There have been several PP lurkers, and a few board members who've come through the ER in the last 4 months with serious cardiac symptoms...that they've ignored. Some of it was pure denial, but some of it was due to gaps in knowledge. Just a short post to help fill in those knowledge gaps for those of you at risk for a heart attack.

Time is critical. The clogged artery feeding your heart muscle needs to be reopened or everything downstream of it will die and turn to scar tissue. Cardiac cath lab, where the angioplasty is done, is always on call and ready to be at the hospital in minutes. If you think your having a heart attack call 911. If your in Forks don't drive yourself back to Olympia or Seattle. Seek the nearest medical attention. We get flights in from Forks, Neah Bay, and other OP places for cath lab.

Ok, just some of the symptoms that need evaluation by an MD. By an MD, and not your chiropracter, not the neighbor who was once a CNA, not the guy pumping gas for you in Astoria, not the nice lady in the coffee shop. Do you know how doctors diagnose heart attacks by phone? They don't, you need an EKG at the very least. I've seen about one heart attack a year come in after the guy was told by his chiropracter he was ok, just needed another adjustment.

Any single of these symptoms all by itself should probably be evaluated. You can have a heart attack and not have a single one of them. But usually your heart gives you some sign that bad shiat is happening.

Chest pain, either left sided, central, or even right sided. Pain between the shoulder blades. Pain radiating up the jaw, especially the left side. Persistant "gas pains". Sudden shortness of breath. Sudden fatigue, accompanied by shortness of breath. Nausea, vomiting and getting sweaty suddenly (consider the context, a 55 year old male hiking along a river shouldn't suddenly go pale, start sweating and throwing up. A guy chugging tequila, well he might be expected to have some of the above.) Feeling 'lightheaded', or passing out (when your sober). Sudden loss of consciousness is a serious symptom. Any of these symptoms that occur during exertion like rowing, and quit when you rest, should definitely be evaluated. Don't wait, your plumbing may be on the verge of totally getting clogged.

If you have questions call your doctors office and ask their advice. Generally if you have any of the above symptoms they'll ask you to call 911.

My goal is not to babysit, or coddle anybody. My goal is to prevent a guy from losing 15 years of fishing because he waited too long. Its to prevent another guy who was active, from needing to carry around an oxygen tank and a walker.

Even if it wasn't against the law, I still wouldn't mention any names. But you guys are welcome to chime in if you have an experience you'd like to share.

Hope this helps. Yes it is preachy, but I think it's important info.

VHawk