Last March while on holiday in Spain I had a heart attack. I foolishly didn't seek help as I was convinced it was stomach related. It wasn't until my return when I was admitted to hospital that I was told what had happened and had 2 stents. I have a remaining 50% blockage in LAD and 100% blockage in LCX managed by medication as Cardiologist thinks risks of further treatment outweigh benefits. I go to gym 3 times a wk and walk a lot but tire easily at times. Thats my quick background. Earlier this week me and partner came to Spain for 3 weeks in apartment. My partner has been under lots of pressure last couple of years sorting out 24 HR CHC funding for his Father who is sadly tetraplegic following a freak accident when he fell while gardening. Partner not been looking well for months grey looking some days constant indigestion but refused to see GP who he feels is ineffective. Was convinced it was stress related and promised to address symptoms after holiday. I think you know where this is going. He awoke yesterday with chest pain used my GTN and pain subsided. He is retired Nurse Tutor finally agreed to visit A&E here in Benalmedana. Was seen within minutes abnormal ECG and elevated troponin transferred to hospital in Malaga. He was stented within hrs for blockage in RCA. He seems much better better colour no pain but very tired. I am just back from bring out of house since 11 shopping journey to hospital long walk uphill to station and 2 trains. In one way I obviously feel relieved and so does he but emotional. I am normally the strong cool guy but I have arrived back and feel wrecked. Medical care brilliant but navigating finding hospital yesterday dealing with jobsworth admin reception staff with my poor Spanish took its tole. Think I just need to eat and rest but words of wisdom would be appreciated. They are keeping him in till he has an echo hopefully monday. Amazing care has seen Cardiologist 4 times sure he has rectified the problem and this is the Public Hosp although we had insurance I think State hosp better for these big issues. Thanks in advance if you have made it through my ramble
Feeling a bit shell shocked & raw - British Heart Fou...
Feeling a bit shell shocked & raw
Very sorry to hear what's happened, it must be even more stressful when you're in another country but its reassuring to hear your partner is getting good treatment. Hope all goes well and you'll soon be going home.
Oh Nathan, of course you’re shocked but you know from your own experience your partner is in good hands, he’s safe and will make a good recovery. In some ways it’s worse being the partner than the patient and you must rest and recharge and allow yourself to be upset, it’s very exhausting being strong all the time. We are all good at making excuses and ignoring symptoms so let that side of it go, tomorrow is another day try and rest and I’m sure you’ll both feel better over the next few days.
Thanks for that Susie - it's useful to read your perspective in particular the 'allowing yourself to be upset' and not over analysing the excuses. It was his Father's birthday today, he was not going to tell them for a few days but as he couldn't make the call himself as he normally would - to say happy birthday - I rang them think it really got me after I hung up being reassuring and positive. We are here till middle of March so being positive if all works out as it seems to be we will have some chill time in the sun. Very very caring staff in hospital. Lovely Spanish visitor to patient in next bed bought him large bottle of water as he had run out and I was a bit late getting in today. It's the little gestures in life that are sometimes as important as the big ones. Thanks again
First of all I am sorry you are going through this. It's so good your partner has had the necessary treatment and he is in the best place. Don;t beat yourself up about not being pushier earlier. What you need to do now: Eat, sleep, keep fluids up (and I don;t mean alcohol - attempt at levity there). Then sit down with pen and paper and list what you think need to do in the next 24 hours and long term. When you are used to having a partner to discuss serious events in life with, it is hard to take on the role of making the decisions sort of solo when it affects you both. At the moment the hospital will dictate what happens in the next few days and what you need to do next will depend on their advice and your personal circumstances and on you and your partner's preferences. Hence the need to get an overview written down. I actually know how isolated and fearful you must be at the moment - this happened to me in the US when my husband was ill (not heart though). In the first 24 hours I couldn't sleep for running all possible scenarios through my mind and feeling I would never cope - I felt paralysed by the situation. People are very kind and will go out of their way to help. You can do this: just let time erode the fear and then you can get organised and work out a way through. With my very best wishes for a peaceful night;s sleep.
