50 years old & had a heart attack

15 years ago

Yep, long story short-- Wed. night started with SEVERE chest pains, sweating, pain in both arms, almost passed out. Yelled for DH to call 911. Sure enough, they took me to heart cath and put in 2 stints in my heart arteries. Was transferred from ICU Sat. and just got home. I feel fine, just have to take it easy for now. I know part of this was from my lifestyle, but ALOT is from when my heart REALLY broke 10 months ago when Rachel was killed. I guess the stress finally got me!

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Comments (41)

tammyms
15 years ago
Bless your heart. Please take care of yourself. You've been through so much. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Tammy
gadgets
15 years ago
My prayers are also with you, Jamie. I'm just glad that your DH was there with you when it happened. Stay well, please.

Shirley
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glenda_al
15 years ago
Sending you a great big hug!
carol_in_california
15 years ago
Jamie, I will keep you in my healing prayers.
I am so glad you went to the ER right away instead of putting it off. Too many people, especially women, think it is nothing serious even when they know it is.
Keep us updated on how you are doing.
Are you going to go to cardiac rehab? My DH went and found it to be very helpful, especially the support from the other men and women in the group.
summer_tx
15 years ago
My goodness Jamie, I know that had to be so scart for you and your family. Thank God you are alright and they found the problem and fixed it. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I'm so sorry for your sadness and stress.
susan_on
15 years ago
I'm so sorry, Jamie. You've had a rough year. I hope you make a speedy recovery.
Georgysmom
15 years ago
I had three stents put in about seven years ago. I was lucky, I didn't have a heart attack although 1 artery was 90 percent blocked and another 80 percent. Doctors said because I'm so active, other arteries had taken over. I consider myself very lucky as I am sure you do also. I was back in T.J. Maxx three days later. LOL. I did have problems with the after meds. When I told my doctor I was going to bed with tears in my eyes and waking up in tears she said I was probably depressed because I realized I had heart disease. No, no no!!! said I. That's just not me. I think it's the medication and it was. I tell you this so that if it happens, don't sell yourself short. You may not react to the medications the way I did, everyone is different, but just in case, I wanted you to be aware.
Jamie_LA
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks everyone! I had 100% blockage in one artery, and 85% in the other. Pretty scary. Weird part is, we have a strong family history of heart disease in my family. My brother had a heart attack a few months ago and had the EXACT blockage as I did. So, family history plays a big part also.
suzieque
15 years ago
jamie - blessings to you as you strive to recover yet another blow. Know that you have scores of people supporting you.
petaloid
15 years ago
Sending good thoughts your way for strength and good health.
vala55
15 years ago
I read an article years ago that said losing a loved one either by death or divorce puts you at a higher risk of dying than at any time in your life.
hallngarden
15 years ago
Jamie, you are in my prayers. When I looked at one of your last pictures that you posted, all I could think was, there is a small little lady with a big heart. You have been very strong for all that you have faced in the last year. So glad you were smart enough to get care when it happened. You take care of you and yours.
Kathsgrdn
15 years ago
Aw, Jamie, I'm sorry. You've been through so much lately. I'm glad you made it to the ER and got things taken care of. Saying a prayer that you don't have any more problems with your heart.
lynn_d
15 years ago
Oh Jamie, please take good care of yourself. My husband lost his best friend, his cousin, at the tender age of 47 due to a heart attack. Or rather a broken heart....12 weeks to the day after the loss of his son. We always say that Walt wanted to be with Chad so badly that he left us all. Please take good care.
nanatricia
15 years ago
I am so very sorry you are going through so much .I pray God will heal you heart in more ways than one.
phyllis__mn
15 years ago
Sending caring thoughts for healing to you, Jamie.
bulldinkie
15 years ago
Take care!!!!!!!!!!
lydia1959
15 years ago
I'm glad you paid attention to the symptoms and didn't just blow them off like so many people do. Take it easy for awhile.
((Jamie))
gardenspice
15 years ago
Best thoughts for a full and quick recovery.
FlamingO in AR
15 years ago
Pookie! That's so scary, I'm glad you're OK and that Tim got you the help you needed. I hope it's a smooth road to recovery for you. Gosh, I'm glad you're OK.
User
15 years ago
Take care of yourself.
Mickey15
15 years ago
I'm glad you're okay Jamie.
Hugs.
Tammy
donna_oh
15 years ago
God Bless you & take it easy!

