My Diabetes Blog

Ok, so it's monday morning, things going as normal, driving to work, wondering what the day will bring, and i start feeling a little tight across the chest.

Didnt give this too much thought, arrived at work, and a few minutes later the pain was a little worse so i phoned my GP's practice to arrange an appointment, i was asked the normal question "is later in the week ok or is it urgent".  I responded with i wished to see a doctor today as i had pains in the chest.  at which point the phone was passed to a nurse.

I was asked a few questions, and then was told "i think the best thing to do is call and ambulance"..   i said "no im sure its not that bad, i can come to the surgery and discuss the problem"..  the nurse said"if you are really sure, then come in and we will stick you on the ECG monitor"

Anyway, i got to the doctors, they stuck me on the ECG, took the printout to the doctor, the doctor called me in he said "The readings are not quite right" he pointed to part of the sqiggly line and explained that the shape would normally indicate pericarditis or it could be a heart attack, but that due to my history of diabetes and high blood pressure they would assume id just had a heart attack.

The next thing i know im laid flat, sprays under the tounge, oxygen mask, doctors and nurses surounding me.

10 minutes later the ambulance arrives and whisks me away.

upon arrival at the hospital i was taken to intensive care, wired up, pills, morphine and lots of questions. an hour or so later they advised me i was to be moved to the CCU (coronry care unit) what i would still be treated for a hear attack.

upon moving to the CCU i was ask more and more questions by more and more people, more drugs more poking and proding.

Eventually a doctor comes across to advise that they were not 100% sure that i had a heart attack, but needed to be treated as though i had, and the way they can tell if i have had a heart attack is to do a blood test 12 hours after first pain, if there is mussle damage then there would be Troponin in the sample and if there is i have had a heart attck, if not then i have not, but more test would be needed to find the cause of the pain.

Anyway time went by, blood sample taken and fortunatly there was no Troponin, so ive not had a heart attack, they have however stated that the pain was from the heart, and i will need more tests (echo stress test) to find the cause.

Anyway that was a 48 hour holiday i did not expect!