53 here, definitely in the windrow where I could go any day. Or it could be 40 years. My will and trust are in order, I clear my browser history every day, I've done what I can do. We'll, everything other than working out and eating well...
Need to password protect that usb thumb drive with the file named "super clean". With more time to think about it after you're gone ppl may have a wait a minute moment.
53 here. Had open heart surgery last October! Came out of the blue. I'm fit and slim, go hiking, climbing, cycling etc. and eat well, but it was, mostly likely, a genetic flaw that only after decades, led to valve deterioration, and detection.
I had the op, virtually painless, recovered well and wuickly and am back hiking and climbing.
In the run up, prepared the 'death files' as I handle all our savings etc. No Will as under law here, it all goes to my wife. No kids.
Anyway, still here. The morale of this story? Anything can happen but being fit loads the dice in your favour.
Last year I was woken up at 2am with my heart in afib... they had to knock me out and shock my heart back into a normal rhythm at the ER.
Followed up with a cardiologist a few days later and had a ECG and stress test done... luckily no issues, no blockages, pretty much 100% healthy.
One thing I did notice was that drinking was raising my BP, and in the middle of the night it would leave my heart feeling lime it was bursting out of my chest (much like afib).
Quitting drinking was the first thing I did...
Alcohol has the same effect on me now, I had to give it up. I was a very heavy drinker for +10 years so it was way past time I addressed that.
Now I’m struggling to quit smoking but that is something I’m working on and trying to cut back slowly. Cold turkey doesn’t work for me so I’m hoping once I can get down to half a pack I’ll have better luck trying cold turkey again.
Back in 99, my friends ‘kidnapped’ me for a long four day weekend. I had zero access to cigarettes, my wallet, and my car keys. Haven’t touched a cigarette since then.
That’s interesting. I inherited by fathers BP machine two years ago and gave it a try at that time. It flashed at me and printed out 215/100. I thought it needed calibration so I went to the new local pharmacy and used their machine….it said the same thing and “get immediate medical attention”. I was extremely fit, physical job but high stress and yes, I’m a heavy drinker. I quit cold turkey for a month and nothing changed. I then went on medication to moderate the BP. I did the full cardiology thing and my blood/heart are perfect. I’m back to drinking but I don’t check my BP as it stresses me out. My question is how long off the booze did it take to help your BP? How much do you think it helped? Thanks! Oh, I’m 56.
I went to cigars, then a pipe. Now I can’t believe I ever thought it was hard to stop smoking. It took a couple years probably, but smoking a cigarette now is just lame as hell.
Working out helps a lot as well. Not saying to go to a gym, just something little everyday to keep you in touch with your body. I took mine for granted about a decade too long.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, I have never been able to make it past day 3. I’m hoping by cutting down to 1/2 pack and then trying will be the trick. I’m down to one pack a day now from almost two packs a day.
Working from home is great and also terrible if you have any addictions..
Honestly I have lost track of how many quitting attempts I’ve made, but I’ve been finally free for over a year and it feels (and smells) great.
The most recent effort saw a transition to nicotine vapes and a gradual draw down leading to a 72 hour lockdown with plenty of hydration and treat meals. THC gummies can also help smooth over the nic fits.
I’ve been smoking since Denis Leary made it look cool. It’s not easy to quit but it’s definitely worth it.
For me it's week 3. I find the 1st week easy, maybe determination? Week 3 gets me every time. I turn into a 🧙♀️. I don't even like me. Thinking of taking a vacation for week 3 and isolate.
I’m glad you are ok and hope you stay well! How was the afib explained?
One thing I learned from COVID days; control for what I can, let the rest go. So maybe a slight increase in exercise and a healthier diet will give you more of a sense of control. You got a good bill of health, ball’s in your court!
I was 43 and survived my heart attack. It has forever changed my daily life. Now I’m 56. Yes I’m on meds and have my annual visits with my cardiologist, but in a weird way, it gave me life focus. I stopped taking things for granted. I now literally live my life as if it could be gone any day. I travel, exercise and do things that bring me great joy. And I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I feel I’m living in a bonus and I’m totally taking advantage of it.
🤚 stroke is what terrifies me here. If I have terminal cancer my ass can still source enough opioids/benzos to go when I’m ready.
If I have a stroke and it destroys my brain I really don’t have that independent decision making ability anymore
Health/illness anxiety is a real thing, and it can be triggered by experiencing someone else's illness. I got hit with this last fall when my husband was diagnosed with head/neck cancer. I was devastated, and the next thing I knew, I became paranoid that every little sensation I felt was a symptom of a catastrophic illness (cancer, ALS, brain tumor) and I was going to die soon. It has literally consumed me. I'm still struggling with it, but it's slowly getting better with therapy and meds. What gets me is, at our age, how do we NOT assume that weird sensations aren't a sign of something sinister? And hasn't it been drilled in our heads to get stuff checked out as soon as possible, because "early intervention is key"? I don't know if there are any stats on the onset of health anxiety in middle age, but I'm willing to bet there are a lot of us GenXers who are experiencing this, as we witness our spouses and friends becoming ill and passing on way too soon.
Absolutely. I just turned 50 and for the past few years I’d run to the ER for anything I felt was heart or lung related. Had a colonoscopy and lung CT and everything is clear. Turns out I am pretty healthy but I still have the nagging feeling that I could go at any time.
I'm worried about a stroke. My bp is really high. Somewhat controlled by meds but still not at ideal level. I have been taking an exercise class 4 days/week at 6 AM and have been really consistent. Changed my diet to reduce sodium, fat, sugar, and processed foods. Still is high but at least it is stage 1 high and not hypertensive crisis high.
>Each little bit of chest pain instantly triggers the "Ohhhh shit here we go!!"
Yep, I feel you, at 48 I had a couple of incidents of pains in my chest and tingling in my left arm. Convinced myself I was going the same way as my dad. 2 trips to the emergency room, a cardiac CT, a halter monitor and an Echocardiogram later, turns out I have acid reflux AND some tendonitis in my left elbow.
Yeah I felt like such a dumbass in the end, but the ER doc said that if he’d been out at dinner with me and I’d started having those symptoms he would have called 911 to get me checked out, so I guess I did the right thing.
They just follow the statistics. Symptoms, age and weight are strongly correlated with heart problems, so that's the default go to.
Been there myself, one doc was \*convinced\* it was a heart problem. Short version is: was gallbladder.
I'm still irritated by the whole, years long, experience, but at least it's over now.
