“from the onset of my husbands symptoms, to his ER collapse was less than an hour”
If you don’t mind my asking, what was your husband doing that day before symptoms?
I had a discussion w/my doc once concerning symptoms, etc.. He had indicated that for this type of case, there is typically some form of exertion that the patient performs before experiencing the symptoms. It doesn’t happen when you’re just sitting there.
Hi—glad to share...
The day before, he worked. He had some upset stomachs issues, but it was AllStar tournament baseball season so we had been eating “on the go” and after grabing something quick, he took our youngest son to baseball (and he pitched batting practice and then worked bull pen duty w/pitchers). He came on tired; and his left shoulder was hurting (but he dismissed they, thinking it was from all the pitching he had done over the previous weeks).
The morning of the heart attack he was nauseous in a way he had never felt before. His left shoulder bothered his and he had NO coloring, his lips were gray. I called off work and told him we should get him checked. He wanted to wait til our doctors office opened up, but I insisted that we go to the ER. He was adamanent NO 911 call for an ambulance, and I recall he said we would both spend day in ER waiting to be checked in. Amazingly we made it to ER he walked in; was sitting at admitting; slumped in chair (I’m off parking the car) and they called the Code.
When came in, the waiting room seemed in shock, I asked at the desk if my husband was checked in, and was told an ER doctor what happened, they they moved him to Cath lab and that a hospital social worker would be joining me asap. I don’t know what all happened but they gave me a bag w/his clothes/belongings and they cut his pants to get to artery to insert Cath.
I called our oldest son and he arrived in time for us to go into Cath theatre to see him (after the procedure). The blood was stunning & graphic (gauze, etc) but as caths are done while the pt is awake, my husband was able to talk w/us before he was taken to CICU. His color was restored and the Doctor was very gifted and encouraging. They explained the timing and how quickly they “got in there” and got the clot (that’s what kills).
He spent 9 days in CICU and several more days in a step down unit. He was on short term disability for three months. He had several other small stents (per the cardiologist they were “nothing burgers”).
His 6 year anniversary is this July—and doing great. He takes a “cocktail” of blood thinners/cholesterol meds, and has yearly stress tests.
If I can clarify anything for you, Freep mail me.
Lastly ALWAYS seek medical attention if you don’t feel “right” and ALWAYS call an ambulance.