Cardiac arrest

[Lilaclady]

Yesterday my husband visited the heart doctor for the first time. He had an EKG last Tuesday and his doctor made the appointment for him. A few minutes after he saw the doctor as he was walking to the exit he passed out. He woke up to find several doctors and EMTs around him. He was taken by ambulance to the emergency, which was actually just two blocks away. Shortly after I got to the hospital, a doctor came in and told him that he experienced a cardiac arrest. Two cardiologists couldn’t detect a pulse for 45 seconds. They were performing CPR. He recently started meds to lower his blood pressure which hovers in the high 140/100 range. When I first saw him his BP was 196/118. At the hospital, after the doctor told him his heart stopped for 45 seconds, his blood pressure was 200/124. He’s having a test today and they are putting him on Beta blockers. We’ve been married for 51years. We are both 76. We have no family here as one is 3 hours away and one is 4 hours away. We do have some very close friends. I read only 10% of people who have cardiac arrest survive and one reason he is still here is that he didn’t make it out of the office to the truck, Thank God. I’m hoping he comes home today. We are just starting to absorb this event. I think we’re still in the “I can’t believe this happened “ frame of mind. Thanks for letting me vent.

[bottomofthehill]

1. Wow, good thing Medical care was so close.

Although sorry for the medical condition, happy for the outcome.

[murielm99]

2. What a lucky break for him.

Keep him safe.

[Walleye]

3. Oh good luck with all that.Sounds like he's being taken care of.Hope you get many more years togethe

It’s so stressful take care of yourself as well.

[elocs]

4. Best wishes to you and your husband, I hope he makes a speedy & full recovery. n/t

[Duncanpup]

5. Hugs

[imanamerican63]

6. Hopefully he can get to home today.

It a scary thing to go thru. I’m am taking some bp meds and they are working pretty well so far. I’m 59 and been taking them for several years. My doctor did a great job to get my bp under control.

[Maraya1969]

7. 10%? I remember my stepfather had at least one a year. He had open heart surgery

and, (OK maybe he didn't have full blown hearts attacks but they had to keep putting new stints in). And he lived well into his 80's. He also had some other issues and he didn't die from his heart issues but a UTI.

But either way this is a very hard time and I wish for healing for both of you

[Goddessartist]

8. Hugs! Best wishes to both of you! I had a heart attack last year...

sending you both lots of love

[Lilaclady]

9. Thank you

I appreciate all the support

[ms liberty]

10. Hugs to you both

How frightening for you! Thank goodness he was right where he could get immediate help. Hopefully this will get his heart and bp situation fixed.

[livetohike]

11. So frightening for you both! Holding positive thoughts

for a quick recovery and treatment. Also for your peace of mind.

[Duppers]

12. Keep us posted.

My hubby, 80, also had high spikes in his BP but is now on extra meds, watches his diet, and takes his numbers twice daily.

Good luck to your hubby and yourself, Lilaclady.

[2naSalit]

13. Yikes!

Lucky to be in the right place at the right time! I hope things work out well!

[Stinky The Clown]

14. To you both, all good thoughts

[MiHale]

15. Right spot at the right time...

Little younger, 71, been through it a couple times already, defying any percentage. Take care, listen to the doctors, it’s very hard but relax, use any form of quiet meditation or contemplation to get there.
This is geared for your husband but both of you can benefit, my dear wife did she was going to worry herself sick till we both worked at being more mindful.

Good luck the worst may be over.

[LiberalArkie]

16. After 3 silent heart attacks and being 75, the only thing I can say is EXERCISE. Walk, walk

it does make a big difference

[calimary]

17. OMG! What an ordeal!

I’m glad you wrote about it here. I’ve read that it helps one detach from them and enables a more objective assessment. That distance and perspective can calm the emotions and help keep you on more steady ground.

This place is really great when something happens that you need to kick around a little bit.

[Lonestarblue]

18. Thank goodness he was so close to help. Sending good vibes that doctors are able to fix any

heart problems.

[localroger]

19. He needs an angiogram, now.

Something very similar happened to me just before my 50th birthday, sudden spike in blood pressure which I caught because I monitor it regularly. They did a bunch of tests and I nearly stroked out on the treadmill, which they stopped short because my BP was 240/140. Turns out I had a 85% blocked Lateral Anterior Descending LAD coronary artery, charmingly nicknamed the Widowmaker. I was very fortunate to catch it before I had an actual heart attack. And fortunately the technology exists to completely fix the situation, but it does involve roto-rootering your arteries which is a little weird.

[True Blue American]

27. It is amazing

What can be done today.

[Randomthought]

20. Big hug

Take care of y9urself, too.

[AllaN01Bear]

21. ""

long time heart patient here . thoughts go with u.

[Bluethroughu]

22. That is so scary. I'm glad he had a quick team to take care of him,

and I'm sure you are just reeling with emotion. I hope they get to the root of the issue quickly and he makes a solid recovery. I'm sorry the two of you are going through this.

[LoisB]

23. My goodness. I am glad he got quick medical care. Hugs to you both.

[niyad]

24. Vibes for healing and strength and a full and swift recovery headed your way

for your husband. Your DU family is here for you. Lean as hard as you need. Someone is always here.

hugggggggs

[True Blue American]

25. My Son was having an EKG

For chest pains. The Doctors saw he was having a heart attack, out a stint in. immediately pain was gone. He is now taking cardio therapy.

[Lilaclady]

26. Thanks

I can’t thank all of you enough for your support. I’m waiting for him to call after his tests. I was pretty good yesterday but today I seem to have butterflies in my stomach. Suddenly I find myself tearing up. My mother died in June at 100. I was well enough to travel to NY for her birthday in April. But health problems kept me from attending her funeral in June. My great niece streamed it on FaceTime for us. I’m thinking of calling a nurse available through my health insurance.

[Goddessartist]

32. Calling a nurse to come in is a great idea!

[yonder]

45. Be mindful of your own health too.

This event has likely affected yourself more than you think.

Best wishes toward a positive outcome.

[peacebuzzard]

28. ❤️ unbelievable circumstances.

and the bp! That was very high; Best wishes to you and hubby. I hope he has a rapid recovery.

[Farmer-Rick]

29. Just a note to let you know

People do survive a heart attack. My uncle had 2 then open heart surgery and he survived for year afterwards.

The trick is you have to change your lifestyle to live longer. You have to increase your exercise, quit smoking, quit drinking and eat right. If he does all that already, it just means he has to increase the good parts of it.

[ProfessorGAC]

54. My Dad Had One At 50.

He lived 19 more years. Had bypass at around 55 years old.
He died at 69, but that was liver failure as a consequence of diabetes.
He basically had cirrhosis of the liver & probably had 10 cocktails a year his whole life & none after the diabetes.
So, he had a heart attack & a bypass and the heart isn't what got him.
Like you said, a heart attack is survivable.

[dalton99a]

30. Glad he is ok. He should see an interventional cardiologist ASAP

and then a general cardiologist regularly

[AKwannabe]

31. ...

[twodogsbarking]

33. I'm rooting for you both.

[Elessar Zappa]

34. Vibes to you.

He’ll make it through this.

[colorado_ufo]

35. What an experience!

Sincerely, now that the immediate crisis is over, you must look to self-care. This has affected you, also. Try to de-stress, watch you diet, get rest and do some mild exercise. And fresh air! Some short walks outside. Get that nurse in so that you can have a break, and he will be safe. You don't need to have both of you in need of care. You are important, too!

Hugs to you and stay well!

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

36. sending good vibes!

[herding cats]

37. He's in good hands right now.

He's extremely fortunate he was there when it happened and now they're taking good care of him.

It's you I'm worried about at the moment. You need someone there with you. Is there anyone you can call to be with you?

[Lilaclady]

41. Update

To herding cats - my good friend will be with me today. My husband is having an angioplasty this afternoon and they may send him home this evening. You have all been so supportive and encouraging. I greatly appreciate the messages. It seems at one point in the past he had a heart attack, but he doesn’t know when. Fortunately when his heart stopped he was at the cardiologist and they were able to treat him immediately. I spoke with a nurse who gave me several resources if I need to talk with someone. You are all such blessings - may you each have a happy and healthy day.

[herding cats]

44. I'm happy to know you're also in good hands.

It sounds like things are going in the right direction for you. Keep us updated.

[Bettie]

50. I hope he comes through well

and that you have many more years together.

It is terrifying, to see them go through this.

[Hortensis]

57. Angioplasty and maybe coming home today.

Hope so and you can be home together.

Love modern medicine!

[Liberal In Texas]

38. Good luck to you both.

Sounds like he should have been sent to a cardiologist way before now. He should have had tests and stronger meds for the HBP.

At his age he should have had a stress EKG and depending what that turned up an angiogram.

I hope he gets great medical care now and maybe it can give him a new lease on life.

[MOMFUDSKI]

39. you have family right here on DU!

So happy it worked out well. Take care of yourself and your husband.

[TygrBright]

40. Thank you for reaching out to let us know.

Lilaclady your family may be far away, but you are part of a big community that cares, and we'll hang in here with you. Let us know how its going.

Those of us who are believers will be praying for you and your husband, others will be holding you in thought and heart, knowing that you're facing difficult challenges.

But not alone.

Stay strong, stay in touch.

affectionately,
Bright

[JudyM]

42. Wishing you both the very best

My mother coded at the hospital, too, about 5 years ago (in her early 90s) and is doing well today, plus your hubs is now having his medication changed as he needs and he’ll be monitored. Do you exercise together? That could help, too.