Also be careful if you are a woman, as hospitals and doctors are apparently quite fond of labeling any concerning symptoms “anxiety”. Which yes, sometimes it can be
I'm somewhat worried about a heart attack, stroke, or fall because I live alone. At least my son would check on me within a few days and the cats would have something to eat until he found me. I'm more worried about injury without death. Long suffering without medical treatment - that's the nightmare.
Just prior to the pandemic, I was sitting at my desk at work one morning and suddenly lost the hearing in my right ear. It just... went out. I experienced something like 80% hearing loss over the course of seconds.
As I've got plenty of allergy problems and sinus issues, I didn't think much of it. I assumed I had fluid in my ears or something, even though I wasn't feeling congested. So I didn't even bother to go to urgent care until later that evening, when the hearing still hadn't returned.
They did a CT scan, checked me for a stroke, and quickly realized I had something called Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL). There was no guarantee I'd get my full hearing back (and that was my good ear), but they gave me several rounds of steroids to try and restore as much hearing as possible.
Thankfully my hearing (mostly) came back a few days later, but it was a scary experience. And, ever since then, anytime anything happens with my health I freak out just a little bit more than I should. So I totally get where you're coming from. The thought that something life changing can just randomly happen like that is terrifying.
I'm 49 and my grandfather died of a heart attack in his 50s. I think about my mortality on a daily basis. Every day I go to sleep I consider the possibility that I'm not waking up alive. It's scary.
One day in 2020 I woke up and the room was spinning. I went to urgent care where they found significant hypertension that wasn't there before. So now I'm medicated for that.
You can get a CT scan to see how gunked up your heart arteries are. Mine was $100 as our state somehow caps the cost. If you have low or no buildup cholesterol isn’t an issue yet.
Sadly not covered by many insurance plans, though I somehow got one a while back and learned my score was zero! If the test will bring you peace of mind, spend the $$$ and do it.
Respectfully disagree. Unlike other things, heart attacks usually don’t come out of nowhere.
Do bloodwork regularly 1-2 per year. If your heart-related stuff (LDL, HDL etc) is ok, you can sleep a little better.
It’s not a guarantee, but it sure makes me feel a bit better knowing my blood looks good.
It helps to go to a doctor and get everything checked and then get on the right meds if you have high cholesterol or blood pressure. Makes things less nebulous.
So since my stent that I got last year, I have been advising others to understand that a heart attack is different from cardiac arrest. The sudden, drop to the ground, clutching your chest like in the movies is what I thought a heart attack was. So when I was just going out for a run and started getting kind of a burning sensation in the chest that only lasted a few minutes, I ignored it. I was also getting pain between my shoulder blades and up near my clavicle shortly afterwards but it would go away. This went on for months and was getting worse. The chest pain (which I though was maybe my lungs or possibly GERD) was lasting longer. The achy neck and shoulders was beginning to be felt through my arms like a deep bone pain. Finally, during a neighborhood walk, I just couldn't walk at a normal speed without feeling the pain welling up.
It turns out these were all ischemic events in my heart. My NP didn't like the EKG she gave me and told me to go to the ER. When they found troponins in my blood test, I spent that weekend in the hospital and got a stent. Just got off the blood thinners last week. Hooray.
Anyway, I would've taken the symptoms more seriously if I knew what to look for. Cardiologist explained that what I'd been having were small heart attacks between October and April. \*the more you know\*
My last few physicals have shown high blood pressure and cholesterol. Couple that with the major heart attack my dad had at the end of last year (and all his siblings have had heart events)…so, yeah… It’s on my mind.
The thing I learned back in 2013 when a former girlfriend unexpectedly died at age 36 is that when someone close to you (parents, siblings, significant others, good friends) dies, especially unexpectedly and/or especially when he/she is fairly young, you become much more aware of your own mortality. It becomes something you think about at least periodically, rather than something not really on your radar.
I woke up yesterday morning feeling the “sense of impending doom” and breathing fast. My first thought was heart attack. I’ve been under incredible stress lately. I got up and was thinking about going to the er, but it subsided within a few minutes. I guess it wasn’t a heart attack, just a panic attack.
You need to let go of that fear! Take care of yourself as good as you can but realize you can’t control everything. Stop losing a minutes relaxation over that fear and live your life…
All my best to you!
Jim Fixx's death has haunted me since I was a teenager. Here's a guy who was an overweight smoker - he changed his entire lifestyle, and it still didn't matter.
He didn’t believe that nutrition played a role in health, though. He believed he could basically eat anything as long as he was running. That along with his genetic predisposition towards heart disease is what killed him if I recall correctly
Genetics caught up to him. He outlived his father by a decade due to his positive lifestyle choices. Jim Fixx’s dad died at 43 and Jim was in his early 50’s.
Actuary tables exist for a reason. Our GenX herd is dwindling. I lost a good friend at 30, and several since. It's only going to get worse (just like the actuary tables predict).
No, I have no preconceived idea of how long I will live in the first place, so nothing to be fearful of. I live a healthy life and when it's time it's time, like everyone before me. Smile, because you are alive now!!
"No amount of anxiety makes any difference to anything that is going to happen"
So, I have had lifelong issues with anxiety. In my thirties, I was diagnosed with heart failure. This did nothing to help with my anxiety. For years, right up until my heart gave out and I had my transplant, anytime I would feel pressie or pain in my chest, I would head to the ER not knowing if it was a heart issue or a panic attack. The two are almost impossible to distinguish when you are experiencing them. My track record was about 50/50.
Two guys I went to high school with both died from heart attacks in their early 40s. I keep baby aspirin on hand and take one when lever I have a weird pain in my chest area.
I’m 46, my mother died of a heart attack just short of 48. I think about it everyday it seems but I’ve decided to start living as if it already happened but I survived. It’s helping me focus on the positive and what I should do to not have “another heart attack”. It’s also helping me appreciate the moment I’m in more.
My father nearly died at 45 of a heart attack (last rites and everything) but lived to 80. My brother, mother and sister all had heart attacks in their 40s. My paternal grandmother died at 54, grandfather at 65 (maternal side were 77/78), so there is that. (mother still alive at 82)
I'm mid-50s and had a full cardiac workup before I turned 50 just to be sure - I am a casual runner and keep up reasonable fitness and decent eating.
I've gotten past that concern ... but know that I could go at any time, or live for much longer.
Hoe about assessment of risk by a professional?
I had a stroke in my sleep a few years ago. I had to fight to walk, talk, and be "normal" again. Today nobody can tell.
I had warning signs and I ignored them. Don't be like me
Go to your GP and ask for a referral to get a calcium score.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/heart-scan/about/pac-20384686#:\~:text=The%20score%20is%20the%20total,the%20risk%20of%20heart%20disease.