Thank you so very much for such an insightful reply. Last night I got home about 10.30 as I visited in the evening. I shifted papers around tidied did trivial things because I couldn't settle. I grabbed snack food which is something I rarely do. Although it was last thing I wanted to do I cooked simple but healthy meal listened to classic FM and feel more 'normal'. Not even a glass of vino as I rarely drink now doesn't agree with me. Think I wore myself out trying to remember what to take into hosp as he went in with nothing so the list strategy is a great idea as is looking at the bigger picture (don't sweat the small stuff). Your confidence in me being able to do this really motivates me so thanks for both such a caring and practical response.
Hi Nathan. So sorry to hear about your partner. What a shock for you both. Take a step back and as Calliope has said write everything down you need to do. Then prioritise each activity. Firstly you need to recuperate as well so be kind to yourself and just go with your emotions, it’s important to release your stress as well. Try and rest and get a good sleep. You you had been out all day. Maybe tomorrow get taxis to the hospital or at least for part of the journey it will help eliminate some of the stress for you? Also write down all the questions that you and your partner want to ask the cardiologist especially about returning home and if you need a follow up appointment before returning. It maybe helpful to phone his GP surgery or email them to let them know what has happened and to pre book an appointment so he can get off the plane and get to see someone almost immediately. However in the meantime you look after yourself and try to relax (I know it’s easier said than done). Sending big hugs and lots of positive thoughts to you and your partner. Zena x
Thanks Zena - your posts were some of the first I read when I joined this forum and I always admired the integrity and feeling in your replies. Your response to me is no different and is warmly welcomed. You also mention some things I never thought of like the contact with GP. I have started making list and have prioritised questions for cardiologist as discharges often happen quickly. Think I will get taxi to station tomorrow - did 15000 steps today and some uphill with back pack on underestimated the effort was more demanding than gym session. Thanks x
Nathan
I am so sorry to read of your experience such a worrying time for both of you.
I don't think I can add to Zena's wise words of wisdom which I also know we can always relay upon.
My partner also has heart problems. I am very conscious of how my heart condition effects him too.
Between us we support and care for each other. Sometimes it is him taking the load at other times I help him.
They tell you on every flight to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you help others. It is okay to start with caring yourself so you can care for others.
I hope you both have a smooth and untroubled journey home and I send my best wishes to you both.
The Spanish health system is one of the very best in the world and your dearly beloved will be well looked after, possibly better than in the UK. Are there any expat support groups in your area that might be able to help you out a bit?
I know from experience that both Carlos Haya and the university hospitals in Malaga have translators that get a list of admissions every day . They will come and see you r partner for sure in the first couple of days. I speak Spanish so didn't need them but they still came to the bedside to check . The health care in the málaga hospitals is very very good. As others have said , get yourself sorted out first so you can do your best for your partner. Best of luck to you both
Hello Plumbtorre thank you for your reply. The hospital is Clinico Virgen dear Victoria. We can speak some Spanish but with medical matters it is easy to get confused. Today he saw a different Cardiologist who spoke good English and went over everything again so that was good. All going well at moment. There are lots of very bad Google reviews of this hospital but our experience has been amazing. Nothing is perfect and I would say reception staff can be a nightmare but that is also governed by how you approach things.
Hi Nathan, have you got friends out there? I used to live in torremolinos and if anyone got sick everyone rallied round. If you get a chance maybe get down to the nogalera area ! British bar used to be brill, run by a couple of lovely guys and frequented by many ex pats who live there and can help with life in general in Spain. It’s just a thought. Look after yourself or you’ll be no use to your partner.
Thanks Adaboo we are not familiar with this area of Spain so don't know anyone here. I am meeting up with a friend who is on holiday in Marbella in the next couple of days but appreciate your idea and will remember that.
I can't add anything to the advice given by others already, but just to say thinking of you both and sending positive thoughts. Pretty astonishing coincidence that you were both taken ill in Spain.
Thank you, we had a wry laugh about the coincidence today but yes it's very strange to have a virtually identicle pattern. I do wonder if once you are away you suddenly relax and things happen. I know that doesn't make sense and it was going to happen sometime but just a thought.
I’m sorry to read about yours and now your partners problems... looking back at yours though... you say you still have a 50% blockage of LAD and 100% lcx ... were you given reassurance regarding your LAD blockage and whether there was collateral veins around your 100% one? Did they say that the partially blocked one is ok to leave is not dangerous etc etc?
