Should I be worrying?

[Tengu]

Well, I spent yesterday in the hospitals emergency department.

Not that there was much wrong with me (I felt such a fraud!) but I had been suffering a tender chest, so I went to the doctors...

...Who called an ambulance. (And I had to ring my landlord so he could come collect my car, -they wouldnt let me near it.)

Anyhow, I have been thoroughly checked out, which I can fully understand (given my family history.) Everyone is satisfied and I have been reffered to the chest pain clinic.

So I have been proscribed various medication....

Asprins, (75mg soluble, -a very small dose.) Presumably to thin my blood
Stuff that I am to spray under my tongue if I get chest pains. (This will whack my blood pressure down way low.)

I have not been told much at all, nor given advice beyond the usual `loose weight and excercise more` which everyone gets (even the dead people.)

They did not even tell me to cut down on fat...though they certainly made sure I knew the difference between good fats and bad fats, and were pleased to learn I love duck.


So, shall I worry?

 

[crosslandkelly]

You did the right thing, better safe than sorry.

 

[Wild Thing]

Nope.

Don't worry, just be careful.

There is a history of heart problems in my family and I have to be careful as well.

 

[decorum]

Given that you've been given pre-emptive meds, did you enquire as to whether you need to contact the DVLA or your insurance provider?

 

[Woodywoodpacker]

No don't worry as it causes stress and stress is bad for your heart.

The aspirin will thin your blood (in case you have an obstruction in your heart) and stop the blood clotting on any obstruction. The GTN spray is for if you get and chest pains pains in the arm etc which is a sign that your heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen. Take the spray and it opens the blood vessels allowing more oxygen into your blood to feed the heart muscles. If you were having a heart attack it would have shown up in the blood tests. The heart muscle is a different type of muscle to the rest in your body so if it gets damaged it gives off a specific chemical into the blood. The presence of that chemical indicates a heart attack. So they know what has gone on with you. I had that chemical 3 years ago in my blood that is how I know this. I use being out in the woods as a way of getting exercise so with luck warding off another attack. Been lucky so far though.
Oh and the GTN spray is cheaper to buy over the counter than to pay prescription costs.
I have a few stashed around one in my car, one in my desk, one in my bug out bag etc. You can bet that the time you need it would be the time you forget it.

I didn't have to tell the DVLA about this but wasn't allowed to drive for 1 month after the attack.
This has been my experience so far. I was advised no jogging on cold mornings and no lifting pianos. Apart from that do what I can.

Regards

Mike

 

[Herbalist1]

Hi Tengu,
dont feel like a fraud - chest pain, esp. if it comes on suddenly can be very frightening.
Also don't get too worried - they don't think you are in any immediate danger or they wouldn't have told you to get more excercise at this stage.
From what you've said, you haven't been given any diagnosis at this point - therefore there wouldn't be much point contacting DVLA or your insurers at the moment, unless you were advised not to drive on release from hospital which I'm assuming you weren't.
From all you've said, sounds like angina but don't hold me to that as I'm going on fairly limited info.
Do let us know how you get on.

 

[santaman2000]

Did they schedule or recommend any further tests: ECG, Stress Test, etc?

 

[Countryman]

Sorry to hear this Tengu. Very worrying.

Got to say though as a complete convert this year the argument for eating less and moving more is very clear.

Take care.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mesquite]

Given that you've been given pre-emptive meds, did you enquire as to whether you need to contact the DVLA or your insurance provider?

Wise advice, especially as the doctor wouldn't let you drive and felt it necessary to call an ambulance.

You don't want to have even a minor accident only to find your insurance is invalidated because you failed to disclose medical history.

 

[Wayne]

Tengu. If you haven't been referred to the a specialist cardiology department for further tests I wouldn't worry too much. The aspirin and GTN is a standard issue response.

If you haven't been advised by your doctor to cease driving I wouldn't inform the DVLA. You haven't been diagnosed as having had a heart attack you need an enzyme test for that. If your doctor was worried you would be being sent for more scans including a stress test to look at the blood flow through your heart muscle.

If you are still worried you can always call the gps surgery and ask to discuss it with your doctor or a practice nurse.

 

[Herbalist1]

Wise advice, especially as the doctor wouldn't let you drive and felt it necessary to call an ambulance.

You don't want to have even a minor accident only to find your insurance is invalidated because you failed to disclose medical history.

That's why I asked whether Tengu was given a diagnosis and whether they told her not to drive when she was discharged from the hospital. Not surprising that the Doc wouldn't let Tengu drive until being checked at the hospital - with severe chest pain you have to assume the worst until it's been properly investigated. But the hospital were happy with Tengu apparently and advised more excercise not something they'd do if they suspected any immediate risk.
Definitely worth contacting the Doc and asking the questions though. But need a definite diagnosis before contacting DVLA or insurer otherwise they won't be able to assess the risk.

One thing, Tengu - did the hospital mention any side effects regarding the under the tongue spray? Check the possible side effects for any warnings about drowsiness affecting ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. Not necessary a DVLA flag but you need to see how to react to the medication. If it's whacking your BP way down, I'm guessing it's a vasodilator - again you just need to assess how you react when you take it. Keep an eye out for lightheadedness/faintness.
Keep safe and look after yourself but don't get too stressed.

