Arm, chest, neck, and back pain, discomfort or an uncomfortable feeling are all symptoms of a heart attack. As is an overwhelming feeling of impending doom. That last symptom is to bizarre, as the 2nd anniversary of my first symptoms is fast approaching.
I was racing at the time and had finished my solo efforts and was caught by the group. Once dropped from the main group, it was just another routine training ride for me. However, I can’t help but remember how vivid the calling was for me to consider getting off the bike and getting into the support vehicle. I can’t help but remember my questioning whether I’d be able to make it to the finish line with only 12 miles to go. After all, it was just a 26 mile training ride by myself to return.
When I got back to the car, I was slightly weak and just a bit perplexed as to why I was feeling so lousy. I ate something and had a drink only to get that upset stomach feeling. You know the kind which is similar to, “heart burn.” Turns out, that burn was not a burn at all. It was a neurological response and the pain was coming from the Apex of my heart where my LAD (Left Anterior Descending) coronary artery was 90% blocked or more.
Once the pain in my stomach as I called it started, I had a friend drive me home. At that time, I did the usual post-race clean up and layed down after researching heat stroke and exhaustion on the internet. So it wasn’t that I completely ignored the symptoms or warning signs, my wife and I mis-self-diagnosed the problem.
The arm pain or burning sensation between my elbow and armpit in both arms, was not the old symptom we were always told to look out for in 8th grade health class. Nor was the pain in my chest, the lower thorax, not the upper chest region.
In any event, I’m lucky to be here writing about the warning signs and urge you to familiarize yourself with them.
