1. < Heart & Blood Health

Thought I was having a heart attack

Posted by riflemanz64 @riflemanz64, Mar 21 7:22pm

One week ago i changed the oil on my suv. I'm 68yrs old and that night rolled over on my left side and noticed I had severe pain from the heart. I just ignored it until a week later it felt like crushing pain on my heart. I called 911 and went to the hospital. I also have a high CAC score. They did a blood test, ekg and chest x rays. The Dr. said he thought it was a strained muscle around the heart. They gave a shot with anti-inflamatories and Ibuprofen in it and sent me home. He said my heart is fine which I was relieved to hear. I can't believe I injured myself changing the oil. I guess I'm old! I still can't sleep on my sides only on my back. They said go to your Dr. in 2 weeks if it's not better.

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riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Apr 3 4:39pm

Good luck and let us know the results.

REPLY
jjohn10 | @jjohn10 | Apr 5 11:34pm
In reply to @gregy "I had my 2 angiograms 14 years ago and both through the groin. Last week I..." + (show)
@gregy

I had my 2 angiograms 14 years ago and both through the groin. Last week I did a stress test with my Cardiologist and my result wasn't up to my usual high standard - I started to get short of breath at 6 min 40 sec. He wants me to have another angiogram as something has changed - he said they are mostly done through the arm these days (less bleeding, less bleeding and faster recovery). I am really scared and anxious that something is wrong and I haven't given him an answer if I will do the test or not as I am very phobic of medical procedures and needles. He is going to call me next week and I have to give him an answer - I guess I will say yes.

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I had 2 stents March 2023 (thru arm), I had 1 more stent August 2023 (arm). I was still having issues - fatigue, feeling I would pass out often (almost daily), general weakness. So in November, cardiologist ordered another angio to take another look at the stents - this time thru groin, because my arm artery was not completely healed. (I guess sometimes, not often, a stent can move or a side artery can be partially blocked by a stent). Everything checked out good. The 3rd angio, before I even realized they were starting the cardiologist was leaning over telling me all was good - it's not your heart. The longest part of the whole process was the prep - maybe 15 minutes. The angio itself took maybe 2-3 minutes. I felt nothing, and I didn't/couldn't see anything. Bottom line - nothing to worry about. I didn't even know he was doing it. Groin entry is a little more invasive then the arm. They prefer to go thru arm. I think recovery takes a little bit longer thru groin and I felt some fatigue afterwards for maybe 2-3 days. Really, the only way to know for sure if there is a block or not is to take a look, angio.

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gregy | @gregy | Apr 6 3:46am

Hi John

I ended up having the angiogram yesterday. I explained to the Doctor my anxiety and needle phobia and he was very understanding and accommodating. When I had my previous 2 Angiograms and 3 stents in 2010 it was through the femoral artery in the groin, but like you, this time was through the arm. Instead of being awake as I was during the last 2 procedures, this time they completely knocked me out and I only remember walking into the operating room, lying on the table and that was it! When I woke up it was all over !! and fortunately they found nothing wrong - my 2010 stents were as clean as a whistle and there was only very slight plaque build up elsewhere. I went home 3 hours later and only have a small painless wound on my wrist. No driving for 2 days, no heavy lifting for 7 days and no swimming or baths for 10 days! I am so lucky to have an understanding and caring doctor who made this experience much easier than expected

REPLY
riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Apr 6 5:55am

Glad to hear you’ve good to go!

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