I am typing this post one week after an event that blindsided my family, an event that could have had very tragic results. My husband Todd, after celebrating is 45th birthday the week before, had his brother drive him home from work, after complaining of a sharp pain between his shoulder blades, and a sore chest. We had thought he had pneumonia again, and had discussed his visiting the doctor after the busy weekend we had coming up.
Well, on the way home, he decide that he should probably get checked out at emergency, it probably was pneumonia, he was suddenly feeling much worse - with intense pain in the chest, excessive sweating, and ice cold hands and feet. Shortly after, I got a phone call at work, telling me that the Doctors in emergency strongly suspected he was having a heart attack, and that they were sending him to another hospital to have the blockage they suspected removed.
By the time I got to the hospital and tracked Todd down, Todd's doctor had found that one artery in his heart was 100% blocked, and they had already inserted two stents that cleared the blockage completely. Because of the short amount of time between Todd's heart attack started, and when they were able to take care of blockage, his prognosis is very promising.
Todd exercises every day, and is on a very healthy diet. He is RELATIVELY young (sorry honey), and has low cholesterol. Yet he ended up suffering a heart attack, genetics probably playing a lead role. I share our story so that all of you will be aware of the symptoms, and so that you will make sure that those you love in your life do not play it brave and wait at home playing it tough, waiting for pain to pass, not wanting to spend their night or day in an emergency room. Don't take ANY symptoms for granted - I am so grateful that my guy went to the hospital when he did.
For more information about warning signs of heart disease, please visit The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation website.
30 comments:
I am so glad your husband got to the hospital in time and that his prognosis is very good. I'm sure that was a very scary experience. I hope he continues healing well and that you have many years together. Yes, Every Day does Matter.
Wow, Nickie, thank you for sharing this. I am so glad your husband reacted in time, and that he's doing well...
Wow. Thanks for sharing this - we just never know. Things can change in an instant. I'm so glad he's okay!!
I am so so glad your husband prognosis is very good. I must have been scary for you. Thanks for posting the symptoms so that we can be aware and take action.
Your husband is very lucky he went to the emergency room. My husbands family all have heart disease. It's a very scary thing. I'm so glad he is doing better, exercising and on the mend.
By the way...your page about it is perfect.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband. Thankfully, he went to the hospital and they reacted quickly. I'm sure the doctors will keep a close eye on his arteries in the future and he will have many years ahead!
I'm glad your husband has the sense to go to the hospital. My husband has sat out several heart attacks figuring they weren't killing him (which they didn't). The problem with that is each one kills a portion of the heart till eventually there is not enough left to push the oxygen around your body. I can't make him go and he says he will when it's bad enough. This is why my husband had the quadruple instead of just the stent. Make sure your husband is aware that some attacks may not be as bad as the one he had (and hopefully he just doesn't have another) but he should still go to the hospital.
Your lettering expresses the sharp pain and fright of the event very clearly.
Will keep you all in my prayers for a speedy recovery.
Will keep you all in my prayers, Nicolette. My husband had a heart event last August - the ventricles went haywire. Fortunately, I was sitting beside him and, again, fortunately, our EMS guys are only a mile away. It's a very frightening experience - thank God your husband got himself to the hospital! May his recovery go quickly & easily!
It was so wonderful of you to think of the rest of us in the midst of your trauma. Thank you so much. Good for your husband for going right to the hospital. For some reason men seem to be reluctant to do that (being a former ER nurse, I know of what I speak) ... bless both of you and may you both have good health from here on. nancy
So glad your husband listened to the signs and made it through well.
Prayers on a speedy recovery and good times ahead for you both.
My Dad had his first heart attack in his mid forties as well. I am so thankful to hear that your story has a happy ending, just as my Dad's did. I'm keeping your family in my prayers.
Oh wow! I am so glad Todd went to the doctor and things didn't turn out worse. Thanks also for sharing. I hope he is recovering well.
So sorry to hear this happened, Nick, but glad he is recuperating well. {hugs} xoxo
Very, very scary. Thanks for the message.
My best wishes to your husband and hope that he's all better now. Thank you very much for the post, and I think the message is very well delivered.
Nicolette, this is a brave subject to make a post about, and it's very considerate of you to pass on the message to others. I'm so pleased that your husband came through and is doing well.
My goodness, I am so sorry - what a dreadful shock for you all. I am glad that your husband is doing well now.
Blessings on you both, and health, and joy in abundance. Your link is excellent - thank you. I'd like to add that when I took my EMT class, we were told by the paramedic teaching the class that one more sign of heart attack they look for is that the discomfort being felt is not fully relieved by position changes - get to hospital. I'm so glad your husband did.
I can't even begin to imagine how scary this was. I'll keep him in my prayers for a quick recovery, and you too for a little peace.
Your EDM family is also blindsided. This just isn't supposed to happen. Thank goodness he did listen to his body. Prayers to both of you.
Sorry to hear of this frightful experience--I hope he recovers quickly. Things like this give one a new perspective, don't they!? Your journal sketch is very expressive.
I'm thrilled to hear that your husband will be okay. How terrifying that must have been for both of you. Hugs to you!
Oh goodness, I'm so sorry about your husband! We'll be sure to keep you in our prayers for continued recovery! It's great of you to write this...it is so important for us to hear. I'm forty-two and sometimes forget I'm not twenty anymore and things like this can happen!
Oh wow... I'm so glad he's all right! Thanks for sharing this, and I hope you guys are doing all right.
My thoughts are with you Nickie and best wishes for a speedy recovery for your husband. So glad he got the care he needed.
Joan Gillman Smith
www.flickr.com/photos/joangillmansmith/
Nicolette, I am sorry to hear about your husband! My prayers are with you and your family! It is a scary scenario, we weathered three of them with my husband's mother... peace
SO glad your husband got took his signs seriously. Thanks for sharing the symptoms and I hope that he never has to experience this again and recovers rather quickly.
Jeez...... too close for comfort there eh?! heart attacks and strokes run in my family too, with 3 out of 4 of my geandparents dying from them so this is something I'm going to have to watch out for...
Sorry to hear about your husband! It's a good thing he didn't let it slide by. My husband had a bleeding stroke 7 years ago next month. He didn't want me to call 911, I'm glad I did he's 80% back to normal after a lot of hard work on both our parts...Peggy in OH
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