Donna (^_^)
kacram
15 years ago
Oh, Jamie! I'm so glad you guys called 911.
hang in there kiddo...
lisa_fla
15 years ago
So glad you went right to the hospital! THis is a good wake up call for all of us to take care of ourselves. Now your heart can start to heal. Hang in there. Things have been so hard for you, something had to give. Sending good thoughts.
kim_okla
15 years ago
I'm so sorry Jamie. I hope you feel better soon.
yayagal
15 years ago
I'm sorry you had to have such a scary experience but happy to know you're safe now and feeling better. Of course you've been stressed, who could blame you after Rachel's death, the stress must be so awful. I don't know how you cope but I pray that you'll try to be happy, she would want that. God bless.
jemdandy
15 years ago
Hang in there! You were lucky, and let's hope for a good recovery.

I had a stent placed 2 years ago, and it has worked fine.

The important thing is to follow up on the after care program if your hospital offers one. This rehabilation is normally covered at least for the most part by insurnace. it may seem like a dippy program at first, but I can tell you that it is necessary for good recovery. First off, it will try to change a sedentary life style to a more active one. You will find that daily activity is important. One does not have to exercise to the extreme to gain benefit.

A heart rehabitation program is important. During the exercise portion, you will wear a heart monitor so that the team can keep track of your condition and get a measure of your progress. In my program, I went in for exercise on treadmills and bikes. The effort level was slow;ly increased as i progressed. The rehab lasted 6 weeks. your program may vary.

For your sake, do not skip this part of recovery. You will find at the end that you will have more stamina and a better feeling about yourself. It is critical to get the blood flowing again to stave off another blockage. Winter is tough on the cardivaascular system because we become too sedentary. We hole up and wait for spring. Unfortunatley, we do not make good bears and should maintain some level of activity. I suppose that one could "hole up" and get by with it if his food intake was adjusted downward accordingly, but you know that does not happen. Inactivity can lead to bone loss. So, get off thy butt and MOVE. Remember, it does not have to be extreme effort to benefit. It has to be enough effort to give a proper level of exercise. As you gain strength, you will naturally take on a higher level of exercise. Do not over do it.
des_arc_ya_ya
15 years ago
Oh, Jamie. I'm so glad that you got right in there and got things fixed! It's time to do some good/healthy things for you now. You have a whole family that loves you and a lot of reasons to live!!!

(Not a small thing is the group of people around this old table.......)

((Jamie))
katlan
15 years ago
How scary. I'm very glad you got help in time. I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one can truly strike a blow. I pray God will heal your heart and your grief.
country_bumpkin_al
15 years ago
That's scarey!!! Sending Prayers for a quick recovery!!!
Marilyn Sue
15 years ago
Please take care and so sorry this has happened to you. Prayers to help you heal.

Sue
chisue
15 years ago
I'm so glad you are still WITH US!

Listen to Jemdandy. Medicine can do a lot, but we have to do our part in maintaining 'the pump'.
jannie
15 years ago
I am so sorry these awful things have happened to you. follow doctors orders and get well fast!
nodakgal
15 years ago
Our friend had a heart attack at 48. It was so unreal. He has a teenage son and daughter living with him. Lucky they were both home at the time and drove him to the ER.

I am very glad you had someone there with you at the time Jamie. Time is SO very important.
Follow your doctors orders dear gal!
Sending gentle healing hugs for you.
chisue
15 years ago
Following up on nodakgal's post: Unless you don't HAVE emergency services where you are, do not wait for a civilian to drive you to the ER. A paramedic is much more likely to be able to keep you and your brain alive enroute to the hospital, and you'll get there faster, safer.
country_sunshine
15 years ago
It's good you got the the hosp. right away.... I have suffered from a heart attack followed by a quad mypass.. and learned I must stay active and take care of myself..

Glad it wasn't more serious...
God Be with you..

Carolyn
Charlee_MO
15 years ago
(((Jamie))) so glad you got the help in time.

My Dmom was 50 when she had her first heart attack. I'm 50.

Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Granlan_TX
15 years ago
Thinking of you, Jamie.

Hope this scare will encourage you to alter your lifestyle. I need to do the same thing.

Bless your heart and I really mean that. :)

Lana
Pieonear
15 years ago
So glad you are ok.
sjerin
15 years ago
Oh my goodness! I'm so glad you are ok, Jamie. Have they put you on any kind of a program--exercise and meditation? I do hear meditation can be wonderfully helpful though it does take some time to learn the art of emptying your mind. You've been under such a lot of stress; I hope you're feeling somewhat better these days.

50 years old & had a heart attack

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