Heart health warning to women & their families

[Margie J]

Today while waiting in line at the store I overheard a terrible story. A man, maybe in his 30's, was talking to a friend and mentioned that his Mom had just recently passed away. The friend asked "had she been sick?" The man answered something like "No, she just complained of some heartburn not much else. I later went to the house to pick her up and she had died." The man also said he has a 15 year old brother.

Please, women and men, "heartburn" could be a heart attack symptom. If you are of a certain age or have a family history of heart problems please learn the signs and don't delay treatment if you at all suspect a heart attack. Time can mean life or death.



This advice from heartinfo.org:

Irreversible injury to the heart muscle usually occurs if medical help is not received promptly. Unfortunately, it is common for people to dismiss heart attack symptoms.

The American Heart Association and other medical experts say the body likely will send one or more of these warning signals of a heart attack:

Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes.

Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms. The pain may be mild to intense. It may feel like pressure, tightness, burning, or heavy weight. It may be located in the chest, upper abdomen, neck, jaw, or inside the arms or shoulders.

Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

Anxiety, nervousness and/or cold, sweaty skin.

Paleness or pallor.

Increased or irregular heart rate.

Feeling of impending doom.

Not all of these signs occur in every attack. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast. IF YOU NOTICE ONE OR MORE OF THESE SIGNS IN YOURSELF OR OTHERS, DON'T WAIT. CALL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (9-1-1) RIGHT AWAY! In the event of cardiopulmonary arrest (no breathing or pulse), call 9-1-1 and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.

 

[binny]

Thank you! we cannot be too careful with our hearts!!

 

[Beauty]

I had a cousin who passed away with a bottle of Mylanta in his hand. Really sad.

 

[luvwinnie]

Thank you. My mom ignored breathlessness until her aortic valve was almost completely shut...actually she was saved at that time (1997) because I think her guardian angel pushed her! She fell and had a horrible bruise and my dad insisted she go to dr...he reminded her she hadn't had an echo in 2 years.

 

[liznboys]

Good advice, thanks.

 

[SandraM]

Thanks Margie, this is such important advice.

My mother had indigestion for a long time and took over the counter stuff for it. Even when she told her (ex) doctor about it he didn't do anything.

On the second day of a trip to Morocco with my Dad, she had 2 very bad heart attacks and was so lucky that when my Dad called reception they were able to contact a doctor who was in a hotel next door. Also an ambulance was close by and they got her to a really good hospital so quickly, where the doctors saved her life. She is still around, 7 years later, and living a healthy active lifestyle.

I often think those heartburn/indigestion remedies should be only sold in single dose packages, with a limit of only one pack per sale. Too many people take this stuff for too long, and it can mask a more serious underlying problem.
If someone is suffering heartburn for a long time, I firmly believe it should be investigated by competent medical professionals.