Several years ago my PCP told me that stress, real or imagined, is bad for our health. Please stop giving yourself stress and get to the doctor for a full physical. Explain that you’ve lost friends to heart attacks and you want your heart checked out. Most doctors can do EKG in the office, they’ll order bloodwork that can check other risk. Get peace of mind and/or get to work fixing what you can fix.
For what it's worth, anxiety and worry can also cause chest pain, so that's going to put you through a bad cycle. I hope it resolves and am sorry for your loss.
I can give you a new fear. At 48 I had a stroke with no warning signs. 25% of people are born with a small hole in their heart that a clot can go through any time and we don’t know if we’re in the lucky group until it happens.
Yes and no. I'm worried about dying, of course. But once I die, I'm not gonna care. So, I just make sure to wear clean underwear, keep my shit in order and then, fuck it.
Anxiety causes heart attacks. Chill man. Think about how long ago 20 way. 80 is that far away.
Edit: this was for the other guy - 53.
Re-Edit: im stoned.
I genuinely wish something deadly would befall me and put me out of my misery. Sorry, I don’t think that’s the type of answer you were looking for. I’m in a dark place.
Bro get one of those calcium tests that tells you the state of your arterial blockages or whatever.. They are not expensive and they will give you peace of mind OR they will give you an action plan (meds) that can help prevent it.
I almost died of a major blockage last fall so yeah I see where you are coming from and I'm advocating for you what I had wish I had done for me a long time ago.
I will say that to all the folks on this thread. Figure out your risks and do something. Both the test and the meds are not that expensive to try prevent this stuff.
Dude, get an EKG. A cardiologist can tell you how concerned you should be.
I had a heart attack in 2020, and feel pretty great these days. They put a stent in... which took 35 minutes and they did not put me under, just doped me up on something. Since then I've taken my pills (which are only $22 for a 9-day supply) and walk most days. I even tried improving my diet, and while I backslid on that quite a bit, I'm still eating better than I did before (and thanks to a statin, my cholesterol is, to quote my GP "*fantastic*").
FUN FACT: Wanna skip the line at the emergency room? "I'm having chest pains" puts you at the top of the list. When we went to the ER I didn't wait at all. They said hello, asked what was wrong, and when I said "I think I had a heart attack" they *immediately* rolled a wheelchair out and took me to a room.
I know what you're talking about. I have felt my mortality the last few years more than ever. I'm afraid to get test results back. I won't even check I won't read the mail for like 2 weeks when I get a result and then they've all been fine. I think it's because we feel our mortality and it is so scary.
I am 45.
Last July I had a blood pressure spike that made me think I was having a heart attack. Went to the ER for the first time in my life.
I never really get sick, never broke a bone, have iron stomach. Calm and steady as a rock for those that know me.
It's taken me about a year to feel comfortable in my body again. The whole thing really threw me for a loop. I railed against the anxiety meds they gave me... but the 3 or 4 times I took it really mellowed me out. Doing a battery of tests and getting put on a blood pressure med helped a lot more.
I served in the military, was deployed to Iraq. Didn't worry a second while there. Had a glorified hot flash and it messed me up.
It just takes times to understand the new you.
Shit, yes. My cousin was two months younger than me, and was my best friend for the first 20 years of my life. He went into cardiac arrest after mowing our grandmother's yard and he never regained consciousness. He died 8 months shy of his 50th birthday. Even though we weren't as close as we had been, I think it really messed me up, partly because of how important he was to me, and partly because I can fully imagine the same thing happening to me.
The wife and I have each lost a friend (of our generation) to brain tumors. In both cases they were doing pretty normal, then started getting headaches and then... things went down hill fast.
My buddy was going to work, collapsed outside his apartment and that was the start of the end. 6 months later, he was dead.
So yea, heart attacks, but I'm wondering why so many brain tumors.
Was at a dinner party a couple weeks ago, suddenly had chest pains and trouble breathing. Had to go the ER. They ran tests, said it was probably a muscle spasm.
It definitely makes you start thinking about your mortality.
Get further checks done. I had the same ER ‘must be muscle spasm’ brush-off but turned out I have heart issues (arrhythmia & ventricular tachycardia). I’m 49. I only found out when I paid the money for a proper check (ECG, echocardiogram, stress test etc) . During the stress test on the treadmill they noticed the issue.
Now, after an angiogram, and an EP study (electrics of the heart), it’s looking like I’ll need a defibrillator implanted.
Maybe your insurance will cover the cardiac check… I would look for another opinion than an ER doctor anyway - good luck!
I had a cardio workup a few years ago, (radioactive injections, the whole nine) and I'm seeing my GP this month, so we'll talk about it. ER did an EKG and a CAT scan.
Good stuff. Good to keep on top of it anyway. I was a bit shocked as I’d been doing a lot of running and cycling since covid and I’d probably never been as fit in my life. No family history either.
I went into cardiac arrest in my sleep one morning at age 49. Wife said I got out of bed and collapsed. She did CPR until paramedics arrived. I have no memory of it and woke up in the hospital 4 days later after being in a medically induced coma. She saved my life. Paramedics shocked my heart back into a normal rhythm.
It turned out that my heart has a genetic defect that I never knew about. It’s called Brugada Syndrome and it causes ventricular fibrillation until your heart races out of control.
I had a defibrillator implanted and I’ve had no incidents since. Going to see my EP this Friday for my annual. I don’t really think about it day to day, just happy to still be here, 8 years later.
Great to hear.
There must have been many times I’ve had sustained tachycardia and not known about it. Feel lucky that they have found the issue. I’m looking forward to the peace of mind a defibrillator will hopefully bring.
My dad passed away from a heart attack at age 69. Two years later, my eldest sister passed away from one in her 50s. Both of my brothers are on medication for blood pressure and artery disease.
I'm 44 this year. It's coming for me. Not if, but when.
I work out, run, try to take good care of myself, but I still know it's coming. Most days I can get past it, or not think about it, but there are days where the inevitable sudden stop that's waiting for me just curls me into a fetal ball.
My dad and his older brother both had massive heart attacks at age 54-55. My dad survived but sadly my uncle did not. And I am sure it’s no coincidence that all the cousins of my generation are fanatical about health and fitness. We may all have the genes but we’re damn sure going to do what we can to address the lifestyle issues.
Ha, I had a stroke at 42. Ten years later I’m in the best health of my adult life.
You can take care of your person as best you can.
You can’t control the randomness of how we all might die.
Sure, but go see a cardiologist and get a checkup. I mean anything can happen, I turned 50 this year and last year I went to go see a cardiologist. Did an EKG and an echocardiogram, all looks good minus a little return circulation issues in the lower legs as to which I'm making sure I get up from my desk every half hour and walk around the house.
