It keeps getting worse

[facthunter]

Good on you, space. Speed is very Important in these matters.  Nev

[octave]

 

On the subject of heart attacks, a problem is that we tend to have this dramatic idea of what a heart attack is like. Movies and even health adverts tend to show the victim clutching their chest and in severe pain.  This is not always the case.

 

Silent Heart Attack

[facthunter]

But it frequently IS.  Nev

[octave]

25 minutes ago, facthunter said:

But it frequently IS.  Nev

But when it is not, the consequences can be bad.  In a way, it is lucky if a heart attack is stereotypical because the extreme pain prompts most people to seek treatment.  The silent heart attack has all the negative outcomes without the strong warning signs. 

 

"Approximately 45% of heart attacks are estimated to be silent, meaning they occur without the classic, noticeable symptoms like intense chest pain. These silent heart attacks can be identified through diagnostic tests like electrocardiograms (ECGs) and are associated with a similar risk of future death as heart attacks with noticeable symptoms"

 

[onetrack]

I had a BIL who had his first heart attack at 40. He had about another 4 or 5 heart attacks, until he finally keeled over at 70. He actually died several times, and was revived each time.

He told me once how he felt unwell, and asked his wife to take him to hospital. As he walked into the lobby, he keeled over with a heart attack. He told me he remembered exactly what it was like.

 

He said he was going fine, just walking in, when his vision suddenly narrowed in from the edges, like someone closing shutters on him. He said his eyesight simply went to a pinpoint, straight ahead, and at that point was where he obviously keeled over. He said he remembered nothing after his eyesight closed in on him, until he woke up, recovering from the heart attack, in the hospital bed.

 

He had numerous operations and was on constant blood thinners, but he was obviously a walking heart attack looking for a place to happen. I was quite surprised that he actually made 70.

[facthunter]

Blood tests will indicate whether you have had a Heart arrack if done at the right time. One time Post op I didn't even make it home because I wasn't medicated properly at discharge. Ambo'd to Hospital I was in extreme pain and Lot's of Morphine did nothing to alleviate it. .. There is a long story, which I will spare you but my heart still tests NORMAL Despite the efforts of some experts in the Game, YOU and what you do will play a big part in it..  Nev

[octave]

The blood test for a heart attack is to measure Troponin.  Troponin is a protein released by damaged muscle tissue.   Unfortunately, it is a measure of the damage already done; however, it does mean that treatment can begin, and further damage can hopefully be avoided. 

[facthunter]

Unless you make changes to the lifestyle that May have contributes to it. Things like Stents and Bypass surgery will often have limited effect. Rheumatic Fever when you are young can damage Heart Arteries.  Sometimes Genetic factors play a Part.   Nev