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Heart Attack Question???

post #1 of 9
5/7/03 at 12:32pm
Thread Starter 
Is it possible to have a mild heart attack and not know it?


I had some sort of an attack/spell I don't know what you would call it, but I was at an inlaws house who is having servious heart trouble. She has had open heart surgery twice in the last 3 months! All this started with a very, very mild heart attack and she thinks that is what I was having.

Tightness in my chest, I couldn't get a deep breath, some nausea, and I haven't been well ever since (this happened on Sunday) I barely got out of bed on Monday and I didn't get out of bed Tuesday. But I feel a little better today. I REALLY don't think that this was a heart attack and if I did , I would see a Dr immediately! But I was just wondering if it is possible to have a mild heart attack and not know that you are having one?
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post #2 of 9
5/7/03 at 12:54pm
I have heard that alot of women have mild heart attacks and never know that is what is happening because the symptoms are different from those of men. Alot of doctors even miss warning signs for women. Women tend to get breathless but don't have the obvious chest pain that men experience. Also nausea, weakness, fatigue and pain in the upper back, neck, jaw and shoulders could be signs of a heart attack.
If you suspect anything I would go see your doctor imediately. Heart dissease is the number 1 killer of American women and alot of it is because it goes undetected.
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post #3 of 9
5/7/03 at 12:57pm
You should go to the doctor just in case.
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post #4 of 9
5/7/03 at 2:17pm
I say go to the doctor. Better safe than sorry! Hope you feel better!!
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post #5 of 9
5/7/03 at 2:41pm
I'd go to the doc. I've heard the same things that Elaine said. I watched a show on Oprah about it.
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post #6 of 9
5/7/03 at 5:10pm
I am with everyone else.....go to the Dr just in case.....We had a very good family friend die from aheart attack Christmas day 5 years ago ...she was cooking dinner and wasn't feeling well so she decided to take a nap...told her dh to wake her up at this time because dinner would be almost done.......she never woke up She had a heart attack and died in her sleep. It was so completely unexpected...so if you feel at all out of sorts liek that then PLEASE get checked out!!!!!!
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post #7 of 9
5/7/03 at 9:06pm
Shelia, I would go in for a check up. It is VERY possible to have a mild MI & not even know it. It will show up later on a 12-lead EKG.

Many times women are misdiagnosed because their MI symptoms are sometimes vague & do not follow the "classic" MI symptoms that men have (chest tightness, pressure, pain down left arm, diaphoresis, etc.). I had a patient whose only symptom was a TOOTHACHE!?! That's rare, but pretty odd. Seems that many female cardiac patients have referred pain to the jaw. Just seem to see that a bit in my practice.

At any rate, Shelia, I would get checked out and get some baseline labs & a 12 lead EKG done. Take care!
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post #8 of 9
5/8/03 at 2:02pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone!!! I still don't feel very good, but I really don't think that it was a heartattack. I am going to get an appt with my Dr next week
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post #9 of 9
5/8/03 at 2:05pm
Good for you . It is a good idea. I hope you feel well soon
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