Just got out from 5 days in the Cardiac department at my 'local' hospital. 2 stents placed and feeling a lot better.

Back ground: I'm 65 years old. A bit porky, but not in bad shape, fairly active lifestyle.

About 6 weeks ago, noticed I was wheezing in the mornings when I woke up. Also experienced occasional minor shortness of breath when I was working outside in the yard. Given the time of year, I put it down to allergies coming on from tree and ragweed pollen as we live in a rural area and harvest was just getting started. Took Zyrtec and benadryl and noticed minor improvement but not enough to stop me from making an appointment at the clinic.

Couldn't get in to see my primary doctor so took the first available. Went in, and had my chest listened to and a chest x-ray taken and read. Nothing remarkable was found so the Doc kicked me out with some antibiotics and an Albuterol inhaler. Neither seemed to make much difference, so fast forward and I made a follow up with my primary about 2 weeks later. She took a listen to my chest and decided what she was hearing required an echo-cardiogram and an ultrasound of my chest.

When those were read, they revealed I was suffering from heart failure (CHF), with an ejection fraction of 20%(!) - normal being anywhere from 50 to 70%. A swift referral to a Cardiologist ensued and I was off to the races.

An angiogram was undertaken and disclosed 99%, 95%, and 50% blockages of my coronary arteries. Along with labs it also showed that, although I'd had no classic symptoms, at some point in the past I had a myocardial infarction. A consult with a cardiac surgeon revealed I was a poor prospect for surviving bypass surgery, so arrangements for stent placement were made. I was admitted immediately.

I had the pleasure of 4 days lying in hospital while they filled me full of Lasix (to remove fluid), Metronopol (to improve heartbeat) and various other potions to help my chances of not croaking during the wait for the procedure.

Had the stents placed on Tuesday - the procedure was cake, the closure of the access points in both groins, not so much but bearable. After laying motionless on my back for 18 hours, I was discharged yesterday afternoon feeling much, much better. When I asked the doctor discharging me what would have happened if I'd left it any longer to seek a better opinion, he replied ' You were a dead man walking'.

You'd think that as a medic in a previous career, and a full time cop and volunteer EMT for many, many years I would have known better than to ignore my body asking for help, but - I am a man and we don't worry about that shit.

Cardiac rehab, dietary and lifestyle changes arranged with follow up in 3 months.

Lesson learned: Get checked, listen to what you're feeling and experiencing, keep on pushing until you get answers. Live for today, because your world can turn to shit in 'literally' a heartbeat. Tell your family you love them, often - hug your kids if you have them, your parents and your significant as often as you can. You may not get another chance to do it.

Bullet dodged: A life ending cardiac arrest.

Learn from me, I was a dumbass, you don't have to be.

Pyker.

Poker, glad you’re still with us. It could have easily ended differently.
Guess I should schedule my annual, which the last was done in 2019.
Thanks for the reminder.

Again, I’m glad you’re okay.

You were deteriorating fast, my friend. Two weeks from a normal chest exam to abnormal exam, with a HF of 20% ejection fraction. And that doc was right, "dead man walking". If you didn't listen to your body, you very likely wouldn't be here tonight. Good job!

I'm also glad you're ok! And thanks for the reminder...

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
You were deteriorating fast, my friend. Two weeks from a normal chest exam to abnormal exam, with a HF of 20% ejection fraction. And that doc was right, "dead man walking". If you didn't listen to your body, you very likely wouldn't be here tonight. Good job!

Thanks man. I know it for sure.

I ignored symptoms for quite a while as well. Eventually wound up in ICU with an ejection fraction <20%. Turns out my CHF was due to a malformed heart I never even knew I had.

Frightening stuff. Glad you’re still kicking. Once I hit 40 I made myself be a grownup and go to the doctor instead of playing the “I’m fine” game.

I'm glad you survived and got fixed.

quote:

Originally posted by Pyker:

You'd think that as a medic in a previous career, and a full time cop and volunteer EMT for many, many years…

I have come to believe paramedics are terrible at self-diagnosing cardiac problems.

