Warning Signs

So, as most of you all know, Christmas Eve, I had a heart attack.  During the time before I went to the Emergency Room, I did some looking online for signs of a heart attack.  There was a few things that suggested I was having one, however, most of them leaned toward indigestion. 
I am going to share what my "pain" felt like with you, the emotional side of having a heart attack and, what you should do about it.

For a long time, probably six months to a year, my energy levels plummeted, losing more energy as the months passed.  I would tell my PCP and she just blew it off to the fact that my blood sugars were not "where they should be." 
I never once thought I could have a heart attack.  So I was totally blind sided when the Cardiologist said I was having a heart attack.  We had been awaiting the birth of our first grand baby, so we had put a lot of things off until after she was born, like Christmas shopping.  Once Lyla was here, James and I went into super overdrive to get it all done and in record time!  By Sunday, I was exhausted, still battling an ear/sinus infection and just wanted to get the holidays done and over with so I could sleep.  That night, as James and I were relaxing, I coughed pretty hard.  Which wasn't anything abnormal, I always cough...I smoke for crying out loud! :)   I took a drink of my Diet Dr. Pepper, and stuck a cough drop in my mouth.  Then, the 'pain' began.  It felt like I needed to burp.  Have you ever taken a drink of soda pop and experienced that "oh crap, I swallowed air and it hurts like crazy" feeling?  That is what it felt like.  So, I got up, told James I was heading to bed.  I laid down and the 'pain' was worse.  James begged me to let him take me to the ER, but, being the stubborn person I am, refused to go. 
The next morning, we went to my dad's for my family's Christmas.  I never left a crushing pain, my heart never beat harder, I just left like all my energy had been sucked out of me.  I have never left so tired in my life! 
James went to work, I came home, and began getting things ready for Christmas morning.  I tried to lie down, but the 'pain' just got worse.  So I called James and the rest is history.

I have learned that women and men are a bit different when it comes to heart attacks.  (Men and women are different when it comes to a LOT of things).  Women, normally, will not feel that crushing pain that most men will feel. Women may feel discomfort in the center of the chest, a pressure, like gas, burning, like acid reflux, pain in the upper back that does not go away, OR will go away and come back, kind of like you over did it.  Women will be SUPER tired and feeling sick to your stomach.  These are warning signs of an impending heart attack and the sooner you seek help, the better off you will be. 
I was afraid the ER doctor would tell me it was gas (how embarrassing would that be?).  When it comes to your health, NEVER be embarrassed to find out you just need to burp! It will save your life.

The emotional part of having a heart attack is probably the worse part.  You experience every emotion known to man and few they don't know!  I was laughing and carrying on until my doctor told me I was having a heart attack (I thought they were all NUTS!)  Once it sunk in that he was NOT joking, the fear that came over me was nothing I have ever experienced before.  Everything I had done, said, thought and felt hit me like a mac truck!  Everything I wanted to do, say and think hit me even harder.  Knowing that I only had four days to spend with my new grand baby was enough to bring Superman to his knees.  Knowing that there was a big possibility that I would never see James, or my children again, my family, and friends was enough to melt Jack Frost's heart!  Thankfully, I have a really smart and knowledgeable doctor.
Afterwards, once I got home, I fell into a bit of a depression asking, "Why me?"  "Why did this happen to ME!"  Then, I got mad!  And finally, I accepted what happened and began to change my life style.
I am now more aware of my body than I ever have been.  Your body will tell you when something isn't 'right'.  Listen to it.  And never let any doctor "blow off" your concerns.  Get a second, third or fourth opinion if you need to.

There are some things a person can do to avoid a heart attack.  Stop smoking! Lose weight! Get plenty of rest and exercise everyday!  Eat a heart health diet, limiting fats.  Reduce your stress! (This is a HUGE one for me).  Laugh, love and enjoy every moment you are given.  Get a check up, having your doctor test your cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar. 
We are only given ONE LIFE.  Treat it like you mean it!

Gershelda