.
I’m also involved in bereavement support, now as a co-leader of a group. Most of the spouses saw their loved ones through lengthy illnesses, but nothing prepares one for the loss. In many ways, the sudden deaths are hardest, no real time to prepare, show the love. So please, if it’s a matter of tending to your health in ways you can, try to. Use sane medical advice, know symptoms, don’t assume or be cavalier.