February 3, 2014
On Friday, January 10 I was at my cabin in Ladysmith, WI. I was having some chest discomfort and thought it was heart burn. My husband has had a couple of heart attacks and knowing that heart burn is not always heart burn I took both an over the counter medication for heartburn and aspirin. The pain did not decrease but started to also go into my left arm. I took my blood pressure and it was 190/100. I ended up in the ER where they monitored my enzyme levels. When the enzyme levels continued to elevate they transferred me to Eau Claire to a hospital with a heart cath lab. When they went in they thought they would be placing a stent but found the dissection. I am now on a blood thinner, aspirin, beta blocker, potassium, magnesium and carry nitro. I was not taking any medications prior to this event. I am a 60 year old female. I was told after the cath that my arteries are “pristine” & my cholesterol is excellent. It s very scary to wonder if this can or will happen again. Since there are no recommended treatments, is there anything I can do to reduce the likely hood that this will happen again? What are the chances of this happening to others in my family? Lots of questions and no answers.