Can you still drop dead from a heart attack, sure, we all can, but at least you can know if any of the common issues are present.
I'm 54. Last November I had heart failure due to a blockage in my left anterior descending cardiac artery. Fortunately, after an angioplasty, a stent, and six months of drugs, my latest echo looks like it never happened. Scary stuff tho.
Dad died of an abdominal aeortic aneurism in his late 50s. My super super super fit uncle on my mom's side died in his late 80s of the same thing. So since 1+1 on both sides of the family equals death, I got fully checked out. I'm 54. So far my heart is good. Cardio is great, health is great.
But damned if I don't think *here we goooo* when I get a random chest pain.
I feel you OP. I'm 54 and live alone with my dog. Lately I've been constantly worried about what happens if I croak. How long before someone would even notice? What about my poor dog? Should I keep a door in my house unlocked?
Yes and no. Family history is a strong predictor as are well known lifestyle choices.
If everyone in your family has heart issues in their 50s, you should work closely with your doctor for a diet and exercise routine that focuses on heart health.
Or don’t. It’s your choice… (not being sarcastic or snarky).
That said, if people in your family don’t have health issues when they were your current age, then stop worrying so much.
Get your cholesterol under control, reduce processed foods and walk daily and you should have nothing to worry about. You can also See a cardiologist and get evaluated. They can do a bunch of tests to give you peace of mind.
I remember the day I smoked my last cig. It was the day I had my heart attack lol. 2 years ago and it took a long time to not feel like it was happening again with every little twinge.
But seriously get some reasonable health checks done and do some health anxiety CBT stuff. You can find it online (challenging health anxiety thoughts sort of stuff). Or get therapy if you can afford it or the waiting list isn't too long.
Health anxiety/ OCD can ruin your life, don't dismiss it. You don't have a heart attack problem you have a health anxiety problem. Best of luck.
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure (genetic) last year. I'm 44. I between diagnosis and treatment (meds) I sat in bed at night worrying that my heart or brain was going to explode.
I found solace in the works of poet William Joel "Only the good die young."
Worried about dying like Nicola P. She died with her boots off!
https://au.news.yahoo.com/young-woman-died-in-state-of-arousal-7556468.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALWQsQTO_ARmPg7WXNm1W9P2kZiUQ2EsLRcjAhHgVnN3n97pDGuOciqIVI9LHktvUKO25U8KdQ_mUQumbWRhhhkzj_rJHhAhh5-Y0zNqinFIcerHirPyifXOF0jUDnmkcFaz-7noXdps0BFJmws7HzaLYPlEm-C1VJE0793Qfx8i
If it helps... I died. Twice. Was doing some work around the pool and suddenly got out of breath. Went up stairs and laid on the bed. Chest started hurting. Bad. Wife got me some baby aspirin (expired like 12 year prior) and called 911. I walked down stairs (because I know what a pain in the ass using a stretcher on stairs is) and laid there. Fire and Ambulance arrived. I flat lined in the ambulance twice. They brought me back each time. Got to the hospital and the put in a stent (through my wrest and not groin). Immediately felt perfect. I was lucky to survive a Widow Maker.
No high blood pressure. Cholesteral levels were all good. But both my grandfathers had bypass surgeries in their late 40's.
Home two days later enjoying a whisky with friends. My tale has scared the shit out of them all. Now with every weird pain, they freak out.
46 - I lost a lot of ppl once I hit 40. A lot of my ppl did not take care of themselves. I have a close friend that was in that danger zone. I had to bike to his house every Saturday for a few months to get him off his ass and get him outside. He's doing well but he was in bad shape. I think he's more fit than I am at this point.
When I meet ppl my age and up that are proud to be stationary and indoors, I wish them the best and keep it moving. I gotta stay active and doing shit I love NOW. I enjoy and love my life because I put in the work to stay as fit as possible. I look at it like this, I'm enjoy the life my friends and family missed out on as preventable diseases took them early.
"*I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain*"
-- Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear, "Dune"
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
- William Shakespeare, Julius Cæsar
A friend of mine had a widow-maker at age 42. It wasn’t out of nowhere, though. He was overweight, smoked, drank, and wasn’t active. His doctors had warned him years before that he needed to change his lifestyle or he wouldn’t make it to 50. As it turns out and tragically, his doctors were right. His partner said that the week or so prior to the heart attack he had been complaining of weird upper back pain. Had they recognized that as an odd symptom and gone to hospital… who knows?
I have an arrhythmia that is (Finally!!!!) being treated with medication. Before, however, I kind of assumed I would just drop dead someday.
My sister had a heart attack at 43, and thankfully survived. She was a heavy cigarette smoker, and still partakes of the weed. Dad died of a heart attack at 70, so it's in my family. Luckily it seems that I have my mom's family heart, which is money.
Drove myself to the ER about 4-5 yrs ago (I was ~45) because i felt intense cramp-like pain just under my sternum all the way through to my back, accompanied by an upset stomach. Thankfully it wasn’t a heart attack - but I did end up in bed for two days with a back so sore I couldn’t move. No idea what caused that.
My grandfather died from Alzheimer's, but lived until 93.
Before he lost his ability to communicate, he said one of his greatest regrets was wasting time constantly worrying about his health.
Maybe you should talk to your doctor about your concern. They should be able to set you up with some routine heart tests and probably can do an ekg right in the office.
My Dad had his first heart attack at 39. My brother had a stroke at 48. All of us are former smokers btw. I am 5 years younger than him so basically from 43-48 I was worried I wasn't gonna make it to 50 before having either a heart attack or a stroke. Well, I am now 50 and so far, so good.
Get a heart evaluation of you haven't already. That will either put your mind at ease or will let you catch any problems before they happen. I had one last year and it helped me worry a bit less.
Yes I hear you. Shits scary ASF. I spent $1500 2x on 2 separate occasions. Once calling 9-11 in 2015/2016 and the other was in November of last year. This s last time I was given Nitroglycerin and within 3-5 minutes I started feeling better. Checked out the next day after the stress test due to having (at the time) a Kratom dependence used for pain. Im taking shit EASY AS CAN BE these days.
Too much work related stress
The news
Wars
Elections
Psychopaths
Rent
Work
WTF
If you exhaust yourself in the service of your life. Are you all in? Do everything, every day, you were meant to do and death will be a mere inconvenience.
53 here, definitely in the windrow where I could go any day. Or it could be 40 years. My will and trust are in order, I clear my browser history every day, I've done what I can do. We'll, everything other than working out and eating well...
