Gert has HEART ATTACK! WARNING!

[gertbysea]

OK did that get your  attention girls?

I even got out my keyboard fro my iPad to write this story/

Two weeks ago on a Sat morning while  walking  in Cairns Central Shopping Centre I felt  as if some two people had lassoed me. One tight under my breasts and one tight  above my breasts. The pain was a steady pull backward an radiated up to my jaw on both sides. That pain was sharper and worse there than the banding pain across my chest. Really scary. I felt slight nauseated ans started to sweat. I found a seat and sat. I looked up and around and spotted the sign pointing to the Medicall Centre up the next level.

I sat for a few minutes until the pain seemed to ease and made my way up to the Doctors. 

I  must have given the receptionist a fright as she called the doctor out and he rushed me to the treatment room where he gave me a spray of NITROLINGUAL  [NITROGLYCERIN]  under the tongue of course. He then put  the oxygen on VIA mask and  ran out to get a  soluble aspirin which I swallowed.  He then put the cardiogram leads on and started an ECG.

Meanwhile the receptionist was trying to get some info from me.  I was slightly confused and  amused.  I never  use my Nanna mobile so had very little experience finding my daughters phone number. In any case I did  and she was told to meet me at the hospital. The doctor put a cannula in which was nice of hm as it saved the ambos from doing it.

The two female paramedics were there within 5 minutes. They delivered two more sprays of the NITROLINGUAL and I was in the hospital within ten minutes.

Blood was taken for cardiac enzymes. Another ECG  and I was observed. 

My DH arrived immediately, took my shopping and the car keys. She drove home got DH and they went to pick up the car from the shopping centre.  When they came back I told them to bugger off as I would be there for some hours yet.

When you have a suspected heart attack blood is taken ASAP and then  at least 6 to 7 hours later to compare changes. So I knew I would have to stay.  I also had a chest X-ray.  MY blood tests were normal so I was allowed to leave.

Thank goodness I had my iPad but sadly not my  Kindle. I was worried  my batts would run out but not so. Luckily I  had a good  9 hours of charge.

A no time did I panic as  knew to get help immediately. MY blood pressure was about normal the whole time so I was pretty certain I was not having a heart attack even though all the symptoms pointed to it.

I was able to leave the hospital at 2100 having arrived at 1100. I was given a script for NITROLINGUAL spray and aspirin 100mg. I was given a letter for my GP to fill out  which would admit me to the rapid access cardio unit at the hospital.

On Monday, after my weekend with my son, [who I did not tell] I had a stress test.

The stress test is nothing to be afraid of and was a walk on the treadmill while wearing ECG leads. This ruled out angina as the cause of all the fuss which was the  ultimate conclusion from the emergency doctors.

The cardiac specialist had a wee bet that angina [narrowing of arteries to the heart] would be discovered as the cause. I won. He was happy to concede that this time the nurse was correct after telling me that nurses are the worst at diagnosis their own illness. .

I was gracious enough to not say "told ya so".

Lessons learned.

1. Carry a soluble aspirin......just in case.
2. Do not PANIC.
3. Heart pain in not necessarily  in the heart and pain can radiate to unexpected areas like your shoulder or jaw. In my case the jaw pain was worse than  the chest pain.
4. Get help immediately. It is important to get those blood tests happening

Always get to hospital before lunch. I was ravenous by dinner which was a lovely tuna salad.
Never leave home without a fully charged iPad.
Never leave home without your Kindle.

Don't whine and keep your sense of humour. The staff are doing their best.

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL, REMEMBER WHAT YOUR MOTHER SAID.
ALWAYS WEAR CLEAN UNDIES


Gert still here wondering what t was all about.

[Yvette]

Gert OMG you are just telling us know, so glad you are ok. So what was the pain then? Glad you kept your sense of humour did you have on your good undies?

[Halex]

Gert, goodness what a shock to read this.

So glad you saw the medical centre.

Big hug.

Hally

[gertbysea]

No idea what it was all about. Maybe a warning that my body is fighting back after years of abuse.

My mother would be pleased but I ain't telling her either.

Gert

[mcmich]

Deary me Gert. Glad that it wasn't a heart attack.
Good to know about the stress test, I have been putting mine off until I get a bit fitter.

Very good advice.

[gertbysea]

Also Judy reminded me that we should also tell someone to come on to the forum and say we have fallen off the perch. My DH promised to write to ya. We do worry if people suddenly stop positing.

Gert

[gertbysea]

Deary me Gert. Glad that it wasn't a heart attack.
Good to know about the stress test, I have been putting mine off until I get a bit fitter.

Very good advice.

You do not need to be fit for a stress test.  Only took about 15 minutes all up. Easy peasy.

Just do it!

Gert

[Halex]

Good point Gert, specially regular posters.

H

[CreamPuff63]

I thought you were a bit quiet last week. Glad you are ok, and you must be thankful that you at least followed one piece of your mothers device and wore clean undies. BTW I thought aspirin was best after a stroke? I'm packing up my iPad and kindle next time I walk out the door that's for sure.

[Katiej]

Wow Gert, that is big news.
I'm glad you were close to the medical centre and could get the attention you needed quickly.
It must have been hard for you not to tell your son.

[goldfish]

Deary me Gert. Glad that it wasn't a heart attack.
Good to know about the stress test, I have been putting mine off until I get a bit fitter.

Very good advice.

You do not need to be fit for a stress test.  Only took about 15 minutes all up. Easy peasy.

Just do it!

Gert

REally glad you're ok, Gert.  You've been missed!!  LIke mcmich, I'm to do a stress test but I've been putting if off as I'm not even sure I can walk for 15 minutes (bad knees, etc), but with your words of wisdom maybe I should just . . do it . . .!!

[Yvette]

I don't have an ipad or a kindle  but am mighty fast at using my mobile 

[Mama Fergie]

So glad to hear you are ok Gert. What a scare.

I noticed you hadn't been posting as often as usual.

My mum was the same about the clean undies! 

Take care

MF

[astarra]

Gert...glad you are OK. 

[judydawn]

Dear Gert, you always make light out of a stressful situation - you will surely go to your grave with a smile on your face, not just yet though I hope 

As I have already told you, the last stress test I had I was asked to run for as long as I could - 9 minutes later I had to stop because I wanted/needed a drink.  I was dreading them telling me I had to go for another one down the track but now I know you were only walking on the treadmill, I sure am going to tell them I will walk not run