Heart Attack?

Question

My mother was complaining of chest pain, loss of energy and breathlessness for several months before she died. How can you tell the difference between allergy problems, ingestion and the general ageing process and a heart attack warning? She was being more and more inhalers for breathlessness, while I believe, congestive heart failure was not being investigated throughly enough. Any thoughts on this?

Answer 1

Obtain a copy of the official autopsy report from the coroner who declared the cause of death. You did not state other symptoms she was having the days prior to her death. Ailments such as pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, emphysema, and congestive heart failure are a few examples of possible causes for chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath. The only real way to get an educated answer is through the autopsy report.

Answer 2

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I see from your other question that she died suddenly of a heart attack.

I think the shock of a sudden death is very difficult to deal with. So many questions that have no answers, so much grief and anger, it's natural to want to blame someone for it.

Congestive heart failure may have been a problem, the usual signs are breathlessness on exertion, sometime also on lying flat, swelling in the legs usually, and general tiredness.

The usual treatment might include water tablets (diuretics) and sometimes some heart tablets or vasodilators.

She may well have been on those, but still not be controlled. If her heart failure was advanced, the only other option for treatment would be a heart transplant, and depending on where she lived, she may well not have qualified to be a donor - they have very strict criteria, like age, weight, circulatory problems, smoking etc.

The inhalers would have been no use for true congestive heart failure, but she may have had an asthmatic or bronchitic element to her lungs, in which case they would have helped alleviate that side of it.

You might want to check the meds she was prescribed or taking before she died. That would give you a clue as to what her doctor thought was the problem.

Have a chat with him - but he will still be protecting your mother's confidentiality, and may not be able to reveal much to you.

I hope you find peace and acceptance about your mother's death. It's not an easy thing to get over. My own mother died in the same way. I think that while a sudden death is hard on the family, it's a much better way to go for the person themselves, with no suffering, no loss of dignity, leaving the memory of how they really were fresh in our minds.

Remember the good times, hold them close, and over time, it will become easier to deal with.

Answer 3

sorry to hear about your mother.

heart attacks are classically characterised by severe CENTRAL chest pain or tightness - often said to feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest. the pain will be there constantly - nothing will ease it or make it worse so will not get worse when they take a deep breath. sometimes it will radiate to the neck and left arm or a funny feeling in left arm. person can be really sweaty and be vomiting or feeling sick. often they have a sence of impending doom!! difficulty in breathing can occur too. history is important too - can be brought on by stress or exercise or sometimes nothing at all - can wake person up form sleep. history of angina, smoking high colestoerol, obesity all increase the risks.



indigestion pain will normally ease with some gaviston or simular and is oftern a burning type pain and not always central to the chest. often a history of eating spicy food.

you can get some chest pains and a racing heart beat from too much salbutamol - which is a common drug used in inhalers for asthma.

but if in doubt any time again in the future - call 999 immediatly better safe than sorry in a heart attack. tell the call taker what is happening, follow their questions.

Answer 4

My father in law was the same and died a few years ago of (indigestion),so they thought ,it was his heart
when I had severe tightening at the top of my arms and neck I went straight to the doctor,I had had a heart attack and had to have 2 stents put in my main artery,never ignore any pain or tightening of the chest stomach or arms,get and have it seen to right away,they can rule out problems with your heart with a few simple tests,I am so sorry about your mother,but do go and have a check up ,cholesterol etc as it does seem to run in the family ,good luck,

Answer 5

I am sorry to hear that your mother died.
There are tests that can diagnose a heart attack:- ECG and troponin T levels usually.
There is nothing anyone can do for her now and no way to tell if she had a heart attack or other problems not diagnosed.

Maybe you should be thinking, 'what would she want me to be doing now?'
Maybe she would want you to remember her with love and try to live your own life happily and well.

Answer 6

I took a class on heart disease in women. Women are at higher risks for heart disease than men. They told us that if we experience any kind of chest pain, shortness of breath, etc. to get to the ER ASAP. It is better to be safe than to be sorry and have it checked out.

Answer 7

Get a complete heart work up by a doctor (heart specialist) that way the stress of not knowing will be relieved.....worked for me.....healthier than ever!

Answer 8

try to make her first feel better. then have a talk with her to make her clear on the pains she feels.a heart attack cant be suggest this symptoms. its becuse of some over thinking also try to make her to be frindly to have a nice time that will make her feel better.

Answer 9

am sorry about ur mom,pls ask the DOCTOR

Answer 10

she should have been eating vegetarian then she would not have had allergies or a heart attack. http://www.notmilk.com