problem on the bridge” (as a typical male, I was merely seeking some TLC), rather than commiserating, my wife started yelling so loudly at me that I had no choice but to call my family doctor, who of course, immediately sent me to get an emergency ECG and other tests, which luckily revealed that I had been correct in my self-diagnosis. That, however, the cardiologist told me in rather heated tones, was just pure, dumb luck, and shamefacedly, I have to concur with him.
.....So, here’s the point: if you ever suffer chest pain, especially if it’s behind the sternum, remember me and don’t do what I did. Instead, do the right thing: reach for an ASA if one is handy, and call 911 immediately. Do not call Aunt Hilda for her anti-reflux recipe, do not phone your wife or husband for advice (chances are anyway that you’re only going to get yelled at to get to the ER ASAP), do not call your doctor’s office where you are likely to be put on hold for several minutes while the receptionist attends to the clients in front of her. Rather, phone 911 right away because the life you save may be your own, since if you are indeed suffering a heart attack, the sooner you get to the ER, the more likely you are to receive those time-specific clot-busting medications and/or artery-opening procedures that have revolutionized the treatment of – and radically improved the prognosis after – a heart attack.
.....Unfortunately, however, far too many people are still delaying their trip to emergency following a heart attack. Why? At least two important reasons. First, studies have shown that like me, many people who suffer chest pain ignore their pain, hoping, like I did, that the pain will turn out to “be nothing”. It probably will, but why should you ever risk taking that chance?
.....Equally important, other studies have revealed that most people who suffer heart attacks do not get that classical symptom of “crushing” chest pain behind the sternum that has long been considered the hallmark of a heart attack. Rather, lots of people, particularly women, get milder chest pain, what they often describe (according to one cardiologist with a large female practice) as a discomfort or an ache. And unlike what most people think, the pain can radiate not only to the jaw and down the left arm, but also to the stomach, back, and |
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