Chest Pains

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

4:00 AM: Got up, let the dogs out, warmed up a cup of coffee, had a smoke. Laid back down for another 30 winks.

4:30 AM: "Gee, my chest is feeling kind of tight. It's starting to really hurt"

4:45 AM: Basia called 911, unlocked the front door, wrestled the dogs into the bedroom.

4:48 AM: Paramedics arrived, ambulance arrived, took ECG, sprayed nitroglycerine under my tongue (3 times at 4 minute intervals), that relieved most of the chest pain, ambulance takes me to nearest hospital with emergency room.

5:00 AM: Arrived at Emergency Room. Took ECGs, took blood, gave me an aspirin, more medication, took X-rays, took more blood. At this point they are checking for cardiac enzymes which would be present if there is any damage to the heart muscle.

7:00 AM: Admitted to hospital. More blood, more ECGs, more X-rays, more medication.

10:00 PM: The doctor assigned to my case arrives. He tells me no cardiac enzymes have been detected at this point.

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

10:00 AM: Transferred to hospital associated with my "primary care physician". More blood, more ECGs, more X-rays, more medication.

Thursday, August 12, 2004

11:00 AM: Stress test with Echocardiogram (passed).

1:00 PM: Discharged. Sent home.

Monday, August 16, 2004

Went back to see cardiologist.
Cardiologist says: "Why are you here? There's nothing wrong with your heart. Maybe it was esophogeal cramps.
We says: "But the nitroglycerine stopped the pain, doesn't nitroglycerine only work on the heart?"
Cardiologist says: "Nitroglycerine also works on any smooth muscle, like the esophagus. Go see your primary care physician, I only do hearts."

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Went to see primary care physician.
Got a prescription for nitroglycerine (just in case).
Got "OK to return to work" slip.

Wednesday, August 18, 2004

6:00 AM: Return to work


update: more chest pains