Ever Been Frightened ?

[flippin and pitchin]

Normally, my posts or responses include some attempt at humor but not this time. I just got out of the hospital after a 33 hour stay. I had chest pains yesterday around noon while at work. That and five other signs of a heart attack found me driving myself a few blocks to the local Fire Station. I was at the ER in the next 20 minutes or so after taking baby aspirin and Nitro mist. To make a long story short, I did not have a heart attack and my stress test today shows my heart is fine. My blood pressure is not but that's an easy fix.

For a moment, I actually felt very helpless and feared I might be "having the big one." I was honestly very very frightened and I don't scare often. Thank God it wasn't a heart attack. My wife came in to see me after I had my first blood draw and 2nd EKG and pretty much confirmed I had not had the big one or one at all. She needed to leave to take my son to Portland for his radiation therapy and I told her to go, I was okay. She started to leave and stopped in her tracks and walked back and gave me a kiss and said, " I better not leave without kissing you. You might not be around when we get back," and then she winked at me.

I'm not sure why I am even sharing this. I feel fine. I will make a better effort of taking care of myself although i'm actually in pretty good shape. I guess it's just to decompress and let someone know my wife can wink.

[Brian Needham]

MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR SURE!!!!!!

glad you alright.

[Glenn]

I'm relieved your ok! But what was it?

[flippin and pitchin]

Esophagial spasm was the most likely cause. After eight blood draws, three EKGs, ultrasound and Stress EKG the cardiologist told me I have no valve issues, no arterial blockage or constrictions and no evidence of cardiac disease. I go back to work tomorrow. I feel fine other than the crappy hospital food. It was a scare though. Thanks for the concern Glenn.

[A-Jay]

Glad you're OK friend -

That must have been quite a scare.

A-Jay

[retiredbosn]

Scary for sure, sounds like u have allot going on. Prayers for u and the family especially your son. Merry Christmas

[K_Mac]

After years of heart related issues, about 9 months ago my cardiologist told me he was doing all that could be done medically, and either lose weight or not to make any long term plans! I hope you're right about blood pressure not being a serious issue; it has been for me even after losing weight with diet and exercise. I am finally making real steps toward getting things under control. My point is it took a scare for me to do what needed to be done. I'm glad it was nothing serious, and hope you can use this as an opportunity...good luck.

[Glenn]

Esophagial spasm? I had no idea there was such a thing. How does that happen and can it be prevented from happening again?

[Jigfishn10]

That's a scare indeed flippin and pitchin. I'm glad it all turned out well for you. Don't take the high blood pressure too lightly, we would love to see you around for a lot more holidays.

Merry Christmas Bud!

[Dwight Hottle]

Good luck with your quick recovery and stay healthy.

[slonezp]

Glad you're ok

[shootermcbob]

Same as the others, glad you are ok. Good luck going forward for you, your son, and the rest of your family.

[tholmes]

Glad you're OK, bro!

Been there, exactly the same symptoms and diagnosis. Scary stuff, for sure!

Have a great Christmas!

Tom

[SirSnookalot]

Glad everything is AOK, K_Mac, keep up the good work.

I've been scared once, the night my wife had a stroke at age 49. Luckily ( I''ll spare the road to recovery) things turned out well. She is my concern, glaucoma, high blood pressure, high cholestrol and a few other problems, everything is under control with medication and eats a perfect diet, problem are genetic and not lifestyle.

I had a stress test some 10 years ago, read the report and started to write my will. Saw a specialist had another stress test that indicated I was fine. I've become a diabetic, fairly under control with medication, however I had to recently change medications as my diabetes is advancing. My dad died from diabetes complications, I don't fear death, but I do fear being a burden to my wife. At present my cholestrol is 118, b/p 117/67, weight near perfect, but 3-4 packs a day will probably bury me.

I had a moose walk thru my campsite in Hawk Junction, Ontario, nothing ever scared me more than that.

[Sam]

Flippin & Pitchin, I think you have been given a wake up call.

As we get older our bodies slow down and we start to get medical problems that we never thought would happen.

I am so glad you are OK. Many guys don't take heart attack symptoms seriously and they place their health in great danger.

What has always bothered me is that we load all of our equipment on our boat; take off at a ramp; and we have not 1) let our loved ones know where we are and our blast off site; 2) do not take our meds with us; and 3) do not have anyway of contacting anyone if we encounter a serious medical problem on the water or walking the bank other than hopeing that we have a telephone signal that we can use to make a phone call to 911.

I use the SPOT satellite system. Only problem is that the unit is in one of my boat's compartments. I got to start wearing it on my belt.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

Your post is one that everyone needs to take seriously. We all need to improve our health after years of abusing our bodies.

Getting old is not for wussies!!!

Glad you are OK. Keep on trucking.

[Maico1]

Glad you are okay, but pay attention to yourself. How are your stress levels, seems like they are on the high side to me. Stress is the root to a lot of evil within ourselves. Merry Christmas and I wish your son the best.

[jignfule]

wow

[Bankbeater]

Glad to hear that you are OK. Have a great Christmas!