@suzva i had 98 % blockages in both my carotid arteries and they cleaned them out 6 month apart. I never knew those could get blocked. It was terrifying to think that I could have had a massive stroke and died when I was 62. Had to take strong blood thinners for a year. The first one raised my blood pressure so much they had to change it. I also never had BP problems. Family history was parent with heart attacks and byass surgery. I started to wonder if I had blockages there as well. They did a scan and I have 80% blockages in one artery so they did angiogram and put in a stent. Then I had to take antiplatelet drugs, blood thinners and blood pressure meds and let me tell you, I thought I was losing my mind. Intense anxiety, fear, depression, I was short tempered and nasty ,(certainly not my normal temperament). They changed some of the meds but some I had to stay on for a year whether I liked it or not. But the new meds were better but by no means perfect. Every chest pain, leg pain, burp or fart scared me.
From my personal experience, when you live to a certain age with no serious problems and then you have heart issues or brain issues (the way they found blockages in my carotids was because I went blind in one eye for about 60 seconds and then I was fine and I could see and I almost didnt go to ER), these things are like a trauma! It is very scary and if you had few symptoms it makes you feel like you cant trust your body. They body you used to live in has changed and you have to learn to live in it. Its not easy but just remember that this wasnt just a cold, it was a serious trauma and emotional throws you off. I assume you have a good doctor and encourage you to tell the doctor everything. Until you get used to it, see you doctor about every little ache and pain. If they are a good doctor they will understand and help you adjust. Try not to read too much online about your situation. A lot of site can really scare you. I stopped reading them and then I found this one. I think the people on this sit are helpful and they tell you their experience. I believe the people here understand and do try to help others. However, you know how you are feeling and things your body is doing that it never used to do. See your doctor and keep asking until you feel more calm and accepting about it. Let me tell you. I have an 82 year old cousin who has had 2 heart attacks, takes meds, plays hockey twice a week with a seniors league and plays golf twice a week and score his first Hole in one last week. He does Yoga and has 12 grandchildren that he chases around the yard. If he can do it, so can you