Today is the second anniversary of my heart attack. (Nstemi). From reading others’ posts, I’ve been quite lucky. I ended up with 5 relaxing days in hospital, during the pandemic, plugged into many wires, with lovely caring nurses, and an angiogram/ angioplasty which revealed two 80% blocked coronary arteries. I had no idea! They cleared one easily but the other one (the ‘widow-maker’) was so clogged with calcium that they couldn’t get through and eventually had to rotablate (drill). I’m fortunate that they had a connection with Harefield (hence my name) where a truly wonderful surgeon was a rotablation expert. I don’t know if this is what enabled me to avoid a bypass — they did offer— but now am maintained by a cocktail of meds , I imagine I’m ok now. Of course it could happen again; I had no symptoms apart from a faint the first time. Anyway, I just want to thank the NHS nurses, doctors and ancillary staff — cleaners, porters , cooks — and thanks to all of you for being here. ❤️
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Harefieldfan
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amazing to be celebrating an anniversary of a heart attack!
I also had an NSTEMI. Mine was over 5 years ago. I thought it was a mild chest infection but got it checked out and ultimately ended up in A&E. I nearly didn't bother at all. I had four days in hospital which was four days too many for me, since looking round I was 'normal'. But on day three I had an angiogram which confirmed I had moderate to severe blockages in all the major heart arteries, but they decided to not stent me. Anyway last year I had an angiogram which confirmed no change to my arteries, so life style and an increased Atorvastatin dose are working it seems. If my experience, and perhaps yours, is anything to go by, there must be many who have an NSTEMI heart attack with few symptoms and just brush it off as 'feeling a bit under the weather'. Happy Anniversary!
I'm almost up to my 5th anniversary so congratulations and good wishes for many more. Mine was only really severe indigestion for 3 days until my arm and neck started to tingle slightly which made me ring 999. 3 days in hospital and 2 stents later I was home and changing our diet massively. I wasn't overweight but still lost 2 stone. Still being very careful as I was told I still have two LAD blockages at around 65% which weren't quite bad enough to stent.
I nearly brushed my nstemi off as heartburn & would have just gone home if my hubby had not had 4 pints at a football match so couldn’t drive me!!! Went to hospital as a precaution & came out 17 days later after quad bypass- that is 4 years today! So congrats on your 2 year anniversary- keep them coming & celebrate every one!
Dear harefieldfan, lovely to hear your story and so pleased for you that it all worked out as it did.
I know how you feel. I had mine 26 sept 2020 on holiday in East Sussex. My thanks hope to the portsmouth Queen Alexandra hospital. 2 stents in widow maker abd 1 elsewhere.
It’s good to remember and send gratitude to the wonderful staff , as you wrote, who stuck us back together.
Happy Heartiversary 😊 - I’ve just (a week ago) had my first of hopefully many more 🤞 - NSTEMI on a cycling holiday in Mallorca (hadn’t actually left the bike hire shop! 😂) - no prior warning other than some dehydration palpitations from the flight over - had very mild symmetrical upper chest discomfort when paying for the hire (🤔) - but also felt a bit ‘odd’ - ended up with 2 stents (70-80% LAD blockages) and a shiny plastic coloured pill 💊 container! Keep well.
Happy second anniversary, and wishes for many, many more healthy years to come! I just had my first anniversary on March 24th—also a NSTEMI.
It is interesting what LowerField and you both said about symptoms. Mine were racing heart rate, very high BP, difficulty breathing, and a little nausea. All of that seemed to just suddenly come out of nowhere. The doctor at the hospital kept asking about my pain—where it was and level—but I kept telling him that I didn’t feel much pain.
It seems appropriate to remember the event, and to be grateful for all of the professional care that we received. I am also happy each day to still be here. 😊
it’s flawed but wonderful, though, and nobody ever asks you how you’re going to pay for the treatment before they stick the cannula in! And I’d better stop before I get blocked. Xx
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