Signs Of A Heart Attack. The Story Continues

(My Heart Attack Story Part 2)

“Well you’ve got all the signs of a heart attack, but we’ll have to wait for the results of the blood tests before we know for certain.”

I had been in the emergency ward for a about 90 minutes.

The doctors and nurses calmly went about their business while I felt like I was an actor in ER. It couldn’t be me they were talking about. How could I have had a heart attack? I was 45 for goodness sake. I didn’t smoke. I wasn’t dramatically overweight. I had a lot of living to do. I didn’t want to die. I just had indigestions and arm pain, I couldnt have had a heart attack.

On the one hand I was really scared and on the other I kept thinking that they had made a mistake. They must just be taking precautions - If this was really a heart attack, then surely the nurses would be looking more concerned and panicking.

“We’re going to transfer you to The Coronary Care Unit and keep you in for a few days”

The oxygen and the morphine made everything seem very detached. I was drowsy but I wouldn’t let myself go to sleep.

It was around 4am when I was wheeled into the Coronary Care Unit. It was all very surreal. Why wouldn’t the nurses let me walk? I was only here for observation. This was getting ridiculous.

The Nurse in charge was a small, well-built, matronly Irish woman in her mid 30s. She made sure I was comfortable and settled, and she did what she could to put Pam’s mind at rest. Then to make the situation even more bizarre she asked if we would like some tea and toast? Pam couldn’t face any, but I certainly wasn’t going to refuse. It was the best piece of toast I have ever had in my life!

Over the next 24 hours I had to have a blood sample taken every 6 hours. By comparing the levels of a number of enzymes and proteins in each sample, it can be definitively established whether or not a heart attack has taken place. So during this time I continued to believe that the hospital had made a mistake and convince myself that I had not had a heart attack.

When the results of the lab tests were compared I eventually had to accept that I didn’t just have the signs of a heart attack- I actually had had a heart attack! How was this going to change my life? How would it limit what I was capable of? How long would I live?

The Nurse, who had looked after me on that first night, spent a lot of time over the next couple of days explaining to Pam & I about signs of a heart attack, what actually happened when you were having a heart attack, what would happen over the next few days and possible treatments including heart surgery, coronary artery bypass. I believe that her attitude, encouragement and care contributed immensely to my recovery.

After 3 days I was transferred from the Coronary Care Unit to a specialist Cardiac Ward where my progress continued to be monitored.

Each day I was allowed to do a little more. Each day I got a little stronger. Each day my Consultant seemed a bit happier.

Then six days after I had been admitted I was allowed to go home, with strict instructions that if I felt any sort of pain that I must call the emergency services immediately.

However I was soon to discover that just because you’re fit enough to leave hospital it doesn’t mean that you are ready to get back to normal physically or mentally!

It’s Your Heart. It’s Your Life.

It’s Your Choice.

Go To My Story Part 3 Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme
Go To My Story Part 1 My Heart Attack Story from Signs of a Heart Attack