💙 You Know Your Body Best

Physically, I was not your stereotypical heart disease candidate.  I was (am) active, fit and don’t have any bad health habits that are considered risks. I don’t eat a lot of junk food, I exercise pretty regularly, non smoker and not overweight.  Ok, my BMI is a minuscule higher (.5) than the national recommendation, but this should not constitute heart disease, or you would think… 

Late 2020, I started to have some pains in my chest, pains that would require me to sit quiet for a few minutes until they passed, which they usually did.  I was convinced it was acid reflux. 

In December of 2020, One notable “episode” occurred while I was out of the country.  I really believed it was something I ate or drank; I was in Mexico after all.  Rationalizing that, I began a regime of Prilosec and didn’t eat anything questionable or drink anything more than water and tea for the rest of the vacation. Not an easy feat, at an All-Inclusive resort, I will add. But I made the decision to schedule a wellness check as soon as we returned to the states. I continued with Prilosec which I believed helped me even though there was no rhyme or reason to what would set the “episodes” off. 

On February 8th, 2021, I made it to my (then) GP or PA (whatever she was) I explained my concerns only to have her dismiss my concerns as being heart related.  She denied my request for further testing (citing insurance company’s disapproval of said testing’s).  Sent me home to continue my regime of Prilosec. But not before trying to sell me a weight loss program she and her husband were on.  Even though at that time my BMI was slightly higher than .5 over what it is now, I was FAR from obese.   I felt it inappropriate for her to try and sell me a MLM diet program in her position.  I declined her “offer” and left there feeling she was the “professional” and certainly had my best interests in mind.  But I had a sour taste in my mouth for her MLM push and a nagging suspicion there was indeed more to my “episodes” 

I continued my regime of Prilosec and would continue to monitor what might set the episodes off.  

About 6 weeks later, an “episode” became undeniably more than acid reflux. The pains crippled me through the weekend. I waited until Monday morning, I contacted the Dr.’s office (yes the same one who had poo-pooed me weeks earlier).  Thankfully, I never made it directly to her.  After explaining my symptoms to the receptionist, which BTW now included my left arm, neck and head, I was immediately transferred to a Triage nurse.

After explaining what I was feeling she  calmly told me to get a ride to the ER immediately. My most distinct memory of that day was when a Dr entered the room to tell me I was having a heart attack.  She told me that they were going to go into my veins with a camera and dye and see if they can find and fix the apparent blockage.  However, I “must be aware that if they cannot find or access said blockage through the catheter, it would be immediate open-heart surgery… sign here for consent”.  A very scary and sobering statement to say the least.  Lots of prayers were said. 

Fortunately, my prayers were answered, they were able to find the blockage and insert stents into the two arteries that were blocked at 80-85% of the way.  

While recouping and rehabilitating, feeling pretty good I might add, I underwent a series of “follow up” appointments. One of these follow ups included a third-party interventionist who was hired through my Insurance Company to evaluate my medical needs and medication.  It was this complete stranger who took one look at my blood work and saw something very wrong.  She herself contacted my (now new) GP, pointed out what she saw and encouraged her to order further testing of the “very troubling” blood test results. 

Through further testing a blood disorder considered a gene mutation was discovered.  Hence the reason behind the heart attack, and former stroke (another story of my concerns being dismissed by prior NP) one year before the heart talk. That’s just another story in itself. 

Fast forward to current day – 2024; in addition to regular heart healthy regimes, I am on a lifelong medication to keep the blood disorder in check. Both regimes are designed to avoid further heart attacks and strokes. 

I’m very thankful for the third-party interventionist and my unwavering feeling that something wasn’t right. 

Bottom line, Advocate and Educate yourself the best you can.  (Avoid googling everything though).  I should have pushed harder and understood blood work readings better. You truly know your body best. 

I’m truly living a full, happy and healthy life. 

I wear my Silent Triumph Heart pin with great pride.  ❤️☺️

Diane S - Illinois