r/HeartAttack

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My mom is 40 years old and has diabetes.

Since yesterday she's been having mild pain that comes and goes. Sometimes it's in her left chest, sometimes in her left shoulder/left arm. She also says she feels tired sometimes. The pain isn't severe, and she doesn't have shortness of breath. Her fasting blood sugar this morning was 120 mg/dL.

She thinks it's just stress because she's been under a lot of tension and doesn't want to go to the hospital.

I'm worried because I've heard that chest pain with left arm pain can sometimes be heart-related, especially in people with diabetes.

Would you take her to the emergency department for an ECG and blood tests, or does this sound more like muscle pain or stress? Has anyone experienced something similar?

So yesterday at 4pm i started having chest pains, just hurt to breathe deeply, i thought this is just normal fybro/chosto pain, s9 monitored over the next hour or 2, at 6pm i went down stairs to cook mine and my dads dinner, at which point i was also getting pain in my shoulder, numbnees in my arm and neck/jaw, so i spoke with my mum who said its nothing to worrie about, at about 7pm after i had eaten i still didnt feel right so i did an ecg on my watch (samsung galaxy watch 6, im aware there not 100% accurate but can give an indication of whats going on), yea my heart was in afib, so called 999, told them what going on, they sent out rapid responders who confirmed afib and took me to hospital, i was monitored for a few hours, till my heartbrate returned to normal (well normal sinus rythem), was given an aspirin which eased the heart pain (i know its a blood thinner, so means my heart was working less), had a contrast (with iodine) ct scan, a chest xray, and s3veral lots of blood taken. Results of the ct were clear, no damage to heart, blood vessals and arteries are working as they should, not sure why xray but it came back fine, all blood tests showed no sign of clotting (so no heart attack or stroke), all in i was there for 9.5 hours, got home at 6.10 am was absolutly shattered did not wake up till 3pm this afternoon.

so im now reffered to a cardiac specialist (apparently afib does not just happen), and my doctor for further testing.

Why am i posting here, because what i thought was just fybro pain turned out to be a life-critical emergency, DO NOT THINK EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE, DO NOT WAIT, it it does not feel right call 999, they really dont think your wasting there time.

I would include a pic of me in hospital but i cant for some reason

Ok, I’ll keep it brief, but I feel including my history is helpful.

January 2020, presented with chest pain to ER, had an MI, troponin was over 1k, performed heart cath, had 90% occlusions on right side and 40% on LAD. I had a quad CABG at 38 years old. I have been type 1 diabetic since 7 years old. At time of MI, triglycerides were 1000, A1c was 7.8, cholesterol 215.

January 2026 presented to ER with beat skipping sensations. Troponin 95, performed heart cath, 3 of my bypasses failed, my Lima was 0% occluded. Stented my transverse. Cholesterol 190, triglycerides 560, A1c 8.0.

Most recent labs triglycerides 145, LDL 90, cholesterol 135, A1c 7.6 EF 55.

Recently, about a month ago, I started experiencing a chest tightness when exerting. 2/10 pain, no dizziness, sweating, syncope, nothing. Just a mild tightness that almost feels like heartburn. It does NOT just occur on exertion, and only occurs on exertion occasionally. It’s happened once when I mowed lawn, then never again. Happened last night when I rode my bike, but no other times. Happened once while jogging, but no other times. It’s almost random. It does subside with ceasing physical activity. I know I should not be having angina four months post PCI. Last cardio visit in May, doc did not seem concerned.

It sometimes occurs on exertion, sometimes not. Is this symptomatic of restenosis? Maybe my Lima is failing or something. I’m calling my cardio to describe, just curious if anyone had any thought.

Just a side note, after my stent:

Zero alcohol
Zero THC
Fully medicine compliant
Exercise or cardio 5 days a week
Average BPM while exercising is down down to around 105 right now
Last labs were three weeks ago, and all within normal ranges.

UPDATE

So, wild week. I went to my appt with my cardio on Weds 6/24, he prescribed me Ranexa and Zetia, and scheduled me for an angiography on 7/2.

After the visit, I had zero symptoms, on exertion or otherwise. I mowed the lawn, and rode my bike starting the night of the appointment 6/24, and experienced zero symptoms.

Went for angiography on 7/2, and was 95% restenosed on ends of my stent that I got in January. He placed two more stents, one each in either side of my original stent.