My Afib had my cardiac output so low I got winded taking a shower. Bad right? Oh, it gets better. Because of the consequences of my very, very nearly fatal C. diff infection I use a bath bench. I got winded taking a shower sitting down.

That finally got my attention.

ECG, cardiac conductivity, ultrasound, and even cardiac cath (which showed zero plaque on the cardiac arteries a finding that surprised everyone, given my condition and cavalier attitude about food) and a simple cardioversion, and I’m right as rain.

My cardiologist gave me Hell when, after all this, I disclosed that I was a former paramedic. Words like “dumb” and “irresponsible” were used, and I cannot fault his assessment.

I’m down nigh on 75 pounds and eating properly, quite possibly for the first time.

Shit like this certainly grabs your attention, that's for sure.

I am quite prepared to croak when it's my time, but not earlier from simple stupidity.

@kkina - I was told I also had underlying 'Ideopathic Global Cardiac Myopathy' which the cardioligist thought might have a genetic component, so on her advice, I've notified my siblings and kids to let their physicians know.

Additionally, I had a blood test for Lipoprotein (a) level. This is not covered on a normal lipid panel and has to be specified by the doctor. Mine was elevated - which is a sign of possible future cardiac problems. Again it is often a genetic trait and needs watching once identified.

Glad you caught yours in time too.

I am glad you are well. Cheers, and thanks for the warning.

quote:

@kkina - I was told I also had underlying 'Ideopathic Global Cardiac Myopathy' which the cardioligist thought might have a genetic component, so on her advice, I've notified my siblings and kids to let their physicians know.

Yep, similar story. Turns out I have "Non-Compaction Cardiomyopathy", meaning I have grooves in my heart muscle that shouldn't be there.

Genetic screening did uncover a mutation, but there's no way to tell if that's what caused the aberrant muscle development. I informed my siblings of the possible connection, in case they ever start going through the same thing.

Pyker,

One more lesson learned to add to your sage advice. Don't drive yourself to the hospital!

Woke up at oh-dark-thirty with sweats, chest pains, the whole rigmarole. After a bit I figured this not only wasn't normal but not good so I drove the 15 minutes to the ER. Presented myself rather wobbly and as soon as I mentioned my symptoms was "gang tackled" onto a gurney. Foggy memories ensued but I recall a whole bunch of folks around me and a nurse telling me she had to shave me down there for the procedure. Woke up to a briefing (with pictures) by two cardiologists on what they found and what they did followed by a stern lecture on how stupid and dangerous it was to drive in rather than call 9-1-1 for a wagon. This back in 2006.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
Pyker,

One more lesson learned to add to your sage advice. Don't drive yourself to the hospital!

Woke up at oh-dark-thirty with sweats, chest pains, the whole rigmarole. After a bit I figured this not only wasn't normal but not good so I drove the 15 minutes to the ER. Presented myself rather wobbly and as soon as I mentioned my symptoms was "gang tackled" onto a gurney. Foggy memories ensued but I recall a whole bunch of folks around me and a nurse telling me she had to shave me down there for the procedure. Woke up to a briefing (with pictures) by two cardiologists on what they found and what they did followed by a stern lecture on how stupid and dangerous it was to drive in rather than call 9-1-1 for a wagon. This back in 2006.

QFT. Wise words.

Glad to hear you are on the mend.

You were lucky but with CHF you did not mention that you were taking CoEnzymeQ10 which is the fuel that powers your heart. I take 300 MG a day for maintenance.

Get a copy of Dr. Sinatra's book, "The Sinatra Solution: Metabolic Cardiology". In the book, he lists the four things you need to take to have a strong heart.

Also, The Coenzyme Q10 Phenomenon, is another good book by Dr. Sinatra.

None of that sounded good. Glad you are still with us. We men suck at the Dr stuff. I didn’t go to the Dr till I was bleeding profusely. Stupid. Do what they say, drop the extra weight, eat better, give yourself a fighting chance.

Thanks everyone. I have learned my lesson.