 

[Toddy]

I am sorry to hear you had such a scare, and genuinely hope that it settles quickly and never recurs.

I don't think I'd stress worry about it, but I would be asking lots of questions from the Doctors. What and why and how to improve matters for a long healthy life.

Year ago, Pete (known as Doc here and on SotP) said, "Eat a little less, move a little more. Try to make good food choices".
It's not a diet, it's a quiet way to live. It slowly increases stamina, brings down excess weight and it does so healthily while improving both mood and self esteem.
We're not stupid, we know the foods that we like to gorge on are bad for us when we aren't careful about consumption, but denying ourselves 24/7/365 is a miserable way to live.
Just three short phrases, but it's simple, it's gently effective, and it's very liveable. Might not make you model thin, but you'll still feel happier inside your skin

Best wishes for a full return to good health.
Mary

 

[decorum]

... the GTN spray is cheaper to buy over the counter than to pay prescription costs.

It was more the GTN that I was concerned about. Because of what it does it can, in some cases and for some people, cause loss of consciousness ~ I was given two squirts under my tongue last November ... . The effect wasn't immediate, instead it kicked in a couple of minutes later ~ and, potentially, enough time to get back behind the wheel after a discomforting spell and back into traffic :yikes: .

As you say, there's a chemical marker left after a cardiac moment and as it's not been mentioned and, I'm presuming, Tengu's out of hospital and roaming free we can assume that no emergency procedure has been scheduled for immediate action.

Personally I'd prefer to ask whether it might affect my ability to drive; I used to drive and not driving makes things more _difficult_ but I stopped long before I was informed it might, potentially, be an issue.

But, saying that, I'd not go straight to my insurer or the DVLA ~ My G.P's would be a better inroads and they'd be in a better position give the best advice and assurance ~ and assurance is, I think, what Tengu is after.

I have a few stashed around one in my car, one in my desk, one in my bug out bag etc. You can bet that the time you need it would be the time you forget it.

Good idea!

I didn't have to tell the DVLA about this but wasn't allowed to drive for 1 month after the attack.

It took them 11 months to ask me whether I drove ... :yikes: ... good job I don't! (I wouldn't have to stop, I would need to inform the relevant people )


EDIT: Believe it or not I started typing this out before you'd posted this morning . Delayed action cross posting?

 

[Bishop]

So, shall I worry?

It sounds like you'll be fine, just take things steady, watch the diet and keep that GTN close for now.

 

[Tengu]

Hmm, well, the doctor didnt want me driving as the under the tongue stuff kicked in straight away and I was feeling a little drunk...

Its called Glyceryl Trinitrate, and its not a perscription medicine, in fact according to the leaflet with it it sounds rather innoculous (compared to many over the counter medicines some of which sound scary.) I had a headache after which I put down to stress. (That day exhausted me even though I spent it flat on my back napping.) that is one of the very few side effects.

I got the impression that the Hospital were more interested in my Father than me.

He is thin, fit and active, at 77 we must all hope we are like him.

But he suffers from type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and had a heart atack two years ago (had to have a double bypass)

This is in spite of a life doing everything right!

I rather suspect my genes are against me (Autism is bad enough.)

 

[Wayne]

As there seems to be some concern with GTN I thought I would check in the BNF. There are reported causes of syncope (fainting) on the standing but this is listed as uncommon and dose related. The main side effect being headache. The BNF does not suggest that taking GTN should stop you from driving.

I also checked the US data and the NZ. None suggest driving should be an issue. GTN is a very widely prescribed drug and I have not seen any reported issues with it.

There are a lot of other commonly precribed medications that should cause concern.

One should never take definitive medical advice from a forum so if you're in doubt talk to your GP or pharmacist.

 

[Tengu]

As said the leaflet. Possible fainting and to not drive or operate heavy machinery until used to the drug.

 

[decorum]

There are reported causes of syncope (fainting) on the standing but this is listed as uncommon and dose related.

Yup, that was it's effect on me ~ and it caused my resting heart rate* to drop to below what their special monitor machine would read down to :yikes: . I've no idea whether different strengths are given for different reasons or tests


* I should point out that my resting heart rate is low. Medical tests can be quite stressful and their special gizmo pegged me at 40 b.p.m ~ when it raced during the tests it rose to 60 and, at some point(s) got as high as 80 (I run ~ I'm not elite athlete fit but they're not overly concerned as my heart, generally, kicks like a mule ).

 

[Bishop]

Sounds innocuous
till you realise that the major component ethanol is the same stuff used in camp stoves and that the active ingredient Glyceryl Trinitrate is a fancy way of saying Nitro-Glycerin.
There's also a warning about not getting the stuff near anything glowing hot and avoiding handling or storage above 50 degrees Celsius. Handy in a pinch if your tinder is damp

You did the right thing going to hospital at the first sign of trouble, I didn't and very nearly failed big-time.

 

[Tonyuk]

I really wouldn't worry. My family has a bad history of cancer and theres been a few times going to the doctors i've gotten worked up but in the end thankfully it all came down to a bug or some other infection. Be aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and have a bit of asprin close by. Other than that just keep active and you should be fine.

One the the healthiest people i knew died from a sudden heart attack, i'm a firm believer that heart attacks, cancer etc.. are just some of the things that if your meant to get then you will.

Tonyuk