Has anyone here had a Heart Attack?

Question

Since July 2000 I have had 8 stents implanted and 1 bypass surgery. On June 1 I had my first Heart Attack.

On the way to the Hospital I asked the EMT if he could give me something for the pain. He said, I had already been given 4 morphine shots. It was the most intense pain I have ever felt and the morphine did not even touch the pain.

They put 3 more stents in. I was told my EF is now 40-45%.

I am now being counselled for severe depression.

I know about all the risk factors and I have eliminated them.

I know I will not live forever but are there any other suggestions for help? And yes I know how fortunate I am just to be alive.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

A few things come to mind about what might be done from here.

1. Your EF at six weeks after a heart attack is 40-45% which is somewhat reduced but far from the edge of disaster. I know patients living near-normal lives on 15% EF. I also know that with a good regimen of medication we often see the EF creep back to normal at six months to a year out.

2. Since you are obviously are still having significant blockages, not enough has been done in regard to managing your cholesterol numbers. For someone who is having such difficulty it is worthwhile getting some very specialized advice from a cholestrol specialist (often affliated with major research university hospitals). He/she can run specialized tests and then adjust medications based on the results. Even if your numbers seem to be in line, the standard cholestrol lab tests given are just measuring markers for other things - the better test will actually measure the specific components that contribute to heart disease. Also some good studies show us that beating LDL below 50, even to 25 continued show benefit...recently there was even reversal of plaques demonstrated.

3. Congratulations on seeking help regarding your depression. Interestingly depression is an independent risk factor for patients to do poorly after having had a heart attack. It is therefore very important that you get your depression well treated - and do not dismiss the idea of medication if necessary. If you are not sleeping well, be sure to get that treated too. No one can start to get back into the normal swing in a sleep deprived state.

4. If you are not working with a cardiac rehab unit you very much ought to be...both from cardiac and from mental health perspective.

You have some things on your plate, but they are not unmanagable. There is no reason to believe that you have one foot in the grave. Consider the things above and I am confident that you will have an improved course concerning your health.

God bless and good luck.

Answer 2

I'm posting links to several articles in which you may find more information. Even if you don't, they are very informative & easy to both understand & share with interested family & friends who want to learn how to support you!:

The Marvels of the Circulatory System
Look After Your Arteries!
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2001/3/22/article_01.htm

Heart Attack—What Can Be Done?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1996/12/8/heart_disease_a_threat.htm

High Blood Pressure—Prevention and Control
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2002/4/8a/article_01.htm

Understanding Your Doctor
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2005/1/22/article_01.htm

HOPE--Where Can You Find It? :
... Does IT Really Make a Difference?
... Why DO We Need It?
> You CAN Fight Pessimism <<<
> Where Can You Find Real Hope? <<<
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2004/4/22/article_01.htm

How Disabilities Will End
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2002/5/1/article_02.htm

When ALL Disabilities Will Disappear
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1999/6/8/article_04.htm

"Make Sure of All things; Hold Fast to what is Fine!" (1Th5:21)

Answer 3

Being the Head Nurse in a Cardiologist office..I have a question or 2 for you...Why didnt they give you Nitro? Are you doing any exercises? Seeing a cardiologist? What kinds of tests have you done? The only way to decrease your risk for another heart attack..is eliminating the risk factors and you said you already that did..please feel free to contact me thru messenger or email, id like to help you if i can, I work for the best cardiologist and he would happy to help.

Answer 4

i know what you mean about the pain,even though i wouldn't allow them to place stints in my heart,i have had 6 different vein's "balooned".i just didn't want anything placed in my heart that didn't belong there. we can help ourselve's tremendously by cutting out bad habit's,watching our diet,along with curbing the worry & stress,the main contributor to heart diseasemy two main arterie's,one in front& one in back were like,60 to 80% clogged over 12 year's ago,& i'm still going great

Answer 5

yes I have. and spent a very scary 2 days in hospital and all the time felt like someone was sitting on my chest. I don't wish it on anyone.

Answer 6

god bless you.
you are lucky to be alive!
think positive! life is good because focus on the good things in life!

Answer 7

http://www.healthynj.org/dis-con/mi/main.htm

http://www.e-nterests.com/healthhtml/myocardialinfarction.php

http://www.rxpgnews.com/cardiology.shtml