Cardiac scare!

[661-Pete]

Well ... eventful day. I'll be brief.
Been getting these chest pains - well: chest, back, arms, neck - some time now; after a particularly sleepless night decided it was time to 'do something about it' this morning. Doctor took a rather bemused view on my having come by bike to the surgery, displaying these symptoms - although I insisted the cycling didn't make it any worse. Anyway he insisted: get an ambulance there and then, stretcher me out and off to A&E at the Princess Royal; had to leave the bike locked up outside the doctor's. After a lot of poking and prodding, several blood tests, at least four ECGs and an X-ray, three doctors all conferring decided it was all negatives: no indication of unstable angina and definitely no sign of a heart attack.

Yet.

So they discharged me this evening.

Ah well, another let-off. Got back to the doctor's surgery to retrieve my bike this evening. It was OK.

But a warning to others on this forum, especially of my age, even if you're a fit and regular cyclist. Don't ignore these symptoms.

 

[Noodley]

Glad to hear you are okay

But that is a reminder to us all I suppose. I still think I am invincible.

 

[fossyant]

Erm...glad you are OK.... us cyclist's throw up some funny ECG readings....

When I was 2 stone heavier, than I am now...I had a full BUPA checkup by the company I worked for..... (PS Long time cyclist....had about 8 years light cycling.....)

ECG reports...."Well if I didn't know better, these results would say you were about to have a heart attack......... "my husband shows these sort of results...... and he plays squash..."........you are OK......

Goodness knows what a fit cyclist's heart would show....I wasn't that fit when the tests were done........

PS fit as a whistle now..............and lots lighter.........

 

[rich p]

Glad to hear that you're ok Pete. Can't afford to lose any members of the southern softies section!
What is the cause of the pain?

An ambulance driver friend of mine wanted to try out some new equipment some years ago when I ran a lot and performed an ECG on me at work. He was a bit shocked at the result (something to do with ventricles and being fit) and said, it's probab;y nothing but go to your doctors. The doc did another ECG and said, it's probably nothing but I'm sening you up to the hospital. At the hospital they said, it's nothing!
Don't be too fit - the machines don't understand!

 

[Jane Smart]

Hi Pete,

Relieved to hear you got your bike bike ok and relieved to hear that you are ok too

Ok I maybe said that in the wrong order

 

[Bill Gates]

I've had 2 x heart attacks. The first one was towards the end of a game of squash. I knew there was something wrong when I could hardly get off my knees and had an overwhelming feeling of nausea. When the paramedics arrived I was amused (later) to be asked if I was sweating more than usual. Having played in a surrey league match for nearly an hour what did they expect.

On the other hand when they asked me if my I had any pains in arms I became aware that my left arm was excrutiating painful. I honestly hadn't noticed until then.

Second time round was at my daughters wedding after my "father of the bride" speech. At the time I stood up there was a tremendous rush through my body, which at the time I thought was adrenaline. It was probably cortisol. When I sat down I knew I was in trouble but sat through another hour or so of speeches before I raised the alarm. This time I was aware of the pain in my arm, which again was excruciating so knew it was another heart attack.

I've had chest pains from time to time and other aches and pains but for me the difference between those and the real thing is immense.

 

[661-Pete]

Thanks guys. I'm OK now - and so is the bike!

What is the cause of the pain?

They weren't sure, but thought it was something in the muscles. One of my blood tests (sorry I don't 'do' medic terminology) showed up something emanating from over-stretched muscle or something...

Relieved to hear you got your bike bike ok and relieved to hear that you are ok too
Ok I maybe said that in the wrong order

Perfectly correct order Jane . I know where my priorities are!

I've had 2 x heart attacks....I've had chest pains from time to time and other aches and pains but for me the difference between those and the real thing is immense.

Take care Bill and thanks for sharing.

I won't waste space describing the danger symptoms, since I'm sure everyone in the 'at risk' category (and quite a few who aren't) will have googled 'heart attack' by now! What is difficult to put across on the written page, of course, is at what level of severity the symptoms mean danger. Everyone has a different interpretation of how painful something is.