Hi everyone,

Over the weekend I had the feeling of an elephant sitting on my chest. I do have mild emphysema, and asthma(which I have had no problems with for awhile) Anyway I started taking my inhaler because of difficult breathing. Sunday night started coughing, runny nose, and bringing up green yellow junk. Chalked it up to bronchitis. Went to the Dr today, he listened to heart & lungs, ordered an emergency EKG. Came back abnormal. I asked what that meant. He said that it actually said that it meant I was having a heart attack right now...BUT he didn't think that I was, but thought that I had, had one over the weekend. He set me up to have a stress test next week, and told me that if I had ANY PAIN, SHORTNESS of BREATH, or any more ELEPHANTS sitting on my chest to get to the hospital.

My entire family has heat problems. 1 sister, 1 brother, grandparents both had heart attacks (many) father died at 57 from heart attack. Aunts and uncles too. I have VERY GOOD cholesterol HDL-111 LDL 40 BP today was 98/57 always very good BP Diet is very healthy. no processed foods, no fried foods. Strickly veggies, fruits, salads, skinless chicken, tuna, some cheese, ect....

So my ????? Does anyone think that I could have had a heat attack???? I may be in denial, but i just think this is nutty. I went to the Dr for Bronchitis, and come out with a heart attack..... Weird.

Thanks,

Sid

You said you have emphysema - did you or do you smoke? Did your Doctor take note of your asthma meds? Just wondering if they could have contributed to your attack - if you have family history then I wonder what types of heart disease did they have/had??? Maybe it's a hereditary thing? I have a condition of the heart that doesn't have anything to do with diet or whether or not I smoked. So there are some conditions that do not require that type of history.....were under any type of emotional stress when the elephant sat on your chest???

I was having similar symptoms, with pain in chest, heart racing and blood pressure going up. I went to my doc and also had an "abnormal" EKG. She did a bunch of bloodwork and set me up for a stress test. The stress test showed no problems, HOWEVER, my bloodwork came back showing low potassium, low magnesium, and very low vitamin d. She said especially the low potassium will make for a funky EKG and scary symptoms. Supplements have made me feel better almost immediately.
I too have a family history of heart problems, so I had myself dead and buried, or at least facing bypass surgery!! I guess what I am trying to say is, don't take it lightly but don't panic. Go get your stress test and take it from there. I hope it is something simple. Might ask your doc about the bloodwork for the mineral and vitamin levels if he hasn't checked that out on you. Good luck and keep looking up!

Hi,

Thanks for the fast replies.......I have been under some stress. Not bad, but stress just the same. I did smoke heavy for yrs, quit 4 1/2 yrs ago. Dr knows my meds. I have EXCELLENT Dr's and have had really great care. I tested high potassium in the past, then back to normal recently. Low Vit D, taking 1600 IU daily. Also have Fibromyalgia, Myofacial pain syndrome, and mild Kidney failure. BUT I feel really good considering all of my health problems. I just keep moving. Have too!!!!!!!

Emphysema and asthma have NOT bothered me in over a yr. I had been exercising daily, until 3-4 weeks ago. Had diverticulitis, and then away. But I do cardio videos, and walk 2-4 miles daily on treadmill @ 3.8 - 4.0 mph when I am feeling ok. Workout 30 -45 min. a day. I just find this very weird, and kind of freaky...

Anyone have any suggestions????

Thanks again for everything.

Sid

Well, as I'm sure you already know, smoking can cause heart disease so even though you've been doing everything else so well (and fantastic that you quit 4.5 yrs ago - I'm coming up to my 4th year of no smoking) then it may be the adverse effects of smoking. It may seem sudden but maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Try not to worry - can't do anything until your appointment and yes you could have had a heart attack but the Doctor is the one who'll confirm it after he tests you. Good luck and keep us posted.

Dear Sid,

At this point, relax yourself and take the stress off. There is a condition which I know that your doctor is familiar with: "silent ischemia."

It does not carry with it all the symptoms associated with a heart attack.

Rest well, my friend and be assured that you are in my prayers.

Take care
God Bless
FTM

FTM,

Thanks for the post....I am having the EKG faxed to my girlfriends husband(Yes the jerk) I will let him read it, and see what he thinks,. He will then call me and educate me on heart conditions, and diverticulitis......OH JOY this will be fun....NOT!!!!!!

Hope you are feeling better too.

Hugs,

Sid