I was shocked AF. All my cardio really said was what we were already doing. Lower A1c and LDL. Zetia will probably get me from 95 to under goal of 50. I have a pump consult for my diabetes, but I have another A1c scheduled in August.

I’ve always been around 7-7.5 on my A1c, so my control hasn’t been horrible.

I am utterly shocked at how I could have gotten a 95% blockage on both ends of my stent, after only four months after having it placed. My cardiologist really had no answers for me either. I have a follow up appointment in one month.

Does this classify as restenosis? Was it scar tissue? My labs were quasi good. What in the hell caused the stenosis? Why so fast? Was there a mistake with the placement of my stent?

I have so many questions, no answers.

Hello, I have a post of my recent heart attack which is most likely a SCAD, I just have a question if anyone can share.
How long did it took you (during recovery) to go back to exercise and which types of exercises were you able to do? Also if you have any life-long limitations?

I’m wondering cause I have anxiety and exercise helps me reduce and control it, but now that I can’t do it, I feel like I need to keep moving myself (I will continue checking this up with therapy and my dr’s) but I’m wondering about other people’s experiences.

My wife, who is a healthy 53 year-old woman was traveling to Wyoming for a work conference. While she was there, she experienced severe chest pain, jaw, pain, throat, pain, and arm pain so her coworkers took her to the ER. Doctors gave her four aspirin to chew right away. The EKG was normal. The pain went from a nine to a three after about 10 minutes. The first troponin blood enzyme test came back elevated at 100. They said that normal is 30 or below. Second test two hours later 618. The third test two hours later 780. The fourth test several hours later 598 and the fifth test the next morning 285.

Echocardiogram score of 57, which they said was normal. the heart is functioning normally. I jumped on the first flight to Wyoming and got to her the next morning while they were doing a heart Cath to find the blockage. By the time I got to her room they were wheeling her back in and the cardiologist said “pristine arteries “no blockages anywhere.

They also did a D dimer, which is a test to see if there are blood clots in the lungs. It came back negative.

They discharged her the following morning stating that she had no restrictions, even though she was still feeling breathless and chest pressure and when laying on her side, she also gets a sharp pain in the middle of her chest. They wrote a prescription for nitroglycerin and said that if it gets bad before getting back home to Florida, take a nitroglycerin.

I felt very nervous putting her on an airplane four 5 hours so we drove from Wyoming to Denver, which was only 90 minutes away and we stayed in a hotel next to the hospital for three days. She had light chest pressure and shortness of breath every day.

We finally had the courage to fly home. We found a direct flight and got home with no issues. Once Home the following day after a long, hot shower, the pressure got very strong and I took her to the ER. Troponin score is now back in normal range. They did a deep vein thrombosis ultrasound on her legs and it came back negative. Normal EKG. They also did a contrast CT on her lungs and found no blockages. After six hours in the ER, her pressure/ pain was down to about a two and they released her.

The first cardiologist appointment we could get was two weeks later. Pretty much the same pattern every day waiting for the appointment with the cardiologist. Light pressure and shortness of breath when she’s up moving around. She cannot lay on her side, her left side or her right side. That’s when the sharp pain right in the middle of the chest comes back.

While sleeping one night, she inadvertently rolled over onto her side and it woke her up with chest pain. This is the first time she decided to take a nitroglycerin pill. The pain was gone within five minutes But the shortness of breath and the light pressure stayed throughout the day.

Three days later, one week before the cardiology appointment she had another bad episode and took a nitroglycerin pill but this time the symptoms did not go away, so I took her back to the ER. Troponin score was normal. EKG was normal while laying in the hospital over six hours It came down to a 2 and they released her again. This time the doctor in the ER said “it’s probably a G.I. issue” which really upset us because a classic rise and fall Troponin score did occur and I highly doubt that a heart attack and a G.I. Issue happened at the same time.

Over the next several days, symptoms were mild but pretty continuous, and we finally had our appointment with the cardiologist.

He explained in detail what could cause a MINOCA heart attack and that yes this did occur based on the troponin scores. He immediately ordered a cardiac MRI, which I was very happy to hear because the Wyoming hospital did not even do that test.

The MRI is tonight. We should have some answers over the next few days as well as a treatment plan.

Does my wife’s story sound anything like anybody else’s story? And if so, were you able to live a normal life after this happened? Also, did you get clear answers as to what caused it and how to avoid it again?

The rehab program doesn't cost her anything, it's 5 minutes from her home, free parking and me or my dad can drive her.

She is 70 and is annoyed that it's twice a week for 4 months and it's at set times. I think you're not supposed to miss any either. She was expecting to be sent home with a list of exercises she could do on her own.

Anyone have experience with a similar cardiac rehab program? Anyone fine after not doing any rehab? I'm at a loss here. I just keep hearing it is very important for future quality of life for her.

I’m a 47 year old male with a strong family history of early heart attacks. I recently had my bloodwork done for the first time in a long time and was shocked by the results.

167 ApoB
5.82 hs-CRP
252 Total Cholesterol
174.4 LDL

Those were the most alarming. I’ve completely cut out trans fat and added lots of soluble fiber over the last week and started 5mg Crestor, but I can’t help but to feel like I’m going to die before Crestor can really help me. My doctor said I could wait for 3 months to try diet before starting Crestor, but I went ahead and started because I’m terrified. I know it takes 2-4 weeks for the Crestor to have any real benefits. Any help?

Hi, I hope this is ok to post here - I have familial cholesterol and have a non-calcified plaque in my carotid artery. I am currently following the Esselstyn reversal plan although I have been prescribed statins I am not taking them. I hope to reduce LDL and harden the plaque in my carotid artery naturally for the next year and then retest. If no improvement, I will start statins.

My problem is, I am struggling to follow it to the letter and particularly missing a lot of the foods I used to eat which were high flavour but also high oil/salt etc. So I am thinking of creating an app where you can paste any recipe into the app and it will spit out an Esselstyn reversal plan-compliant recipe. Does anyone think there would be a need for an app like this? Would it help people? I've already built a prototype and it's given me some wonderful recipes so I'm feeling pretty excited about it (even just to help me if no-one else wants it)

Would be super interested to know anyones' thoughts?

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I am at a loss because normally I have flare up days with my digestive tract. I have chronic illness that seems to be in the field with bile acid malabsorption.

However, I’m wondering if this is something else.

In the last two weeks, I’ve had three different days where out of nowhere I’ll have severe nausea, high heart rate, clammy hands, just overall not having a good time and it’ll last hours.

Today I’m at work and an hour into shift (I’m still here) same thing - out of nowhere SEVERE nausea, clammy hands, high heart rate. I was shivering but then hot at the same time. I had a little bit of pain in the upper left back. Also all three times the upper stomach right under the sternum as just tight.

Are these also symptoms worth looking into that may not be a stomach flare? I have a phobia of throwing up haha of course but I’m just a little stressed and the hospital just I’m not so sure. No pain in arms or anything either and no chest pain.

I have been reading about heart attacks and noticed that many people say their symptoms weren't what they expected. Some mentioned chest pain, while others experienced fatigue, jaw pain, nausea, or shortness of breath. If you've had a heart attack or witnessed someone having one, what were the very first warning signs? Looking back, was there anything you ignored because it didn't seem serious? I'm hoping to learn from real experiences since they often provide more insight than general medical articles. I'd really appreciate hearing your story.

I just see these stories. I had a Widowmaker and no CPR they are home in 2 days with a stent a few drugs and everything is fine.

My HA happened almost 4 years ago . 7-7-22. A little after midnight. Spent a month in hospital. Woke up in pain from hell 4 days later with a very effeminate male nurse(I just remember him that is all) telling me I was alive, while a tube was being pulled out of my throat. I asked the doctor standing there how many ribs were broken from CPR. He said all of them on the left side, including the sternum, pneumothorax( punctured lung, severally bruised heart. All from cpr. Spent a month in hospital because 2 days after discharge ( with no pain meds oops.) double pneumonia lungs like 73% filled with liquid. They asked if things went south, did I want CPR. Never again. So now if I get gas I'm headed to the ER. I do have a DNR now. They are still diagnosing me with shit from that. Aphasia is the newest. And it fits. and it sucks. The broken ribs healed poorly because of being dropped in heart cath lab( told them Versed didn't knock me out in small doses) yeah they nuked my ass with good stuff then, and rebroken being moved from one bed to another up in ICU moving me. Heck mine wasn't even a widowmaker. I died in the ambulance once and twice in the ER.

Hello. Obviously I should take the advice over my primary care doctor above all else, but I just want opinions.

I started a new job earlier this year. Its been very stressful. I started getting pain in my left arm frequently, drinking caffeine SEEMED to make it worse. I remember getting a similar feeling when I used to smoke a lot of weed, but it was a little worse now. Got a somewhat tight feeling in my chest whenever I would drink caffeine too. However, physical exertion did not seem to bother me much. I walk up lots of stairs, lift heavy things, and spend the whole day moving at my job for the most part and I never felt winded or out of breath.

May rolls around, and I go to the zoo with my girlfriend. I drink a large caffeinated drink. I end up getting really nauseous and felt really sick. My heart felt like it was racing super fast, and I felt like I needed to lie down. Felt a bit like passing out at the worst of it. My girlfriend calls EMS and they show up with the defib and hook me up. Everything is normal, except my BP is much higher than usual. It was sitting at 140 over something when Im usually at or below 120. I know thats not very high, but thats the highest Ive seen on it myself. Everything is normal on the EKG reading. They tell me I need to go to the hospital and get blood work done to confirm if it was something cardiac related or not. I dont go because its my birthday and I dont want to ruin my day. About 30 minutes later I feel fine and enjoy the rest of my day.

I get similar symptoms about a month later but this time I didnt drink any caffeine. I had a really stressful work weed, and maybe this happened just because I put the idea of a heart attack in my head, but I start feeling really shitty again, and my left arm is really hurting. I go to urgent care. They do the full run down on me. Everything looks perfect. Nothing is abnormal, and they tell me to see a cardiologist to completely rule anything about, but I am probably fine.

My left arm continues to hurt, and now the pain starts to occur in my shoulder and jaw. This obviously has been freaking me the hell out. I have my annual with my primary care doctor, and he is convinced it has nothing to do with my heart. He tells me I am having acid reflux from my stressful job, and that the pain is coming from my neck and or my spine. I ask if I can see a cardiologist to rule anything out, because my mom was just diagnosed with carotid stenosis at 62, and he basically just tells me no. Hell refer me to a physical therapist and give me something for the acid. I try to be okay with this.

Yesterday after work, my arm and jaw start to hurt BAD. The jaw pain in particular was very bad, and it still hurts a lot even now. I call the hospital and ask what they think I should do, and they tell me to come in just in case. They do the full rundown once again. Everything is "perfect", and I am told once again that its probably not heart related, but to see a cardiologist to be sure.

Am I just being crazy? I read stories on here and it scares the shit out of me. I know that is defintely a factor. I also have a history of really bad back pain, so it would not be surprising if its effecting other parts of my body now too. I should note that the tightness in my chest has not been present since I quit caffeine. I want to see a cardiologist, but I have to convince my primary doctor to refer me or my insurance will not cover it. I have called back since and asked but he is taking his time and might not even refer me. What do you guys think?

Am I the only one out there. Survived total LMCA occlusion/VF in cath lab. That's the "widowmaker's" bigger meaner cousin. Physically 100%, emotionally wrecked. Looking for anyone else who survived a catastrophic MI with zero physical damage. Everyone else hates me.

Hi. I've recently moved to the usa and still in the process of getting my health insurance. I am a physician resident and work in a hospital in pennsylvania. From 2 days now I have severe sharp almost constant stabbing pain in my left arm that changes points/positions. It would sometimes be in the palm right in the middle. Sometimes in the arm where the deltoid muscle is. Its pretty severe. It went away when I was sleeping and came back after sometime of waking up. For context I'm a 38/F. No other symptoms other than pain. Before moving to usa I had an extensive heart work up including stress test ct angiogram all came back normal roughly a month ago. Now being a doctor myself Im in a spiral as if I go by books it needs to be seen to rule out any heart issue. But then the nature of pain appears to be more musculoskeletal thsn cardiac. I don't know what to do from this poiny on. Any suggestions would he appreciates.

Thanks.

starting yesterday I had sharp pain under my left shoulder blade for about an hour or so and today it started up again but for a longer time and hurting a bit more. I do have health anxiety so I think about these things a lot and combining these symptoms with shortness of breath im really worried and wondering if I should go to the ER just in case