Skip to main content

David

Angina

A shock diagnosis but lucky save

Chest pain led him to the doctor, but for public health worker David, what happened next was a complete jolt. This is his story in his words.

At 57, I did not consider myself a heart attack risk. True, I had been warned about too high cholesterol but I had modified my diet appropriately. Swimming 30 lengths at least once a week kept me fit plus I had recently managed a 10-kilometre uphill trek to the Rob Roy Glacier.

When I got a new job in a new city I bought a bicycle to get there.

"I think I’ve pulled a muscle," I complained to my doctor who was examining me for chest pain. “Hmmm” he said and promptly wrote a script for an angina puffer.

"I’m referring you for a heart check-up, in the meantime take it easy," he said, even after finding there was no history of family heart problems.

Over the next months the bicycle rusted and I did use the puffer a few times after a brisk walk.

An ECG was done but a consultation with a cardio specialist did not go well when I was told off for not taking daily aspirin along with the statin prescribed (it upsets my stomach was my defence).

After five months, a test on a treadmill while hooked up to an ECG was offered. After only two minutes I was pleased to hear “you can hop off now” – surely a sign there was nothing wrong with me!

"Balancing on a narrow board with ridiculously long tubes inserted into me, I was not prepared for the next shock."

"We’ve asked you to stop because there was indication of a major heart problem," they said. The words brought me down to earth in a hurry.

An appointment was made for an angiogram procedure – being done I was assured, to locate where a stent may be needed to keep my clogged arteries open. Balancing on a narrow board with ridiculously long tubes inserted into me, I was NOT prepared for the next shock.

"We are sending you to Wellington for open heart surgery, probably within days..."

That meant I did not have time to worry, or even research what was going to happen to me. With three blockages of 100%, 90% and 75% I also did not have time to reflect on how lucky I was not to have suffered a heart attack.

Less than a week later I was operated on – Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (pronounced ‘cabbage’) with as many as 10 theatre staff assisting. What an audience!

Unfortunately, I proved to be a less than model patient. With both collapsed lung and pneumonia added to the pain, it felt akin to being hit by a bus. The hospital staff were amazing though and three days later I was able to have all the high-tech monitoring equipment disconnected and two days after that told I could go home.

Leaving a warm ward with around-the-clock care, unlimited pain killers was a wrench; it is no wonder the coronary care staff are often referred to as “angels”.

Discomfort probably sums up the next few weeks, but a welcome return to work meant everything was back to normal.

Now six years on, a large scar on my chest and a couple of foot-long ones on an arm and leg are reminders of a lucky escape.

I can do anything I like – tramping, snorkeling and cycling, but still battle to limit the cholesterol. I don’t ever give the heart a second thought if exercising, especially as being out of breath is expected for someone sitting at a desk all day.

My work is all about healthy living and I’m as passionate as ever about that – I once ran a competition with all my male colleagues to see who was most aware of their health.

I actually work more hours now than I used to before my heart attack, but it’s not strenuous – seems I spend most of my time fixing people’s computer mistakes, so no stress there! 

 

Shared September 2016

Please note: the views and opinions of the storyteller and related comments may not necessarily reflect those of the Heart Foundation NZ.

Find similar stories

View all stories

1 Comment

  • hiydivarti@enayu.com 14 April 2021

    you are such a strong person i must say!! and always remember that through every difficulty there is a ease :)

Leave a comment.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Comment rules

Journeys is a safe place for people to comment on each other’s stories. Please note that all comments are moderated by the Heart Foundation NZ and any comments deemed inappropriate will not be published.

When commenting, please be mindful and ensure that you:

  • Are honest, supportive and respectful, particularly of others opinions and are non-threatening
  • Do not violate any laws
  • Do not collect personal information from the storyteller
  • Do not use profanity
  • Do not spam eg solicitation of any description
  • Do not make statements that are racist, abusive, threatening, defamatory or otherwise objectionable

Please Note: The information contained in any of the stories is not meant as medical advice. Be sure to do your own research and talk to your healthcare professionals before acting on anything you read.