This woman describes her heart attack and all you can do is correct her grammar!?! Heres how medical emergencies like that are. He was absolutely right. I have no career, no family that depends on me, nothing. Ask for an EKG. Show more. The name for this is "off-pump" or "beating heart bypass" grafting. It took 6 months for all the grafts to fail, and they had to go back to the native arteries. Privacy Policy. Completely unbelievable. I need to change my lifestyle and eating habits but life is good. I had a 75% blockage at the top of my LAD and got a stent.I hear they call this the Widow Maker.. not today Mr Reaper!!!!!! so i left work and felt better when I got home. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. However, people who survive their first heart attack have a higher risk of having a second heart attack or a stroke compared with people who have never had a heart attack. I had no energy at all. The classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing pressure in your chest and pain in your shoulder or arm, sometimes with shortness of breath and sweating. I am doing better with my diet per the new guide lines given to me. I woke up a day later, in the ICU on a vent and on a heart pump. I think this was brought on by job related stress ( Illinois governor refusing to sign a state budget for a year), smoking half a pack a day for 35 years and eating too much sodium. I wont be missing any of my follow-up doctor appointments. Toni Braxton Reveals Her Lupus Almost Caused A Heart Attack - Today They said if Id waited another 10-15 minutes, I would be here. Empathy and hope is all we are looking for and the app is just another tool to get connected with those who care. I have even been told by a dentist that he cant repair my teeth due to my heart and also diabetes! Each year, about 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack, which happens when a portion of the heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. I never experienced the depression, but more questioning why I lived when so many others die. My EKGs never showed a problem! No, an electrocardiogram cannot detect blocked arteries. Now My husband wanted me to go with hima nd get Calcium score recommended by his employer as part of an incentive for insurance reduction. His Cardiologist had never seen in his entire career anyone present with both at the same time. I could remember nothing but walking into the ER, I spent a week in the ICU and a couple of days on the floor. A long-term Korean study found stents as safe as open heart surgery in treating blockages of a coronary artery known as the widowmaker, showing that stented patients did not run a significantly higher risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Heart went into V tach. Thanks to their extensive in-house capabilities, their products are able to be fully designed, engineered, and manufactured in-house at their Lancaster, NY facility. Im still scared that i may not be so lucky next time. If . Either way, I am doubling down my efforts to stick to a Vegan diet which I have been on since the angina started four months ago. . We are all so lucky my friends. In other cases, we might suggest coronary artery bypass surgery or taking a more aggressive treatment with medication alone. He was the definition of healthy. Read them carefully. He has now started living a heart-healthy lifestyle. NEXT DAY I FELT BETTER. HEART ISSUES Posting this hoping it helps at least one person. Your chance of having a heart attack is moderate to high. My Cardiologist, noting that several family members died of the widowmaker type attacks, convinced me to stop smoking and drinking booze. He sent me your website to try and help me to understand what occurred with my husband. When women have these heart attacks, they're more likely to have unusual symptoms like: Because any type of heart attack is serious, go to an emergency room or call 911 right away if you have symptoms. A lot of people get motivated to change what theyre doing in their life after a heart attack or severe blockage. Now 12/26/15 I had my 3rd heart attack. How about just be thankful your heart attack was not so severe that it could not be treated by an incredibly well educated and talented physician and leave it at that. This happened april 4 2016,i had no clue thought it was indegestion. A small amount of plaque is present. And act in your own best interest. Stent placement should be performed at hospitals where emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is accessible. What's the difference between a major, minor, and silent heart attack? I tried everything to get it to stop. Multiple pages reviewed. I woke my wife who had just had surgery so was a little out it, I told her I need to go to the hospital, she said I should just take a nap and deal with it in the morning. I dont remember a thing. Went to Dr. and he called to make a appointment for a stress test with cardiologist who was on first floor of offices. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Get a copy of your records. He died October 31 at at age of 43. I am learning my limits. Was home the next day and went back 3 weeks later to do my right side with another stent. His was at the gym at the time working out with his daughter. A widowmaker can permanently damage your heart and leave scar tissue behind. I have an amazing doctor that took care of me and saved my life. A widowmaker heart attack is a type of heart attack thats caused by a 100 percent blockage of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. We dont have results back from autopsy but I believe it was the widow maker. Fairly sure shes going to be ok, but after reading all this, Im wondering is there any way to test your heart? She took it again and got the same reading. We miss him. It turns out that he had heart disease (70% in one of his arteries). You are getting another chance in life. I was in hospital for only two days. I met a friend at a local university and while briskly walking around the track I had some trouble regulating my breathing. then since I was out of town.looked on line to see what hospitals my insurance was good for I still debated for another 3 hours and after I was winded again walking out of the post office I took myself to emergency room. I have cut out processed lunch meat I do watch my sodium intake etc.and take my meds..but just wonder how important diet really is now..if I just keep all in moderation. A widowmaker heart attack is immediately life-threatening. However, women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) can have this type of heart attack, too. I just had a widow maker heart attack two weeks ago. I had open heart surgery 2 years ago,buy the have stopped up.the dr said they are 100%blocked is ther see anything that can be done.I have chest pain all the time please h3lp. I did take an aspirin. To help further explain the widowmaker, I created this video. The company focuses on providing engineering [], The medical device industry, in recent years, has increasingly faced environmental, social and governance challenges. 95% blocked. Met others out walking daily as part of rehab, similarly afflicted. You dont survive a widow maker. No one can predict that really, but what we do know is that there is a proven benefit from lifestyle interventions and a proven reduction from a bad lifestyle. So no we have a spelling teacher with no life scanning for errors. This would include diet, exercise, med & signs / symptoms just like if was regular vessel that became clogged. On the left side, which is the main side, we have the left anterior descending (LAD) that runs down the front of the heart and supplies the front and main wall, and then the left circumflex that supplies the side wall. Im so thankful for this article to help me understand this more. My EF right after my attack went to 25%. Is this chest pain from GERD or a heart attack? I would always go in and take a hydrocodone (from my shoulder surgery) and eat a couple of Tums. A moderate amount of plaque is present. My lad was 100 percent blocked and one in the back of my heart was 80 blocked. My dad had MI in 40ties. I took care of that issue and I am now starting June 2016, next month. Can the LAD artery be stented? There were times that were really bad, physically and mentally, and it took a long stay in a Transitional Care Unit and daily physical rehab before I could finally go home with my brother, as I cannot live alone now. Even after the cardiologist explained to me, I still didnt understand. ?I am grateful to be alive and I am thankful for the doctors. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Check out our latest newsletter. If you cant be nice, then please be gone. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. just dont understand how he was under doctors care and this happened. As a physician, I often will set a plan with my patients. No I was having a Heart Attack ! Too many rehab places of old folks and no one to help the young. The following morning surgery was performed and I went home in three days Blessed to be alive, I will say that I do not really believe I felt absolutely healthy until about 6 months later A quick pull on a little string to pull it out of the urethra, or by using a flexible scop First, a urethral stent (urolume) is in the urethra and usually placed in men with enlarged prostates and urinary obstruction who cannot have surgery. Ptca w stenting has come a long way in recent years with better equipment and easier to place devices (smaller caliber stents). Trying to eat more vegetables, fruits, fish. Uncontrolled diabetes and unable to exercise. You nailed it with your recommendations. I am an RN & so many times find Doctors talking way over the patient, & their families heads. Father died at age 65yrs my aunts and identical twin died at age 56yrs. God puts us on this earth for a purpose and when that purpose has been fulfilled in His eyes, he may take us regardless of how incredible science is with regards to the Docs. under control. And later he, couldnt get the needed knee replacements because of his heart condition. The faster you get help, the more heart muscle a provider may be able to save. He had bypass surgery at age 52 in 1977. They worked on him at hospital. I had a nuclear stress test. I am home now and feeling pretty good. When I stopped for a rest, I took my pulse (124) and I thought I would continue after a 10 minute recovery. This issue has really bothered me since his death and receiving the information in the autopsy since we never knew anything about it. This is the most common symptom for women and men. I just found out this weekend that the lad is the widow maker. When something cuts off the flow, you have a heart attack. I experienced the depression too but it has gotten better. I am very thankful for knowledgeable doctors and er staff, nurses, etc. I have an extreme cardio vascular family history. It has only been 5 months and at times I feel a twinge or think I can feel alittle discomfort where my stent is at at the LAD. We went to the ER and upon a series of test was informed that I was having a heart attack. Im not a particular religious man, nor do I attend church, but it is not my place to mock others that do. Knew I was in trouble. Worked out ate right everything. My brother was only 58 years old and died suddenly in his sleep from this tragic heart attack. Your risk for coronary artery disease and a widowmaker increases if you: Two surgeries can treat a widowmaker: coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or angioplasty plus stenting. I must add it is survivable. Surgical procedures that can treat and prevent heart attacks include: The authors of one 2018 study found that widowmaker heart attacks led to the highest increased risk of death, heart failure, and stroke in comparison with other types of heart attack. Also had a 100 percent blockage in my Mid RCA. Excellent stuff, just excellent! Those at risk for a heart attack include people with: What are symptoms of a heart attack? There was an AED device right there that they used. My husband jumped up, called the front desk of the Hyatt and they called 911. I will thank you but whats to say its not greatly increased from 20-30 in 4 turbulent years if no one will check for a recent prognosis. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. What do elevated cardiac enzyme levels mean? I listened to my body. I feel good now and regardless of what Keyser says..I thank the Lord for his mercy and grace. God Bless You All. I went into the cath lab pretty quickly in the hospital and had one or more stents place in my LAD. Look forward to your messages. If you look carefully at the first picture at the top of this article, you will notice there is an artery on the left side called the Left Main Artery. I told them stubbornly that after i sit for a minute i will be ok its just heat stroke. When the balloon is inflated, it flattens the cholesterol-filled plaque that has been restricting blood flow through the artery. I waited 10 minutes, think I was having an anxiety attack. Uses include in large-volume, high-flow [], ATL Technology announced that it acquired manufacturing operations of Gyrus Medical from Olympus Surgical Technologies Europe. (2017). You are all lucky to survive the heart attack, he did 4 years earlier. . With all the blood thinners in my system the surgery was touch and go. 1 degree either way and I would not have lived to tell my story. What next? If you have heart issues DO NOT mess around. I did pray that he would live. I had a Widow Maker on Jan 23, 2015. He figured that he probably just slept on it wrong. Sitemap. I knew it was a heart attack, tried to throw up three times, sweating and could not lift my arms and my lower body was starting to have convulsions. I am curious to know if the stented area of the LAD can be bypassed and the stents removed? STAYED IN THE HOSPITAL UNTIL THAT MONDAY WHEN THEY INDUCE THE HEART WITH DYE AND I HAD MY 2 ATTACK I ALSO HAVE RSD. He stopped and said this isnt where we are at. Five days later I was back in the ER diagnosed with TIA (mini strokes). Both procedures restore blood flow to the front of your heart. If youre diagnosed with significant heart artery blockages or a heart attack, the blockage is opened to restore blood flow. Dr. says come on in and lets do a treadmill stress test. My cardiologist doesnt seem concerned when I tell him about the pain but I am scared. It makes no sense because he had no warning no symptoms of anything. On Monday, you encounter a pile of rubble. Is any blockage of the LAD considered a Widow Maker? During the summer, he sat down a couple times looking pale and attributed it to louisiana heat. And ask your doctor if you need medicine to control high blood pressure and high cholesterol. THAT is what I will use as a goal to get me through rehab, recovery, the hard times mentally, and the times my meds make me feel terrible Please keep striving if you are dealing with this disease, you can live well again. It explains it the most Ive ever seen. I have 35 stents, and 2 failed CABG grafts. Hes a code red in the ambulance. I told them it was better and sent them away. Jack. It is only today, Tuesday, that I am finding out just what kind of heart attack I had and how close I came to death. Which artery is the widow maker? Just when I thought it couldnt get worse, January 16, the deep cramp and pain in my left shoulder and arm began to be duplicated in my buttocks and legs. She is doing really well. I have been fighting this heart issue for 16 yrs. I had 100% blockage in the lad and immediately had a stint put in. Some of these tests included examination of his heart. Even after the PCI has opened up the artery, the heart is at risk of electrical complications for the first few days afterward. Are older than age 45 for men and people AMAB. This is similar to phentermine and how phentermine works, https://www.google.com/amp/www.climbing.com/.amp/news/luckiest-man-alive-and-the-widow-maker/, HDL Conundrum with Dr John J.P. Kastelein. Hi Im a 57 year old mail I had two heart attacks and heart failure within 1 hour July 2014 two blood vessels r dead and Im on 8 medicines but Im still weak Franklin Im still scared my father and grandfather die because their heartfelt exploded Im still trying to figure out why thank you 4 listening 2 me I hope to hear back thank you, Sir it is possible doctor did angioplasty they didnt do blood test echo anything only they see 2 before report and done angioplasty Im shock it is possible I lost my mother..pls sir give me response, Sir it is possible doctor did angioplasty they didnt do blood test echo anything only they see 2 month before report and done angioplasty Im shock it is possible I lost my mother..pls sir give me response. We live an hour from the nearest heart hospital. You obviously dont believe in God and his plan for all of us. I have two boys and they are the world to me. Though more limited than previous days, I still have quality of life. This usually happened in the evening while out feeding, in the heat and humidity. i blew it off. To learn more, please visit our. Family history was the key. I went to ER last week and was kept overnight, the Cardiologist who attended mt did a CT without contrast but wanted me to come back and have a contrasting scan under supervision( I am allergic to Iodine) after he has spoken to my regular Cardiologist . Thank God for 911 helping people performing CPR. how your body recovers in the months and years following the heart attack. On May 23, at 10 pm I checked my blood sugar. Stage at9:40 seconds with heart rate at 141. To understand this better, make sure you also readDid That Stent Save My Life?andShould I Take An Aspirin Every Day?. The hot Arkansas summer has been really hard on me causing my HR to go up to 158 when outside. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. It is reassuring however that you have had an opinion from a specialist and that your symptoms are relatively reassuring. He was an active, relatively fit man, of 41. At the emergency room, people may receive one or more of the following treatments: A doctor can treat a total LAD artery blockage with a procedure called a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). I also have pneumonia and cant be with him as he is four hrs away. My husband was a stay-at-home Dad. Those that live through it are truly blessed. If picked up on an MRI by a neurologist i doubt they are talking about the heart artery, maybe one of the head and neck vessels. I also had the widowmaker. I wasnt aware of the location until my G.P. Gotta do something because I would like to live a lot longer. Having never heard of this term before, I decided to look this up. If its blocked, the heart can stop very fast which is why this type of heart attack is called a widowmaker.. My LAD was blocked. So, I napped all day. . My husband had a heart attack on Saturday. As the largest coronary artery, the left anterior descending artery supplies a lot of blood to the left side of your heart. The more quickly a widowmaker is addressed and treated, the higher your chance of recovery. Our doctors define difficult medical language in easy-to-understand explanations of over 19,000 medical terms. I am a renal dietitian. I tried to get up only to fall down again. THEY PUT A CATHERIA IN MY LEFT GROIN THEN SHIPPED ME TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL. I guess his plan was for her to die at 42? Seems like most of us older folks take our exercise seriously after an event like this. I had rotater cuff repair on June 4, 2016. Paramedics can try to revive your heart immediately if its stopped. They said if it keeps rising , it is bad. A widowmaker is an informal term for a heart attack that involves 100 percent blockage in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, says Stanley Chetcuti, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center. If you liked the information in this article make sure you read. After reviewing the pictures I was transported to the hospital thirty miles away where the cardiologist did the Heart Catherization and advised me because of the blockages and the location he could not stent. Also, check out our article on the new disappearing stent. They hooked me up to the monitor and things were looking good there but I went to the hospital as a precaution. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. The risk factors for a widowmaker heart attack, as with any heart attack, are primarily lifestyle choices or genetic factors that affect your cholesterol levels. My husband, at age 68, had a heart attack in February 2011 (fell unconscious on kitchen floor).