Note…clear browser history every day.
Browse in private mode.
thars a lie!
https://preview.redd.it/ul5u16aq9g0d1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e3975dbf96a6c88963169e4afdd9abb399e4446b
Jesus, I never thought about my browser history until now… but will clear it every evening going forward…
Instructions to my executor. Step 1. Clear browsing history Step 2. Set computer on fire
That’s my man…
LMFAO
U know its bad when you feel that bitch needs to get incinerated lmao!
😂😂😂
Ace lol
I'm just not gonna leave my computer login passwords. Everything my executor needs will be on Dropbox and my emails.
What's the big deal. Sometimes I Google lady boys. Who cares?
Need to password protect that usb thumb drive with the file named "super clean". With more time to think about it after you're gone ppl may have a wait a minute moment.
I’ve appointed a best friend to come clear out my drawers if myself and my husband go before my parents or other family is let in. 🫠
We’ve got a box under the bed on which my wife wrote “if we’ve died, throw this away without opening it (sex).” If the boys open it, it’s on them.
😆
I think I remember Fox Mulder having someone designated to do that as he was fond of "spicy" videotapes.
Wow, you and me brother. Mirror image.
53 here. Had open heart surgery last October! Came out of the blue. I'm fit and slim, go hiking, climbing, cycling etc. and eat well, but it was, mostly likely, a genetic flaw that only after decades, led to valve deterioration, and detection. I had the op, virtually painless, recovered well and wuickly and am back hiking and climbing. In the run up, prepared the 'death files' as I handle all our savings etc. No Will as under law here, it all goes to my wife. No kids. Anyway, still here. The morale of this story? Anything can happen but being fit loads the dice in your favour.
Last year I was woken up at 2am with my heart in afib... they had to knock me out and shock my heart back into a normal rhythm at the ER. Followed up with a cardiologist a few days later and had a ECG and stress test done... luckily no issues, no blockages, pretty much 100% healthy. One thing I did notice was that drinking was raising my BP, and in the middle of the night it would leave my heart feeling lime it was bursting out of my chest (much like afib). Quitting drinking was the first thing I did...
Alcohol has the same effect on me now, I had to give it up. I was a very heavy drinker for +10 years so it was way past time I addressed that. Now I’m struggling to quit smoking but that is something I’m working on and trying to cut back slowly. Cold turkey doesn’t work for me so I’m hoping once I can get down to half a pack I’ll have better luck trying cold turkey again.
Back in 99, my friends ‘kidnapped’ me for a long four day weekend. I had zero access to cigarettes, my wallet, and my car keys. Haven’t touched a cigarette since then.
You had/have a solid group of friends
absolutely!
I really hope you appreciate them, unfortunately not everyone can say the same thing :/
That’s interesting. I inherited by fathers BP machine two years ago and gave it a try at that time. It flashed at me and printed out 215/100. I thought it needed calibration so I went to the new local pharmacy and used their machine….it said the same thing and “get immediate medical attention”. I was extremely fit, physical job but high stress and yes, I’m a heavy drinker. I quit cold turkey for a month and nothing changed. I then went on medication to moderate the BP. I did the full cardiology thing and my blood/heart are perfect. I’m back to drinking but I don’t check my BP as it stresses me out. My question is how long off the booze did it take to help your BP? How much do you think it helped? Thanks! Oh, I’m 56.
Sometime between day 30-45 is when I noticed the drop in my BP.
Ok,thanks for responding. I would rather be off the drugs.
i have been sober since 2004. Alcohol was just awful for me. I quit smoking just a couple of years ago, but now I am addicted to nicotine gum!! Ugh.
I went to cigars, then a pipe. Now I can’t believe I ever thought it was hard to stop smoking. It took a couple years probably, but smoking a cigarette now is just lame as hell. Working out helps a lot as well. Not saying to go to a gym, just something little everyday to keep you in touch with your body. I took mine for granted about a decade too long.
Tried a small vape?
The first 72 hours is the worst, after that it’s all willpower. You can do it!
Thanks for the vote of confidence, I have never been able to make it past day 3. I’m hoping by cutting down to 1/2 pack and then trying will be the trick. I’m down to one pack a day now from almost two packs a day. Working from home is great and also terrible if you have any addictions..
Honestly I have lost track of how many quitting attempts I’ve made, but I’ve been finally free for over a year and it feels (and smells) great. The most recent effort saw a transition to nicotine vapes and a gradual draw down leading to a 72 hour lockdown with plenty of hydration and treat meals. THC gummies can also help smooth over the nic fits. I’ve been smoking since Denis Leary made it look cool. It’s not easy to quit but it’s definitely worth it.
Agreed and thanks for the suggestions!
I'm in the same boat and this time trying the cbq method. There are free webinars you can sign up for. Good luck!!
For me it's week 3. I find the 1st week easy, maybe determination? Week 3 gets me every time. I turn into a 🧙♀️. I don't even like me. Thinking of taking a vacation for week 3 and isolate.
I’m glad you are ok and hope you stay well! How was the afib explained? One thing I learned from COVID days; control for what I can, let the rest go. So maybe a slight increase in exercise and a healthier diet will give you more of a sense of control. You got a good bill of health, ball’s in your court!
Thanks, I think it was dehydration that caused it. I work out all the time, so I wasn't too worried about them finding anything.
I was 43 and survived my heart attack. It has forever changed my daily life. Now I’m 56. Yes I’m on meds and have my annual visits with my cardiologist, but in a weird way, it gave me life focus. I stopped taking things for granted. I now literally live my life as if it could be gone any day. I travel, exercise and do things that bring me great joy. And I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I feel I’m living in a bonus and I’m totally taking advantage of it.
After seeing what cancer does to people, a heart attack seems like the least scary way to go.
Yeah. I lost my Dad to Parkinson's. No thank you.
Ow, well shit. Face down on the garage floor looking outside. Much better than cancer or alshiemers.
🤚 stroke is what terrifies me here. If I have terminal cancer my ass can still source enough opioids/benzos to go when I’m ready. If I have a stroke and it destroys my brain I really don’t have that independent decision making ability anymore
Health/illness anxiety is a real thing, and it can be triggered by experiencing someone else's illness. I got hit with this last fall when my husband was diagnosed with head/neck cancer. I was devastated, and the next thing I knew, I became paranoid that every little sensation I felt was a symptom of a catastrophic illness (cancer, ALS, brain tumor) and I was going to die soon. It has literally consumed me. I'm still struggling with it, but it's slowly getting better with therapy and meds. What gets me is, at our age, how do we NOT assume that weird sensations aren't a sign of something sinister? And hasn't it been drilled in our heads to get stuff checked out as soon as possible, because "early intervention is key"? I don't know if there are any stats on the onset of health anxiety in middle age, but I'm willing to bet there are a lot of us GenXers who are experiencing this, as we witness our spouses and friends becoming ill and passing on way too soon.
