Has anyone been told they had a heart attack and didn't know it? - ThinnerTimes

jefrach · 03-06-2007, 09:29 AM

I just got my results from the echo I had to have for my heart, they said that I have damage from a previous heart attack! Granted, they said I shouldn't worry because the other problems they see in my heart should correct themselves after GBS, but I am still so shocked (and scared) that I had a heart attack and didn't even know it!!!

Anyone else experience this?

-Rachel

Zenomia · 03-06-2007, 10:36 AM

I haven't experienced this personally, but I understand your concern. Basically what they are seeing is that some of your heart tissues have been replaced with 'scar' tissue. Meaning that at some point and time in your life, you suffered some damage to the tissues in your heart. It doesn't necessarily mean that you had a full blown heart attack, as you know the word. It only means that there is evidence that damage has been done to the tissues in your heart. The extent of the damage and so forth would determine your eligability for the surgery. Having damage to the heart tissues is more common than you think, please don't let it bother you too much. But do know, it's good that you are taking steps to ensure your Future health!! Minor damage or not...the heart is nothing to fool around with!!

mauldinmama · 03-06-2007, 11:08 AM

In January of 2002 I had a real heart attack and after they ran test etc they said my heart showed previous damage. I had been working 70+ hours for a year and the day after Christmas I took my daughter to Gatlinburg (sp) Tenn for a few days. I just remember being so so tired. I chalked it up to working my a-- off. The Monday after we got home I had to be at work and I just couldn't get up....my son stayed home with me and called my husband to come home. I sleep the whole day, (that is the day that stands out in my mind of when it happened.)

It is so great that you are under a doctors care now...I wouldn't worry. My doctor told me once I get the weight off of my stomach ( I am the poster child for an apple shape body) that my health will improve greatly.

Take good care of yourself and follow doc's orders. Don't worry.
Please keep us posted and let me know if I can help.

MiladyB · 03-06-2007, 11:21 AM

Rachel, Zen gave you an excellent discription of what is going on.

Yes, people can have what those of us in the medical field refer to as a "Silent MI". Like Zen said, it happens more often than many know. It just means that they saw indications of some kind of heart damage. If it was major damage believe me you would have known about it! Please don't worry too much. It obviously appears your physicians aren't overly concerned, it is just something to be aware of and to take steps to help prevent a heart attack that is more serious. And, my dear, that is exactly what you are doing in persuing this surgery.

justawoman · 03-07-2007, 03:41 PM

I haven't had what you previously described but my father did. He didn't realize he had a "heart attack". He told me that he was just tired, couldn't eat well all week, grant it my father was a very sickly man with diabetes and kidney failure. When I took him to the hospital they said he had probably suffered a minor heart attack that week and immediately admitted him into the hospital. He stayed for 2 weeks where they determined he was full of fluid, they tried there best to get the fluids out of his lungs and chest area. They sent him home and after one day he died from a severe heart attack.

Please be careful and take care of yourself!