Posted on 08/06/2019 10:19:31 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Angel Vazquez, 38, of Kissimmee, Florida, vividly remembers the moment last June when he first thought he was having a heart attack. He was working from home that day—his mom was there to take care of his daughters—when suddenly he started to feel terrible.
“I started to sweat profusely, I had trouble breathing, my heart was pounding, and I felt like I was about to faint,” he tells Runner’s World. “I didn’t want to freak anyone out, but I just had a gut feeling. My dad had two heart attacks and my uncle had a few as well.”
So he grabbed two aspirins, chewed them up, and waited, hoping that he would start to feel better. Eventually, though, he heeded his mom’s advice and headed to the ER.
“I could not stop sweating,” Vazquez says. “I had never sweat that much before. I could soak whole towels.”
So his mom, along with his stepdad and daughters, quickly loaded up into the car, and called his wife, Jayme, on the way to the hospital.
A Serious Diagnosis
An EKG—a test that measures the heart’s electrical activity—at the hospital revealed only small abnormalities, but because of his family history, his doctors kept him overnight. They wanted to test his blood for elevated protein levels that would reveal if he actually did experience a heart attack.
After the test, his cardiologist determined that he had a small heart attack, and reassured Vazquez and his wife that they shouldn’t be too worried. He was sent for a heart catheterization to determine how well his heart was working, and given the possibility that a stent would need to be put in.
It was supposed to be a 45-minute procedure, tops. So when he was not done two hours later, Vazquez’s wife knew something was wrong.
(Excerpt) Read more at runnersworld.com ...
I’d at least wait until the glue sets.
Nice story of perseverance
In the past year, we have had 3 friends that we know of, who received 3 non emergency stents and those 3 went home then next day. They beat having heart attacks with prompt stent intervention.
3 more had heart attacks and had their stents post MI, and spent an average of 3 days in the hospitals. They ignored their symptoms until they actually had heart attacks and were admitted at the ERs and sent to the cardiac units.
The heart is a muscle, and portions will die off depending on where the blockage is. These sections do not recover.
Always call 911 and get an ambulance response. An ambulance is a hospital on wheels, and can provide much more immediate care to increase the possibility of a good outcome.
I had a scare last week, feeling faint and swooning while cooking dinner. I barely made it to the couch. Spots before my eyes, all four limbs felt heavy, sudden itching on my arms and belly.
Our daughter took us to the E.R., where I was kept until 5:00 AM. Determination was overwork, lack of sleep.
MRI of my head showed no change from a similar event four years ago. Chest X-RAY showed calcification of the aortic arch.
Time to get the CAC scan:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-heart-test-you-may-need-but-likely-havent-heard-of
I am reading this laying in my hospital bed after open heart surgery. My problem was I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve that started leaking badly resulting in an arotic aneurysm. I had to have the valve and ascending aorta replaced. I am 9 days post-surgery and will likely go home tomorrow. The article gives me encouragement.
I admire his ambition, his get up and go spirit, but he’s pushing himself to do a whole lot very quickly.
Too quickly, in my opinion, but it is his own life.
This is someone who thrives on reaching and surpassing goals.
A very valuable trait in our culture. That can work for you and against you.
“The article gives me encouragement.”
it’s a rough recovery, especially the first 3 weeks at home, but you should eventually be fine ...
I am here to encourage you with an even more incredible story than the Runner’s World article.
I am a former runner, now 74, who developed a minor heart murmur when about 35 - during stress test, cardio said, “You are fine - it’s minor - just keep running” as I broke the machine.
When 60, my doc said murmur was too loud, I needed to see a cardio. In 30 seconds, cardio said, “You have a bi-cuspid aortic valve - an echocardiogram will show us.” He was correct. He said I’d need valve replaced in 10 years.
I was checked every year and there was no decay, but I could no longer run - but I had a runner’s heart.
In year 4 cardio said “your aortic valve may not open at any moment - and you’ll be gone. We need to operate today!” I didn’t want to believe it, got a 2nd opinion who said same thing. A doc friend said if I didn’t have surgery immediately, I’d be committing suicide.
Not something a Christian does - so I had surgery. In heart cath, they said I had major blockage and also needed a triple bypass. “NO WAY! I’ve been a runner!”
Next day I had both aortic valve replacement and triple bypass - by God’s grace, the 5 hour surgery went well. I had the best cardio surgeon in Virginia. I’ve had 8 major surgeries, and that’s the only one I never want again! But I determined to get well quick!
I followed ICU’s directions explicitly and was home in 3 days. Told my surgeon I wanted to be his best patient ever, and followed his instructions explicitly. I began walking in 4 days - he said, “Just don’t get out of breath.” I didn’t.
In 7 days after surgery, I was walking 1 mile/day!!! By God’s grace of course!
14 days after surgery, I was walking 3 miles a day. 3 weeks after surgery, I was walking 5 miles a day. I gradually increased that to between 6 and 9 miles a day.
9 months after open heart surgery, I ran a full 10k! And I continued running until I was 69 when arthritis under my kneecaps forced me to quit running - interestingly, my knees themselves are fine.
I really miss my running, but now walk 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 miles 5 days/week.
My message: WALK, WALK, WALK! Don’t get out of breath - BUT WALK!
Best way possible for you to heal and get your heart back in shape.
May the Lord bless your recovery and healing.......
Forgot to add that I’ve never had a heart attack or major chest pain other than a chest cold.....and all recent stress tests show my heart is strong with no blockages.
However, the porcine aortic valve typically has a life of 10 - 15 years, and mine will need replacing in the next 3 -4 years.....stenosis (doesn’t open as much) is inevitable and will require replacement.
Hope I am eligible for the replacement done through the vein or artery - don’t want open chest surgery again.....
Best advice I have it to get involved in cardio rehab when your doctor allows it. Stay consistent with it. I’ll be completing my 36th, and final, session tomorrow. Could only walk about 15 yards without severe tiring six months ago. Ran 7/10 of a mile yesterday.
Good reminder. That’s what the paramedics always tell us when we take the Cub Scouts to the Fire & Rescue station.
I have 5 stents in 3 of 4 heart arteries; I was too sick with pancreatitis to undergo bypass, and may need another stent in the 4th artery. Drs say I’m not a candidate for a bypass yet, but at 69, who knows?
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