Thread by @perfectrose2011

@BamaSaltyMarine I worked as a Critical Care RN with many shifts in a Coronary Care Acute unit, in ER & an Open Heart Post Op ICU.
1) Denial is a symptom of a heart attack. People try to blame it on indigestion, gall bladder, fatigue. It's usually not if left/central crushing chest pain.
1/2

@BamaSaltyMarine 2) Pain is only a symptom when there is over 90% blockage of a coronary artery.
3) Cholesterol build-up in arteries forms and becomes solid preventing the artery from expanding when needed with exertion and more oxygen is needed for the heart muscle and the body. Arteries 2/3

@BamaSaltyMarine can expand up to 10% of the original diameter. Smoking actually causes contraction of the arteries.
4) The blood of cholesterol built up arteries is through pin holes, not the middle part and thus if those pin holes close totally, this is why even with a cardiac arrest from 3/4

@BamaSaltyMarine the closure of these pin holes and thus no oxygen to the heart muscle, it means no CPR can work as the heart muscles need oxygen to work. Hence the 'widow maker' heart attack happens. So now you understand this, better get to an ER now and not wait for a Cardiologist appt. 4/5

@BamaSaltyMarine Also, do not exert yourself in any way till you are checked out as if you increase your heart rate, oxygen needs increase and then you will probably have pain again. Do not drink alcohol at all as it may dull perceiving chest pain. No smoking and no lifting anything as both 5/6

@BamaSaltyMarine increase your heart rate.
Hope all that makes sense and I explained this well enough for you to take this chest pain very, very seriously.

@threadreaderapp Requesting an unroll please for this thread. Thank you.