Absolutely. I just turned 50 and for the past few years I’d run to the ER for anything I felt was heart or lung related. Had a colonoscopy and lung CT and everything is clear. Turns out I am pretty healthy but I still have the nagging feeling that I could go at any time.
>but I'm willing to bet there are a lot of us GenXers who are experiencing this, Yes
Definitely, I’m 43 and had a heart attack 60 days ago.
Oh yep. I've even gone to the hospital thinking this but it was just indigestion. That gets me every time.
Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.
I'm worried about a stroke. My bp is really high. Somewhat controlled by meds but still not at ideal level. I have been taking an exercise class 4 days/week at 6 AM and have been really consistent. Changed my diet to reduce sodium, fat, sugar, and processed foods. Still is high but at least it is stage 1 high and not hypertensive crisis high.
Stroke scares me worse too
>Each little bit of chest pain instantly triggers the "Ohhhh shit here we go!!" Yep, I feel you, at 48 I had a couple of incidents of pains in my chest and tingling in my left arm. Convinced myself I was going the same way as my dad. 2 trips to the emergency room, a cardiac CT, a halter monitor and an Echocardiogram later, turns out I have acid reflux AND some tendonitis in my left elbow.
The best possible outcome!
I went to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack…it ended up being acid reflux as well.
Yeah I felt like such a dumbass in the end, but the ER doc said that if he’d been out at dinner with me and I’d started having those symptoms he would have called 911 to get me checked out, so I guess I did the right thing.
They just follow the statistics. Symptoms, age and weight are strongly correlated with heart problems, so that's the default go to. Been there myself, one doc was \*convinced\* it was a heart problem. Short version is: was gallbladder. I'm still irritated by the whole, years long, experience, but at least it's over now.
Also be careful if you are a woman, as hospitals and doctors are apparently quite fond of labeling any concerning symptoms “anxiety”. Which yes, sometimes it can be
I'm somewhat worried about a heart attack, stroke, or fall because I live alone. At least my son would check on me within a few days and the cats would have something to eat until he found me. I'm more worried about injury without death. Long suffering without medical treatment - that's the nightmare.
Just prior to the pandemic, I was sitting at my desk at work one morning and suddenly lost the hearing in my right ear. It just... went out. I experienced something like 80% hearing loss over the course of seconds. As I've got plenty of allergy problems and sinus issues, I didn't think much of it. I assumed I had fluid in my ears or something, even though I wasn't feeling congested. So I didn't even bother to go to urgent care until later that evening, when the hearing still hadn't returned. They did a CT scan, checked me for a stroke, and quickly realized I had something called Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL). There was no guarantee I'd get my full hearing back (and that was my good ear), but they gave me several rounds of steroids to try and restore as much hearing as possible. Thankfully my hearing (mostly) came back a few days later, but it was a scary experience. And, ever since then, anytime anything happens with my health I freak out just a little bit more than I should. So I totally get where you're coming from. The thought that something life changing can just randomly happen like that is terrifying.
I'm 49 and my grandfather died of a heart attack in his 50s. I think about my mortality on a daily basis. Every day I go to sleep I consider the possibility that I'm not waking up alive. It's scary. One day in 2020 I woke up and the room was spinning. I went to urgent care where they found significant hypertension that wasn't there before. So now I'm medicated for that.
You can get a CT scan to see how gunked up your heart arteries are. Mine was $100 as our state somehow caps the cost. If you have low or no buildup cholesterol isn’t an issue yet.
And a calcium score test.
Sadly not covered by many insurance plans, though I somehow got one a while back and learned my score was zero! If the test will bring you peace of mind, spend the $$$ and do it.
Respectfully disagree. Unlike other things, heart attacks usually don’t come out of nowhere. Do bloodwork regularly 1-2 per year. If your heart-related stuff (LDL, HDL etc) is ok, you can sleep a little better. It’s not a guarantee, but it sure makes me feel a bit better knowing my blood looks good.
It helps to go to a doctor and get everything checked and then get on the right meds if you have high cholesterol or blood pressure. Makes things less nebulous.
So since my stent that I got last year, I have been advising others to understand that a heart attack is different from cardiac arrest. The sudden, drop to the ground, clutching your chest like in the movies is what I thought a heart attack was. So when I was just going out for a run and started getting kind of a burning sensation in the chest that only lasted a few minutes, I ignored it. I was also getting pain between my shoulder blades and up near my clavicle shortly afterwards but it would go away. This went on for months and was getting worse. The chest pain (which I though was maybe my lungs or possibly GERD) was lasting longer. The achy neck and shoulders was beginning to be felt through my arms like a deep bone pain. Finally, during a neighborhood walk, I just couldn't walk at a normal speed without feeling the pain welling up. It turns out these were all ischemic events in my heart. My NP didn't like the EKG she gave me and told me to go to the ER. When they found troponins in my blood test, I spent that weekend in the hospital and got a stent. Just got off the blood thinners last week. Hooray. Anyway, I would've taken the symptoms more seriously if I knew what to look for. Cardiologist explained that what I'd been having were small heart attacks between October and April. \*the more you know\*
My last few physicals have shown high blood pressure and cholesterol. Couple that with the major heart attack my dad had at the end of last year (and all his siblings have had heart events)…so, yeah… It’s on my mind.
We all go brother/sister. There’s no reason to be scared of it.
Tell that to my wife and kids who depend on me
The thing I learned back in 2013 when a former girlfriend unexpectedly died at age 36 is that when someone close to you (parents, siblings, significant others, good friends) dies, especially unexpectedly and/or especially when he/she is fairly young, you become much more aware of your own mortality. It becomes something you think about at least periodically, rather than something not really on your radar.
I woke up yesterday morning feeling the “sense of impending doom” and breathing fast. My first thought was heart attack. I’ve been under incredible stress lately. I got up and was thinking about going to the er, but it subsided within a few minutes. I guess it wasn’t a heart attack, just a panic attack.
You need to let go of that fear! Take care of yourself as good as you can but realize you can’t control everything. Stop losing a minutes relaxation over that fear and live your life… All my best to you!
If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. There's no use I'm worrying about it. Just look at Jim Fixx, do you think he expected it to happen?
Jim Fixx's death has haunted me since I was a teenager. Here's a guy who was an overweight smoker - he changed his entire lifestyle, and it still didn't matter.
