Death by Heart attack - aged 34 - Heart Disorders Message Board

Tiina · 10-10-2005, 08:54 PM

Hi

I am looking for answers and information. My sister's husband, aged 34, died 2 weeks ago from a heart attack. The coroner found that he had ischemic heart disease (but he didnt know it). He left behind two children, 2 years and 14 months. Aside from the tragedy of this all, that I am still too numb to feel as yet - is this a common occurence? Is there any information that someone can provide as to the causes of this? Jim did have a lot of stress in his life, cholestrol, have a belly but not obese in any way, didnt drink or smoke, and recently left work. This really was a tragic death - unexpected and in public. The children witnessed it. One minute the little boy was running to dad excitedly for a hug, and the next second his dad collapsed and died. Oh boy!!
Please help

Tina

started04 · 10-11-2005, 10:16 AM

About 25% of heart disorders happen with silent ischemia. Ischemia is almost always due to clogged heart arteries. The first indication is pain or discomfort in the chest area (angina) and treatable, however, silent ischemia progresses without any pain or symptoms until it is too late and there is heart muscle damage and heart failure. This happened to me. First indication was pulmonary edema (fluids in the lung) causing breathing problems and an emergency hospitalization.

I'm so sorry to hear the circumstances and my condolences to you and the family.

missy101 · 10-11-2005, 01:59 PM

What tests would show something like this?? Even the silent kind? Would it show up on an echo?

TO THE OP:

I am so sorry for your loss and the lossof your family. My thoughts are with you. I cannot imagine. I am so sorry.

pa235 · 10-11-2005, 03:47 PM

I am so sorry for your loss.

My husband age 67 had a heart attack 3 months ago, he is a survivor and doing well. He had med. controlled high b/p, his cholestrol was fine. Two years prior he had a stress test one year and a thallium stress test the next and passed both. He never had any symtons, no sob or edema just woke me at 1 a.m. and said call a ambulance I am having a heart attack. He had a cath done, in fact two, two days apart and 100% and 80% blocked. So you cannot rely on the tests either.

I asked the cardio why he showed no symtons and why he passed the tests, he said the tests have lots of false positives and negs. and no way did my husband become blocked like he was in 2 years.

Tiina · 10-11-2005, 06:34 PM

So there was really nothing that could be done? Damn thats cruel! Do most people die from silent ischemic heart disease because they dont know they are sick? How can you not have symtpoms and then die? So many questions, but no more hope for him! I wish we would have known.

I am glad you are doing well.

Tina