MyStory
I was working in a high volume, stressful office. I noticed that I was having trouble breathing, but I brushed off to stress - especially since I had a slight history of anxiety attacks. For 3 weeks, my shortness of breath became increasingly more frequent, I literally couldn't walk from my car to the office without getting out of breath. I left work that Thursday afternoon, thinking the weekend would give me the chance to relax... the following day, I was at the supermarket and I knew something wasn't right. I left my cart at the store & walked into my Dr's office (which happened to be right across the street). I had an EKG done in the office, but it showed nothing abnormal. Fortunately for me, my Dr knew something wasn't right and didn't discard what I was feeling - so she sent me immediately to a cardiologist office. After a multitude of tests & Dr appts, a heart cath revealed that I had a 99% blockage in my RCA - at 42 years old! I was rushed to the hospital and had a stent placed that night. My cardiologist told me that if I had not gone to the dr when I did, I probably would not have survived the heart attack that was waiting for me. I had no health problems previously, other than being overweight, only a long family history of heart disease. I was released the following day and boy did I feel great! I didn't realize how crummy I felt for so long, until I felt better....If I can give anyone out there any advice, it's LISTEN TO YOUR SYMPTOMS! Had I not finally given in to how I felt, I might not be typing this blog. Since my surgery, I walk 2-3 miles pretty much every day (sometimes even in the rain), my husband and I go hiking and do 5k races on a regular basis, plus I've lost 60 lbs. My only regret is that I didn't go to the Dr sooner!