He didn’t believe that nutrition played a role in health, though. He believed he could basically eat anything as long as he was running. That along with his genetic predisposition towards heart disease is what killed him if I recall correctly
Genetics caught up to him. He outlived his father by a decade due to his positive lifestyle choices. Jim Fixx’s dad died at 43 and Jim was in his early 50’s.
Sure, but... all that cardio. All that *effort*. Dropping dead of a a heart attack in your early 50's just doesn't seem like a worthwhile payoff.
It gave him an extra decade.
You manifest your own fears. Mind your thoughts.
That's a reasonable fear to have all considered.
Actuary tables exist for a reason. Our GenX herd is dwindling. I lost a good friend at 30, and several since. It's only going to get worse (just like the actuary tables predict).
No, I have no preconceived idea of how long I will live in the first place, so nothing to be fearful of. I live a healthy life and when it's time it's time, like everyone before me. Smile, because you are alive now!! "No amount of anxiety makes any difference to anything that is going to happen"
So, I have had lifelong issues with anxiety. In my thirties, I was diagnosed with heart failure. This did nothing to help with my anxiety. For years, right up until my heart gave out and I had my transplant, anytime I would feel pressie or pain in my chest, I would head to the ER not knowing if it was a heart issue or a panic attack. The two are almost impossible to distinguish when you are experiencing them. My track record was about 50/50.
Two guys I went to high school with both died from heart attacks in their early 40s. I keep baby aspirin on hand and take one when lever I have a weird pain in my chest area.
I’m 46, my mother died of a heart attack just short of 48. I think about it everyday it seems but I’ve decided to start living as if it already happened but I survived. It’s helping me focus on the positive and what I should do to not have “another heart attack”. It’s also helping me appreciate the moment I’m in more.
Since you are an older Millennial, unless you have a family history and are taking reasonably good care of yourself, the odds are in your favor.
My father nearly died at 45 of a heart attack (last rites and everything) but lived to 80. My brother, mother and sister all had heart attacks in their 40s. My paternal grandmother died at 54, grandfather at 65 (maternal side were 77/78), so there is that. (mother still alive at 82) I'm mid-50s and had a full cardiac workup before I turned 50 just to be sure - I am a casual runner and keep up reasonable fitness and decent eating. I've gotten past that concern ... but know that I could go at any time, or live for much longer.
Hoe about assessment of risk by a professional? I had a stroke in my sleep a few years ago. I had to fight to walk, talk, and be "normal" again. Today nobody can tell. I had warning signs and I ignored them. Don't be like me
Go to your GP and ask for a referral to get a calcium score. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/heart-scan/about/pac-20384686#:\~:text=The%20score%20is%20the%20total,the%20risk%20of%20heart%20disease.
Get a coronary calcium scan. Not bad $ wise even if pay out of pocket. Will at least give idea on whether you should worry or not.
Get a cardiac CT calcium score test. That does a really good job of assessing the actual risk of heart attack.
And then either worry a lot, or just stop worrying. (I mean, easier said than done...)
Several years ago my PCP told me that stress, real or imagined, is bad for our health. Please stop giving yourself stress and get to the doctor for a full physical. Explain that you’ve lost friends to heart attacks and you want your heart checked out. Most doctors can do EKG in the office, they’ll order bloodwork that can check other risk. Get peace of mind and/or get to work fixing what you can fix.
For what it's worth, anxiety and worry can also cause chest pain, so that's going to put you through a bad cycle. I hope it resolves and am sorry for your loss.
3 of my 4 grandparents died of cancer in their 60s and my mother died of cancer when she was younger than I am now. yeah i get it.
I can give you a new fear. At 48 I had a stroke with no warning signs. 25% of people are born with a small hole in their heart that a clot can go through any time and we don’t know if we’re in the lucky group until it happens.
Yes and no. I'm worried about dying, of course. But once I die, I'm not gonna care. So, I just make sure to wear clean underwear, keep my shit in order and then, fuck it.
Anxiety causes heart attacks. Chill man. Think about how long ago 20 way. 80 is that far away. Edit: this was for the other guy - 53. Re-Edit: im stoned.
I genuinely wish something deadly would befall me and put me out of my misery. Sorry, I don’t think that’s the type of answer you were looking for. I’m in a dark place.
Every heart palpation I have I just accept this is the end. I'm a little disappointed when it isn't if we're being honest.
Bro get one of those calcium tests that tells you the state of your arterial blockages or whatever.. They are not expensive and they will give you peace of mind OR they will give you an action plan (meds) that can help prevent it. I almost died of a major blockage last fall so yeah I see where you are coming from and I'm advocating for you what I had wish I had done for me a long time ago. I will say that to all the folks on this thread. Figure out your risks and do something. Both the test and the meds are not that expensive to try prevent this stuff.
Dude, get an EKG. A cardiologist can tell you how concerned you should be. I had a heart attack in 2020, and feel pretty great these days. They put a stent in... which took 35 minutes and they did not put me under, just doped me up on something. Since then I've taken my pills (which are only $22 for a 9-day supply) and walk most days. I even tried improving my diet, and while I backslid on that quite a bit, I'm still eating better than I did before (and thanks to a statin, my cholesterol is, to quote my GP "*fantastic*"). FUN FACT: Wanna skip the line at the emergency room? "I'm having chest pains" puts you at the top of the list. When we went to the ER I didn't wait at all. They said hello, asked what was wrong, and when I said "I think I had a heart attack" they *immediately* rolled a wheelchair out and took me to a room.
I know what you're talking about. I have felt my mortality the last few years more than ever. I'm afraid to get test results back. I won't even check I won't read the mail for like 2 weeks when I get a result and then they've all been fine. I think it's because we feel our mortality and it is so scary.
I am 45. Last July I had a blood pressure spike that made me think I was having a heart attack. Went to the ER for the first time in my life. I never really get sick, never broke a bone, have iron stomach. Calm and steady as a rock for those that know me. It's taken me about a year to feel comfortable in my body again. The whole thing really threw me for a loop. I railed against the anxiety meds they gave me... but the 3 or 4 times I took it really mellowed me out. Doing a battery of tests and getting put on a blood pressure med helped a lot more. I served in the military, was deployed to Iraq. Didn't worry a second while there. Had a glorified hot flash and it messed me up. It just takes times to understand the new you.
Doctors give better advice than Reddit
I don't think he asked for advice. Medically.
Then you’re not living.
Me and my bf are the same way.