[cutter_man]

43. So sorry this happened!

I was diagnosed with GERD in the summer of 2021 and my entire chest burned so bad I couldn't hardly stand it. My doctor sent me to a gastro and he gave me some stronger meds and sent me for an upper scope. I went back to my gastro afterwards and he told me they could not find anything wrong with me. He gave me some stronger meds and sent me home. This went on for months. In November of 2021 I went back and told him I couldn't hardly stand the pain anymore. He looked at me with a puzzled look and said, "it hurts?" Well, yes, I have been telling you his for the last 6 months! He sent me to my regular doctor for a heart check. He hooked me up to a 12 lead EKG and then told me I had left ventrical hypertrophy and sent me to a cardiologist. The cardio told me the hypertrophy was caused from years of HBP and taking meds for HBP. He scheduled a stress test for me. About a week later I felt like I had a chest cold coming on. I walked up 2 short flights of stairs at work and started hyperventilating. I drove myself to the hospital (next door to my house) and they told me I had had a heart attack and was going to do a heart catheter. This was all I remember until I was shocked with the defibrillator. I have foggy memories of being in two different hospital rooms.They kept me out of it until 3.5 weeks later when they woke me and told me I needed a heart transplant. Because I was an occasional smoker they told me I would have to have an LVAD until I was able to be put on the list and a heart found. They had put an impella in me which was a heart pump. It was sending impulses to my heart and controlling it. They examined me for days on end to see if my body was able to go through the transplant. As this was going on my heart got stronger. They would turn the pump down a couple of hours a day, then they would turn it off for a few hours a day. My heart got stronger and I got well enough that they wanted to control my problem with meds. They took out the pump, observed me for a few more days then sent me home with an external defibrillator which I wore for the next three months. I went for a year, then they checked my ejection fraction to see if I was a candidate for a pacemaker. My heart had grown stronger but was still somewhat weak. Long story short, I'm on stronger heart meds and improving every day. I flat lined three times during my hospital stay and I have continually defied the odds.

Make sure he takes his meds, keep the stress to a minimum, make sure he eats healthy, and get him into cardio rehab. I went into rehab immediately after coming home and I was petrified at the thought of exercising after all I had been through but it quickly strengthened my heart. The best advice I got was not to let it stop you from living. Just follow doctors orders and carry on with your life. (sorry for the novel!)

[Lilaclady]

51. Heart

- that was quite an ordeal for you and I am so sorry you had to experience all the pain for so long. He’s still in the hospital. They are fitting him tomorrow for a LifeVest that he’ll wear except for showering. And we’re seeing another specialist also. This dr said he’s the ‘plumber’ and we need to see an ‘electrician’. He is getting excellent care and his attitude is very good. I met his dr today and thanked him for saving his life. That’s still a hard concept to take in. We will definitely make some changes and improve our diets. I make all our bread and we very seldom eat out. But desserts are a challenge. We’ll walk more, he’s been sluggish for a while. His dr said he’ll feel much better after taking new meds. And he is going to give up caffeinated coffee. We just have to adjust to our new normal. I can’t thank you all enough for all your care and support.

[Grasswire2]

46. pacemaker with indwelling cardioversion capability in his future?

I have a friend in his 70s who suffered cardiac arrest some years ago.

He doesn't give it a moment of fear any more because of the pacemaker with the capability of shocking his heart back to rhythm if it should arrest again.

I have a pacemaker, implanted in April. Not for arrest, but for bradycardia (slow pulse). The surgery is an overnight stay, and the peace of mind is priceless.

[Warpy]

47. Have they talked about an internal defibrillator?

That plus medication to control his heart rhythm can buy him a lot of good time outside the hospital.

This sort of thing is really scary, but he picked a good place for it. I'll bet he's been having dizzy spells for some time and just shrugged them off because they weren't serious and didn't last long. We all do things like that, it's not serious until it is.

This is something he's going to have to take care of. If you don't have a blood pressure machine, get one, they won't break the bank and the battery powered ones don't need any expertise to use. Take it with you to the doctor's ofice to be checked against their blood pressure units to make sure it's calibrated correctly (you only have to do this once).

If you still smoke, for pity's sake throw the cigarettes out. That major cardiac event says it's time.

[MLAA]

48. Sending hugs.

My dear 88 year old husband had a heart attack 4 years ago. He had heart surgery and did all his cardio rehab at the cardio rehab gym. Since then very good reports at his twice annual check ups.

If you are ever interested here is the best book ever for preventing and reversing heart disease: I’ve given it to his doctors and anyone I come across with heart disease.

https://www.amazon.com/Prevent-Reverse-Heart-Disease-Nutrition-Based-ebook/dp/B000SEK74M/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3UELSDFIFKJTU&keywords=Repair+and+prevent+heart+disease&qid=1693338725&sprefix=repair+and+prevent+heart+disease%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-4

Sending hugs

[pandr32]

49. I am so sorry!

It is lucky he was close to help. My wish is for him to recover and for both of you to manage his health going forward. Losing a partner is devastating, so following doctor's orders is the way to go. Hugs to you,

[NowISeetheLight]

52. Glad He Made It

CPR is overplayed on TV. I remember one of my Dad's Patrolman had an 0-21 CPR record (Dad was a 36 year police officer & Chief). I've done CPR twice while on a police reserve and both made it. Statistically it's not a good bet.

[BigmanPigman]

53. Man, he is lucky to have been

in the right place at the right time. That rarely happens.

[Raine]

55. Healing thoughts and wishes for your husband

having a full recovery. 🙏

[pansypoo53219]

56. lucky. my mom's cousin's wife didn't feel well, was rushed into surgery, but she still died.

good luck.