Heart Attack Survivor Speaks Out, LUFKIN, February 16, 2010 - Keeping people mobile and their engines running has long been the ambition of Al Meyer. But in August 2007, he was faced with his own form of decreased mobility and engine blockage. At that moment he didn't look to his automobile dealership for repair but to a local hospital. With coronary heart disease the number one cause of death in the United States, we recognize February as the American Heart Association's designated Heart Month. Meyer and Memorial Health System of East Texas want to educate the community on the importance of knowing the warning signs of a heart attack and what to do when you notice the symptoms.
Meyer had just returned from visiting Louisiana and enjoying meals filled with spicy Cajun seafood, when he noticed his stomach felt a little uneasy. While visiting his physician, it was discovered he had high blood pressure and needed to begin taking medication. Thinking everything was fine, a week later Meyer began to feel nauseated, sweaty and weak with an unusual feeling. Instead of calling 9-1-1 as recommended, Meyer waited twenty-five minutes for his wife to pick him up from his office and take him to see a doctor.
As they traveled to the doctor's office, Meyer's wife had to pull off the road several times because Meyer felt as though he would be sick. Immediately recognizing his symptoms, the nurse wheeled him into Memorial's emergency department. Seemingly instantaneous, the emergency room physician took his vital signs, administered a nitroglycerin tablet and ordered an EKG. The results were automatically transmitted to the cardiologist.
In no time at all, Meyer was in the catheterization lab. Physicians found 99% blockage in the main artery located in the back of the heart. A stent was inserted allowing the blood flow to return to normal.
"It never crossed my mind I was having a heart attack. Heart attacks happen to other people. I did not experience the symptoms of chest pain or left arm pain that you hear about," stated Meyer.
According to the American Heart Association, some heart attacks are sudden and intense. However, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
• Chest discomfort - Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body - Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
As with Meyer, not all these signs occur in every heart attack. Sometimes the symptoms go away and return. Know the signs and call your physician or 9-1-1 within the first five minutes of experiencing any of these symptoms. For the fastest lifesaving treatment, emergency medical services (EMS) staff, dispatched by 9-1-1, is trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Fortunately for Meyer, his arrival by personal vehicle was in time to get the help he needed.
"The physicians and staff at Memorial worked so quickly and took care of the problem that my heart has no permanent damage," said Meyer. "I appreciate all the medical staff at Memorial who took care of me immediately. Miraculously, I was back sitting at my office desk within 48 hours."
The heart attack made lasting impressions and changes in Meyer's life. As a result, Meyer stopped smoking and is more aware of his diet. He now is a firm believer in receiving annual check-ups.
Meyer adds, "Looking back, my advice is to know the warning signs, stop smoking, have annual check-ups and ask your doctor about cardiac calcium scoring as a preventative tool. As a survivor, it's good to know we can seek treatment for heart disease and have procedures performed right here in Lufkin."
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