Dispelling the Myths

A lot of women seem to have a lot of questions and very little understanding about chest pain and heart attacks. One of the benefits of me being not so private about this particular event in my life is that I have the opportunity to talk to others. In the past week I have 3 women inquire about my pain, mind you most of these ladies were 20-30 years my senior, but it felt rewarding to be able to explain my situation.
One woman was having some significant chest pain and she had received a verbal referral from her family practitioner to have an angiogram. I was only instructed to have an angio from a cardiologist after my blood troponin levels had hit reg flag numbers indicating some form of heart damage. So needless to say it is a more progressive suggestion from a family practitioner. It was nice to be able to comfort someone and discuss similar pains and help her find a good cardiologist.
I realize this is all boring to all uninvolved but it was nice to be there for someone who felt alone with her pain. That is exactly why I have written this blog, I wanted to be able to provide a story that mirrored similar feeling, worries and questions. I was looking for support and I couldn't find it. I hope that anyone in need of a little help will reach out.

MY PAIN
Just to keep people up to date. I am still waiting for approval to have more diagnostic tests performed to help provide me with more answers. I have been getting some chest pain on and off. It doesn't last very long, but it definitely reminds me that there is still some damage or a lingering issue. Most of my pain feels like a heavy paperweight is sitting on my chest, so some pressure but definitely not my heart attack pressure pain. I also get some stabbing and burning sensations that are painful.
While hiking yesterday I was able to make the clear distinction between an unfamiliar and unpleasant chest pain. I think the slower activity of hiking, mind you this was no slow walk but compared to spinning it was much slower, helped me to distinguish a unique feeling. I feel as if I hit a point where my heart was beating funny. It felt as if it would not slow down and made me a little light headed. I am still having trouble describing it or differentiating it, but it was unique. The doctor's at Cedars-Sinai had asked if I had pains while I ran and worked out, but sometimes it is too hard to decide that, but yesterday I think I finally felt it. Hopefully when I wear the holter monitor they will be able to pick this up!!