Women's symptoms of a heart attack

[Phyllis Jean]

From everything I have read, women have different symptoms than men do when it comes to having a heart attack. I would like to hear from any ladies out there (or gentlemen) who have had a heart attack and didn't realize what their symptoms meant.

The reason I am asking is that I have a blocked artery, (the left anterior descending). It is 70 percent blocked. When I had my aortic valve surgery, they didn't fix it at that time. They said that in the future I might have to have a stent implanted.

Can you go through life with a blocked artery? Are my concerns warranted or am I over-reacting?

I carry around Nitroglycerin tablets, just in case I have chest pain that won't go away. What other symptoms should I be looking for? I am losing sleep and am stressed out from worrying about this. I would appreciate any experiences or thoughts on this matter.

Thanks for your kind input.

Phyllis Jean

 

[hensylee]

you must have ESP. I was just into Dr Rich's weekly series and found this:

http://heartdisease.about.com/b/a/084115.htm?nl=1

it's about women and heart disease. lots of other information there, too. He even has a forum where he answers your questions personally, without any medical advice, of course. Just information.

 

[Yaps]

Well, with me.. it was right between my breast..ice cold , paralyzing my movements, jaw .ahhh my gosh..doc even thought I had a dental infection..lol.. but when I had all of these and couldnt breathe..I went to ER.
It is different ..my dads was the classic grabarm reflex... I even thought it was stomache problem.. wish it had been...

 

[M&M]

Hi Phyllis Jean, I can certainly empathize with your concerns. I know you asked for other woman's input. So, I thought well I can only tell you what having a heart attack felt like for ME. I had terrible pain just in the center of my chest. It felt like an ice pick was jabbed in me.. It didn't hurt all over just the center of my chest. I was also sweating up a storm - so I ran outside in the middle of winter - and then I cooled down - and then went back in the house and I got nautious. I could not believe it when my doc told me I was having a heart attack. I thought no way - heart attacks must be more painful than this.. Although I did have that feeling of 'doom' and knew I should get to the hospital - and thank goodness the EMT's thought so too. They called the hospital before they transported me as they had sent in my ekg and I guess I had an upside down 7 they said and to transport immediately. They didn't tell me why - but for a split second when they asked if I felt nautious and I said: YES, I thought mmmm I wonder - NO - can't be - I was actually down on one knee the pain was terrible. But I was down on 'both knees' having a baby as that was alot more painful. I had back labor for 40 hours and I said - no way in hell - I'm ever going through this again. I should have spit out 4 kids in that amount of time..

I also have a 70% blockage and from what I've read - that can be stented - but normally its a miniumum of 75% before they stent - I think - but if your symptomatic - you may be able to get it stented at 70%. But I would want to make sure I wasn't experiencing arterial spasms first. I only say that cause I do experience them from time to time and they are painful. Feels almost like I was having another heart attack. For ME. I would not agree to stenting 70% blockage - unless I was really sure its what's causing alot of angina.. Sometimes the healing process with the stent can cause restenosis and clog the artery again. So, I would never agree to stenting 70% - I think a minimum of 80 - 90% before I would agree to it.. But that's ME... I don't get chest pains very often so that's why I wouldn't go with a stent and I never take my nitro hardly ever - it gives me a wicked headache and then I end up having chest pain and a headache - so I figure unless its really bad - I'd be better off to go to the ER.. Of course, you should always call the EMT's first. You should never drive yourself to the hospital if your having chest pains.

If your losing sleep and stressed out over things - why not get some cardiac tests run and have it checked out. I take ambien at night to help me sleep.

You ask - can you go through life with a blocked artery? I have had this 70% blockage for 12 years.. I must also say in my situation I actually have a part of my heart which is dead - caused from my heart attack and so what's happened is I've developed little arteries all around the dead tissue. Its amazing how the heart has learned to compensate for the deadened area. Not totally of course - but still its getting some oxygen in that area - just not like before or the way it normally would if I had not had a heart attack. Unfortunately its probably the reason for my arrhythmia's - although I guess valves could cause arrhythmias as well..

