When I drove someone several months back, she had a wheelchair that I loaded and unloaded 4 times over a few days. A short while after, I had chest pains - so much so I went to see a cardiologist. I had tests and there was a small blockage in one artery. This old German doctor (of the old school) told me (a woman) that we would wait and see. My question - wait and see what???? If I died - no preventive meds?
Well, as it happened I am getting short of breath when I walk the dog, etc. and yesterday I lifted a friend's walker to place in my car and then took it out when we got home. Today, walking my dog, I had a slight pain in the general upper left side of my chest.
Is this angina or indicative of a possible heart attack? I wish I could ask someone knowledgeable (not from the old school where the doctor pats the woman's hand and ignores it.)
I am due to see the cardiologist again, I believe. My insurance, I think, has approved it. I wonder if I can change to a different one. I need to look this up.
My medical history is one of high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke - not heart attack. However, my paternal grandmother had a heat attack when she was younger, and I believe my maternal grandfather had one, too. These did not kill them.
Now that I am 72 - older than they were when they died - I need to do some research and a lot of prevention. I have a dog to raise and I am not ready to go just yet.