joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

You were smart to listen to your body, Frank. When you get old, you sometimes wait for your body to be shouting before you listen. You set a good example for me. I’m praying that you keep improving.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Both; but more on the getting older. I don’t feel like I am just surviving; I am getting older and still enjoying life. We don’t know what the future brings, but we can be positive and enjoy life as long as we can.

MRHooker2u Loc: Kingston, WA

Back in 2020 after lugging around 20 lbs. of camera equipment I was a little out of breath but didn't think much of it. A week or so later, on a Tuesday, I was walking around in a big-box store and my breathing was more labored than usual with no other alarming symptoms. Due to family history and bad genetics I decided to go to the ER. After all the heart and artery related test, I went into surgery thinking all that was necessary was to get a stent since my symptoms were so minor. Lo and behold, after several hours and six bypasses later (most the cardiothoracic surgeon had ever done) I woke up in the cardio intensive care unit. Case in point, don't ignore symptoms, no matter how minor they may seem.

fantom Loc: Colorado

Yeah, getting old can be a hassle but look on the good side----it doesn't last too long.

bittermelon

I had an ultrasound check on my arteries because way back in college I smoked for a couple of years. Good news was, my arteries were OK. Bad news was, I had a growth in my intestinal lining that I need to get it checked, ASAP. Had I not smoked and made to do an ultrasound, I would be dead by now. So smoking actually saved my life.

KillroyII Loc: Middle Georgia

Glad “you passed” and it looks like you are back to normal.

My heart events started in 2005 and I have had caths, balloons, stents several times. In the last couple of years I have started rhythm irregularties ( my wife has 3 different/severe rhythm problems). My cardiologist always cautions me to get to ER with any discomforts in chest or shoulder. I have been a lower % of disability, with VA for agent Orange exposure, for multiple issues since they started that. Between 2005 and 2009 with numerous heart fixes the VA kept moving the % up till I was 100% permanent & total… for my remaining lifetime.

As it happens, the last 2 ER trips, w pain, have NOT been my heart. One was signifiant pain in L shoulder and numbness down arm to fingers… ended up being C4 thru C7 in my neck… fixed with ACDF. Most recent was chest pain and was Costacondritis (? Spelling, it is inflammation around bones in chest) fixed with steroid dose pack.

MRHooker2u Loc: Kingston, WA

It is a curse! I have visited the ER several times with chest discomfort since my bypass surgery but each time the results were other causes. There are so many different issues that are not heart or arterial related which cause chest pains. I have been told numerous times by the doctors that not all heart attacks display the classic "crushing chest pains", "pain in the jaw", "pain shooting down the left arm", etc... So, almost every time, but not always, I get a discomfort in my chest, it is off to the ER. Thank God for insurance. With my most recent visit I was billed over $33,000 but will have to pay only a small percentage of that.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

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Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Been there, done that (several times) and that’s why I recommended the Kardia device. When I get chest or shoulder pain (which I do especially after lifting heavy objects), I pull the Kardia off the back of my phone and do a quick 2 lead EKG, and if my QRST wave looks correct, unless I have other symptoms, I don’t call the rescue squad unnecessarily. Of course an EKG won’t catch every problem, but you can sure see a STEMI (my last MI) or an arrhythmia.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Gee, I feel lucky now.
78 - heart arrhythmia and high blood pressure controlled by meds., had my gall bladder removed decades ago, asthma and allergies, diabetes that is more or less controlled, depends on what my wife is cooking
Sciatic nerve pinch so some days my left leg is bad enough I can't walk far but with my street legal mobility scooter I can harass birds in the parks that are close enough to use it instead of my car.

So, the only surgeries: gall bladder, a rotorooter job to open my sinus passages so they would drain, and one ingrown toenail so bad the doctor had to remove part of the nail down to the root when I was in 9th grade.

So no stints, no bypass, etc. etc. This thread has me alternating between, glad it isn't me, sorry about that and hang in there.

Through my retirement from Los Angeles Unified School District I have a Kaiser plan that would rate as Platinum+ and as a fallback I have VA from Vietnam with a disability pension due to hearing trouble and the diabetes connected to Agent Orange exposure, and they have now added high blood pressure to the exposure connected problems so my disability will go up.
The only thing I have used the VA for was exams when I claimed the disability and Feb 29th VA gave me free hearing aids based on a full evaluation done by Kaiser. It seems they have the Riverside Kaiser Medical Center on their list of "We trust them." places. And the audiologist at Kaiser told me to go to VA with her report to get hearing aids. She said 1. They will be free, no copay and 2. They use a higher end brand than your school district Kaiser coverage will supply.

So now I hear all kinds of sounds at volume that I don't think I ever heard in my life. Or at least not since 2 years in Vietnam.

dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

I now that episode wa scary for you. I have five stents on my coronary arteries and, because of them, my heart has been functioning very well since 2010. I wish you well.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Not so scary, I have been expecting this since 2015, knew it was time for the stint.
I am very lucky to have a Cardiologist that I trust and that trust me, she knows I don't call over every little ache or pain.

EJMcD

Always maintain your sense of humor. You don't stop laughing because you get old...YOU GET OLD BECAUSE YOU STOP LAUGHING!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

You don't get Old, Old gets you when you stop laughing