You ask if anyone has any thoughts on this? I can certainly understand your concern as I said before. But, for ME - I try not to read into things that I learn and assume its going to happen to me. That's not easy. If I don't like a situation and I know its not 'normal' and it needs attention - I start asking for tests and generally after testing they find a reason for it and unfortunately for ME its meant surgery. So, I try not to ask for tests anymore - cause I always seem to fail them.. I have a CRT echo test next week !!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed I pass this one. I have an ICD for vt's and my cardio may be wanting to check to inplant a bi-vent next time instead of a regular dual chamber ICD - as my battery is getting low and it should probably be checked before he replaces my ICD.. I think he's concerned that my left ventricle is not beating in syn with my right ventricle -which a bi-vent would help it to do that..

If your concerned - you should be talking to your cardio and PCP. They can help alleviate your fears or they can make them worse and create more fears.. It depends on how YOU FEEL and the only thing that matters is what "YOU THINK".. Remember that - What is important is what you THINK.. and you are in charge. I find this 'thinking' to be helpful - and I don't get emotional. Its hard to not get emotional - but I try to think if this was my husband or my daughter - how would I react and how would I handle the situation. I try to take the emotions 'out' and stick to the facts.. and the test results when I go to the doctors..

Take Care
Marilyn (runner)

 

[savysmommy]

Ok, probably a silly question.. But, I am sitll very new to this and there is so much I dont know. Does having a valve problem, such as BAV increase your risk for a heart attack?

Shannon

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hello Phyllis Jean,

I have both Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Valve Disease. USUALLY, these are not directly related but can be in some cases, especially if you have had Radiation Treatments to your Chest.

The Left Anterior Descending Artery is one of the primary coronary arteries. I'm sure your cardiologist will want to follow it's progression closely. Typically, 70% is at the Low End of the range where they will consider doing angioplasty (70 to 90%). Over 90% blockage and they may consider Bypass Surgery depending on symptoms and the presence of other blockages. If the LEFT MAIN Artery develops blockage, they will most likely recommend Bypass Surgery at 70% because if this artery closes off, it's 'all over'.

At one time or another, I've experienced all of the classic symptoms including tightness in my chest, pain radiating down my arm(s), a stabbing pain between my shoulder blades, profuse sweating, etc.

'AL Capshaw' (Bypass and AVR survivor)

 

[hensylee]

anger and stress are two things you MUST avoid. They are a heart patient's worst enemy. They told me after bypass surgery - so try not to do it. Losing sleep and worrying are not helping.

Symptoms to look at: jaw ache, ear ache - swallowing ache - not severe, but unexplained. When I had mine, it was also in the middle of the chest, but radiated to shoulders and down both arms. Arms down to elbows felt very 'tired' and weighed a ton. I took 3 tablets under the tongue 5 minutes apart, then called my dr' office, they told me to go to hospital (where they missed it! and told me I was having a GERD attack). At the hospital, my left shoulder blade waS Hurting severely, but the doctor told me it was some other sort of pain - she has been sued several times for misdiagnoses. They sent me home, but I was very, very ill, my arms were like lead. I had already made a cardio appt and when they did the cath they confirmed that I had a heart attack.

Sadly, I wasn't knowledgeable enough back then to KNOW I was having a heart attack. Women often bear pain easier than our counterparts. Maybe that's why we miss the attacks so often. Listen to your body when you are still. We often don't do that enough.

 

[Yaps]

One explaination from a cardio nurse.. women who have under gone childbirth, natural childbirth, tend to have a higher pain threshold. So we tend to take an aspirin and keep going, it did make sense to me.

 

[catwoman]

A childhood friend had a heart attack in early March. Woke up not feeling well, sat up in the den, bad pain, husband came to check on her. They decided to wait until the doctor's office opened @ 9 a.m. Called, got an appt. for late in the afternoon.
When they got to the appt., the nurse took a look at Sheri and knew she was having a heart attack. The doctor's office bldg was connected to a hospital. She was admitted ASAP. This was Wednesday or Thursday. She had a heart cath Friday, I think, and a triple bypass Monday or Tuesday.

About 15 years ago, she & her husband bought the house next to my parents' home in Dallas, so occasionally I visit with Sheri. When my parents told me Sheri had had a heart attack, triple bypass and was recuperating at home, I visited her.

