Susan’s Unexpected Heart Attack

A month ago, I had a heart attack. I was turning 60 three weeks later. I woke up with what I thought was indigestion but quickly turned to chest tightness. My jaw, neck, and shoulders became tight. Then I experienced a tingling down my arms and I had a pale sweaty face. Something immediately came over me. I chewed an aspirin that I happened to have, and a calm voice inside said, “You are having a heart attack and you need to get to the hospital.”

As soon as the healthcare team did an EKG, they determined I needed a stent to be put in. I had a 100% blockage. I never thought I would die, but my instincts saved me. I had another stent put in two days later.

As I process this, I am overwhelmed because I have been so aware of the heart disease on my dad’s side of the family. I don’t have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, I exercise and eat heart healthy, and I get all of my checkups. Yes, I do carry some stress, but never did I think this would happen to me. But it did and I acted upon it immediately, which saved my life.