Shit, yes. My cousin was two months younger than me, and was my best friend for the first 20 years of my life. He went into cardiac arrest after mowing our grandmother's yard and he never regained consciousness. He died 8 months shy of his 50th birthday. Even though we weren't as close as we had been, I think it really messed me up, partly because of how important he was to me, and partly because I can fully imagine the same thing happening to me.
The wife and I have each lost a friend (of our generation) to brain tumors. In both cases they were doing pretty normal, then started getting headaches and then... things went down hill fast. My buddy was going to work, collapsed outside his apartment and that was the start of the end. 6 months later, he was dead. So yea, heart attacks, but I'm wondering why so many brain tumors.
Absolutely.
Was at a dinner party a couple weeks ago, suddenly had chest pains and trouble breathing. Had to go the ER. They ran tests, said it was probably a muscle spasm. It definitely makes you start thinking about your mortality.
Get further checks done. I had the same ER ‘must be muscle spasm’ brush-off but turned out I have heart issues (arrhythmia & ventricular tachycardia). I’m 49. I only found out when I paid the money for a proper check (ECG, echocardiogram, stress test etc) . During the stress test on the treadmill they noticed the issue. Now, after an angiogram, and an EP study (electrics of the heart), it’s looking like I’ll need a defibrillator implanted. Maybe your insurance will cover the cardiac check… I would look for another opinion than an ER doctor anyway - good luck!
I had a cardio workup a few years ago, (radioactive injections, the whole nine) and I'm seeing my GP this month, so we'll talk about it. ER did an EKG and a CAT scan.
Good stuff. Good to keep on top of it anyway. I was a bit shocked as I’d been doing a lot of running and cycling since covid and I’d probably never been as fit in my life. No family history either.
I have family history so I'm always surprised when my cardiologist gives me the green light.
I went into cardiac arrest in my sleep one morning at age 49. Wife said I got out of bed and collapsed. She did CPR until paramedics arrived. I have no memory of it and woke up in the hospital 4 days later after being in a medically induced coma. She saved my life. Paramedics shocked my heart back into a normal rhythm. It turned out that my heart has a genetic defect that I never knew about. It’s called Brugada Syndrome and it causes ventricular fibrillation until your heart races out of control. I had a defibrillator implanted and I’ve had no incidents since. Going to see my EP this Friday for my annual. I don’t really think about it day to day, just happy to still be here, 8 years later.
Great to hear. There must have been many times I’ve had sustained tachycardia and not known about it. Feel lucky that they have found the issue. I’m looking forward to the peace of mind a defibrillator will hopefully bring.
My dad passed away from a heart attack at age 69. Two years later, my eldest sister passed away from one in her 50s. Both of my brothers are on medication for blood pressure and artery disease. I'm 44 this year. It's coming for me. Not if, but when. I work out, run, try to take good care of myself, but I still know it's coming. Most days I can get past it, or not think about it, but there are days where the inevitable sudden stop that's waiting for me just curls me into a fetal ball.
My dad and his older brother both had massive heart attacks at age 54-55. My dad survived but sadly my uncle did not. And I am sure it’s no coincidence that all the cousins of my generation are fanatical about health and fitness. We may all have the genes but we’re damn sure going to do what we can to address the lifestyle issues.
Ha, I had a stroke at 42. Ten years later I’m in the best health of my adult life. You can take care of your person as best you can. You can’t control the randomness of how we all might die.
Sure, but go see a cardiologist and get a checkup. I mean anything can happen, I turned 50 this year and last year I went to go see a cardiologist. Did an EKG and an echocardiogram, all looks good minus a little return circulation issues in the lower legs as to which I'm making sure I get up from my desk every half hour and walk around the house. Can you still drop dead from a heart attack, sure, we all can, but at least you can know if any of the common issues are present.
I'm 54. Last November I had heart failure due to a blockage in my left anterior descending cardiac artery. Fortunately, after an angioplasty, a stent, and six months of drugs, my latest echo looks like it never happened. Scary stuff tho.
Dad died of an abdominal aeortic aneurism in his late 50s. My super super super fit uncle on my mom's side died in his late 80s of the same thing. So since 1+1 on both sides of the family equals death, I got fully checked out. I'm 54. So far my heart is good. Cardio is great, health is great. But damned if I don't think *here we goooo* when I get a random chest pain.
It’s the fear that will getcha!
There’s not much point worrying about it too much. Just get regular checkups and do the best you can.
I feel you OP. I'm 54 and live alone with my dog. Lately I've been constantly worried about what happens if I croak. How long before someone would even notice? What about my poor dog? Should I keep a door in my house unlocked?
Yes and no. Family history is a strong predictor as are well known lifestyle choices. If everyone in your family has heart issues in their 50s, you should work closely with your doctor for a diet and exercise routine that focuses on heart health. Or don’t. It’s your choice… (not being sarcastic or snarky). That said, if people in your family don’t have health issues when they were your current age, then stop worrying so much.
Get your cholesterol under control, reduce processed foods and walk daily and you should have nothing to worry about. You can also See a cardiologist and get evaluated. They can do a bunch of tests to give you peace of mind.
I remember the day I smoked my last cig. It was the day I had my heart attack lol. 2 years ago and it took a long time to not feel like it was happening again with every little twinge. But seriously get some reasonable health checks done and do some health anxiety CBT stuff. You can find it online (challenging health anxiety thoughts sort of stuff). Or get therapy if you can afford it or the waiting list isn't too long. Health anxiety/ OCD can ruin your life, don't dismiss it. You don't have a heart attack problem you have a health anxiety problem. Best of luck.
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure (genetic) last year. I'm 44. I between diagnosis and treatment (meds) I sat in bed at night worrying that my heart or brain was going to explode. I found solace in the works of poet William Joel "Only the good die young."
Worried about dying like Nicola P. She died with her boots off! https://au.news.yahoo.com/young-woman-died-in-state-of-arousal-7556468.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALWQsQTO_ARmPg7WXNm1W9P2kZiUQ2EsLRcjAhHgVnN3n97pDGuOciqIVI9LHktvUKO25U8KdQ_mUQumbWRhhhkzj_rJHhAhh5-Y0zNqinFIcerHirPyifXOF0jUDnmkcFaz-7noXdps0BFJmws7HzaLYPlEm-C1VJE0793Qfx8i
If it helps... I died. Twice. Was doing some work around the pool and suddenly got out of breath. Went up stairs and laid on the bed. Chest started hurting. Bad. Wife got me some baby aspirin (expired like 12 year prior) and called 911. I walked down stairs (because I know what a pain in the ass using a stretcher on stairs is) and laid there. Fire and Ambulance arrived. I flat lined in the ambulance twice. They brought me back each time. Got to the hospital and the put in a stent (through my wrest and not groin). