Heart Attack

[livingwith]

God willing, it will be 2 years on Nov. 21, 08 that I will have survived a massive coronary. I had 100% blockage in the LAD and was care flighted to a city hospital. It was the most terrifying experience of my life.
My problem is I live every day scared that I’m going to die. The surgeon told me that if I smoked and had another one that I would die. I was able to stop smoking for the first 4 or 5 months after my M.I. but became so depressed that I picked it back up.
Normally with all my m...Read the full article

[Jenniferhelen]

Amy, I completely understand where you're coming from. My husband is 43 years-old. He had his first heart attack when he was 37. He was really a hard-nosed "macho" man who has worked very hard since the age of 12. He didn't even believe the intern who confirmed he was having his first heart attack in the ER. My husband simply thought he was having some type of muscle problems or something since BOTH arms hurt and he felt weak. With stent placement and a little rest, he went on his merry way. Then, while visiting his cardiologist 3 years later he had to have 3 more stents put in because of progressive angina and arteriosclerosis. Well, he lost 60 lbs with diet and exercise between Jan 07 and May 07. In May 07, he had a massive heart attack. The "widow maker" as referred by his cardiologist. Just 2 days prior he commented on how he felt better than he had in many years. After months of cardio rehab (& months of TRYING to quit smoking with no luck) he is on a strictly monitored drug therapy. He has congestive heart failure and should monitor his sodium and fluid intake. He has chest pains all the time when he has the least bit of activity. His once macho "attitude" has deminished. I can understand that. When you face your own mortality, I'm sure it changes you. In addition to seeing his heart failure specialist on a monthly basis, he also has monthly pschyciatric therapy visits which seem to help him cope with his failing health. We have a 6 year old son together and I know he worries about "leaving" him. He also knows that he's my very best friend in the whole world and I don't know what I will ever do without him. I feel your pain. I will pray for you Amy.