One of the things she said: I'd like to change a lot of things I did wrong years ago. I knew what one of them was.
She was an extremely heavy smoker, even in high school. She stopped cold turkey when she had the heart attack.

She said her valves were OK, at least.

 

[KimC]

Yaps,

I couldn't agree with you more. I basically had natural childbirth my second time around because labor progressed so quickly. The pain was excruciating. I screamed. I used to roll my eyes at the women who screamed during labor. Now I know better.

Phyllis,

Everone's different. Thankfully, I haven't had a heart attack. When I experience angina, I feel both fatigue and chest discomfort, radiating either down my left arm or up my neck into my jaw (and sometimes ear). I rarely feel the WHAM kind of pressure in the middle of my chest, and thank goodness, it never lasts!

I have aortic sclerosis and a type of coronary artery disease called endothelial dysfunction where the walls of the arteries (lined w/ endothelial cells) don't release nitric oxide normally. This results in constriction or stasis, clinicially termed "coronary flow deficit." I'm at risk for heart attack and stroke, but less-so than someone who smokes, etc.

I also carry nitro, take an ACE-inhibitor, diuretic and statin. The goal is to manage BP, edema and stress, plus exercise and eat a heart-healthy diet. I've closely followed Nancy's advice on managing my condition and so far, it's working. I have fewer episodes of angina, SOB, etc. I strongly recommend that you follow a diet recommended by your cardio.

I also deal with the anxiety that accompanies our condition. It tends to flare up after a cardio appointment when I'm "forced" out of denial. Praying, keeping a journal, sharing my thoughts and feelings here, plus laughing help me. I never worried about my health in the past but unfortunately, now I do. I recognize that my feelings are normal and try to laugh at myself when I overreact. (It's a balance I don't always keep).

The bottom line is that you know your body -- you'll recognize when something's REALLY wrong. Trust thyself.

My PCP said, "Having heart disease shouldn't change anything." While it certainly radically changed my life and priorities, what he means is that it should NOT make us cardiac cripples in spirit.

Best,

 

[Marguerite53]

adding more questions than answers...

adding more questions than answers...

Hello Phyllis Jean. I suspect that your concerns absolutely warrant a phone call or trip to the cardio. Please don't put it off, wondering. Just call.

My father ended up with a triple bypass and he drove himself to the doctor as he was having a heart attack and was loudly scolded!! His symptoms echo Ann's. My cousin is a tech and he performed my dad's angiogram. He brought me the video and made me look at it (10 years ago). Said he'd never seen such a beautiful heart, that, similar to what Marilyn (runner) said, it had compensated for so much damage by sprouting new avenues to process the work it had to do. Is there ever any discussion about what your heart is doing to compensate for the blockage? Maybe the activity of the heart correcting itself causes symptoms that could be explained better to you.

I have no personal experiences yet, have never been cathed. Funny that I coincidentally freaked my husband out completely last night by complaining of chest pains and dizziness and then getting up and wincing loudly as a (presumed) gas pain seized me (of course in the left chest area!!) (darn that yummy 5 bean soup!). Better this morning (with lots of low tummy grumbling) but may call dr. Tightness in throat feeling too. Still not perfectly recovered from that nasty virus, and ears feel plugged and chest still so tight, so lots of other things to blame these sensations on. AND, for me, the exagerration of every questionable symptom seems to happen alot just before my period. I'm winding down, at 51. I'm not as regular (only ever missed 3 periods in my life and they each have names!!) and the pms stuff is much more pronounced and long lasting. I mention this only as conversational, wondering whether any other women have experienced new sensations mimicing heart problems during this menopausal time.

Good luck and please get back to us on what you've decided and discovered.

Marguerite

 

[Phyllis Jean]

Thanks For All Of Your Responses

Thanks For All Of Your Responses

Thanks so much to all of you that responded to my questions. I appreciate your kindness very much. I will be seeing my cardiologist in a few months. I'm not sure how they determine if the Left Descending Artery (LAD) has more blockage. (It is currently blocked 70%) I don't know if an Echocardiogram will show futhet blockage, or if another Heart Catherization will be ordered. Does anybody know the accurate way of determining this?