***"A study of 406 sudden cardiac death patients indicates that they often have symptoms, especially the typical symptom angina pectoris [chest pain] for as long as 120 minutes before an arrest," ***
Tell me about it! My dad died after severe shest pains but refused to see the doctor.
Not long ago I began to have short duration chest pains, went to the doctor and was put on Nitro, then an angiogram showed a blocked artery. I now have a stent and no pains.
If you ever have severe heart pains that feel like someone is squeezing your heart, GET TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FAST!
My dad smoked, drank, and ate the worst possible foods.
I didn't do any of these, (except for the foods) and still ended up with heart problems.
Don't think tha aspirin or other meds will prevent this. I have been on Coumadin for sixteen years and still ended up with a blocked artery in the heart.
I read another article, which basically said based on some studies, that genetics trump lifestyle every time. Some people can watch their diet, exercise, do all the right things, and still have heart and artery disease, others can eat anything, smoke, drink and have no ill effects.
I hope that they will identify the genes that are involved and eventually use gene therapy to eradicate this disease.
Someone I know quite well does not exactly follow a healthy lifestyle and it is obvious that they will eventually have heart problems or stroke. Every once in a while this person complains of chest pains but it always turns out to be a false alarm. For example a pulled muscle or recent one that was a lung pain related to asthma. I have sometimes wondered if there is something about the chest pain related to heart problems that is more specifically identifiable. This would help the next time this comes up.
Descriptions I have read from people who had heart attacks say things like the pain was like a heavy load of bricks landing on their chest. How quickly did your chest pain come on? Did you have any pain in your arm?