Hi Buffy - I had my emergency PCI done at Freeman Hosp Newcastle. On discharge I was told I would be called back for further PCI to try and unblock the 100% blockage rotablast procedure was mentioned. I then received an appointment at Sunderland General my local hospital. I was impressed with the Cardiologist - he didn't have my records from Freeman but I showed him my discharge letter which documented the future plan for more PCI's. He told me he wanted to do another angiogram to check things himself and that he didn't envisage a problem in unblocking the 100% LCX. While I was on the waiting list I received a date to return to Freeman for PCI basically both hospitals had been following me up - you will have seen this sort of thing in your time I get. I decided to stay with Freeman which has prestigious cardiology dept. I phone S'Land and explained. The day before my procedure a Registrar from Freeman called me and said the Cardiologist (who wasn't the guy who did my PCI - it was his Senior Registrar) had reviewed the video of procedure and told me he felt my condition would be best managed with medication. It did unsettle me but on a later outpatient appt with the lead Cardiologist I asked him to go over it all in detail
He told me I had developed collateral arteries and that my plaque was mainly cholesterol. He said that although 100% arteries could be unblocked in my case there was a danger the artery could burst during procedure as it was in a very part of the artery. Having lost over a stone in weight and 4 X weekly gym sessions he felt I had improved my health to the point where I was stable. The only thing I am not happy with is his comment to discharge me but to arrange further referral via GP if I develop shortness of breath of chest pain. It seems reactive process rather than Pro active. Think I will have private consult for total review when this bloody Corona crisis calms
In my own research I do get the feeling that stents are not the only solution and that situations where stents would have been automatically carried out in the past are more likely to be treated with medication. Now thats a generalised statement and very much depends on an individual's situation. I feel well apart from some arythmias which is one of my reasons for private consult. Sorry for this long narrative. Partners doing good as well so take encouragement from that.
Hi Nathan53
That is what the result of the Ishaemia trial published late last year in the US is suggesting too.
medscape.com/viewarticle/92...
acc.org/latest-in-cardiolog...
Hi Milkfairy - thank you for those links. I recall having seen the acc.org article but couldn't bring it to mind and as always you back up your comments with the science which is 100% invaluable. I hope you are doing alright at the moment beautiful sunny morning here in the N East.
Tks got your reply.... very informative ... so are they treating your LAD blockage with medication ? I’m worried how I’m going to feel if they decide to treat with medication rather than stent knowing I have a blockage of probably around 65% in my right artery .... will I not feel like I’m a ticking time bomb? Do they do follow up tests to check how it’s doing like a nuclear perfusion scan or something? Just feels like really weird knowing you have a blockage that you can’t monitor physically
Hi Buffy have you seen Milkfairy's comments and link? the attached article wsj.com/articles/study-find... also summarises recent study findings.
My medication has been reduced / changed since original prescription. I now take Nebivolol 2.5 mg, aspirin 75mg, atorvastatin 40mg (I sometimes increase to 80mg) but find this can cause stomach problems Cardiologist is fine with me being flexible with dose and my cholesterol levels are good and Losartan 12.5mg.
I monitor my BP and data periodically (2 - 3 X week) and have an emay portable ECG which I sometimes use if I feel any arythmias (they have identified PVC's) which I can monitor and show to Cardiologist if they persist. I would stress that this machine is not to be relied on like a 12 lead ECG.
Like you say it feels weired not being monitored. Weather you have stents or not try pushing for some follow up appointments however you will be quickly discharged if you are stable with no ongoing events. I also have a mild leak on aortic valve and Cardiologist told me to approach GP in 3 or 4 years to 'try' and arrange another echo scan. It was the 'try' that concerned me. My advice would be to get this week over if you need stents in my experience you will recover well. Then look at bring vigilant in the future for new symptoms and get seen then. I don't have private health cover but am fortunate to put money aside to cover some consultation if needed. The way look on it I spend a few hundred pounds each year maintaining a car so I will maintain health as best as I can. Cardiologist also told me all meds in world are only as effectives as a healthy lifestyle with exercise no smoking good BMI etc. Hope this helps a little
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