Survived the "widowmaker"

rlpomeroy
rlpomeroy Posts: 726 Member
in Success Stories
I was riding in Missouri this weekend (from Minnesota) and ended up in the ER with chest and back pain. Turns out that I had apparently had a heart attack some time in the previous 24 hours. They put 2 stents in my heart. How is this a victory? In the past 6 months, I have lost 40 pounds and been walking 3-7 miles a day. The Drs told me that it may be that is why I was able to survive the type of heart attack that is commonly called a "widowmaker". 3 days after the procedure and I am felling better than I have in a long time!

Replies

  • A_New_Creation
    A_New_Creation Posts: 180 Member
    That is amazing my friend. Happy to hear you made it through and great work on the weight loss.
  • jamesha100
    jamesha100 Posts: 214 Member
    That's an inspiring story. Best wishes your future journey towards a healthy future.
  • AKTipsyCat
    AKTipsyCat Posts: 240 Member
    Great work! Glad you're still around!
  • MikePfirrman
    MikePfirrman Posts: 3,307 Member
    edited June 2021
    Good for you. And they likely weren't exaggerating.

    Dick Hoyt, the famous triathlete from Boston, that famously carried his son, Rick, around with him on the Boston Marathon and went on to be a legendary triathlete/Ironman (he just died recently) had that happen to him during a race. Docs said the same thing to him -- if he wasn't in such great shape, he would have died.

    I'm glad you're feeling better. I hope your road to full recovery goes well!
  • MissMackOnTrack21
    MissMackOnTrack21 Posts: 54 Member
    Amazing story. I’m so happy to read your ok and feeling well. Congratulations on losing 40 pounds. It sounds like it saved your life!
  • landa143
    landa143 Posts: 1 Member
    That is fantastic! ask them to see your EKG, its really interesting because in many cases it looks like a grim reaper dissolving into a grave (I'm not kidding), I'm thrilled you survived, my brother in law was not so lucky. Stay after it! get into cardiac rehab and stay strong and fit! :)
  • suzij27
    suzij27 Posts: 199 Member
    What an awesome story. Keep taking care of yourself.
  • rlpomeroy
    rlpomeroy Posts: 726 Member
    EF was at 35% right before I was released. They are hoping I can get back to approximately 50%. The estimate is that I was at 25% when I got there. The LAD was 100% blocked. My heart had actually started to create another passage.
  • pabmac
    pabmac Posts: 53 Member
    Wow, I’m so happy to hear you’re still here with us. I’m glad you were fit enough to survive. That sounds very scary!
  • Fancygirl76
    Fancygirl76 Posts: 14 Member
    Oh my. How scary. What an inspiration you will be to so many. Glad it wasn't your time yet!
  • YellowD0gs
    YellowD0gs Posts: 693 Member
    Welcome to the club! Great to be alive, isn't it? Just curious, with an EF of 35, did they give you a Zoll? Hope not...I hated the Zoll.
  • rlpomeroy
    rlpomeroy Posts: 726 Member
    I don't know what a Zoll is. They put me on a couple of prescriptions, but didn't give me anything else. Since I was away from home, I will have to find a cardiologist to follow up with.
  • Henryhufflepuff
    Henryhufflepuff Posts: 9 Member
    Wow, well done on your weight loss and your recovery, so pleased you are still here! Your post is something that I will take with me, and remember when I feel like slipping. I have just joined today, morbidly obese and needing to turn my life around. All this time I've been housebound, terrified that Covid would finish me. It never occurred to me that I could have a heart attack. Thank you for posting this x
  • Onedaywriter
    Onedaywriter Posts: 326 Member
    Wow- thanks. Sometimes I need a kick in the rear to get me moving and this was it for today!
  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,189 Member
    rlpomeroy wrote: »
    I don't know what a Zoll is. They put me on a couple of prescriptions, but didn't give me anything else. Since I was away from home, I will have to find a cardiologist to follow up with.

    I think that a Zoll is vest defibrillator. It would probably jolt you if you have another heart attack attack and put your heart back in sinus rhythms. But I don't know or think that it would be as precise as an actual defibrillator implanted in your chest cavity.

    I think that is a good idea to seek a good cardiologist and f/up further treatment, options, and care. You kneed to increase the ejection fraction. Glad that you are now doing well.
  • walkintofit
    walkintofit Posts: 4,622 Member
    Happy that you stopped by to let people know how u are doing after such a medical emergency. Keep up the good work! the song "Staying Alive" is running through my head!
  • mjglantz
    mjglantz Posts: 508 Member
    Good for you! Not the heart attack but getting healthier so this wasn't a deal breaker. Keep up the good work and if you are offered cardiac rehab, definitely do it. It works!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    Wonder if the OP is still around since this was 3 years ago.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 40 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • rlpomeroy
    rlpomeroy Posts: 726 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    Wonder if the OP is still around since this was 3 years ago.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 40 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png

    I am the original poster. Posting a follow up.

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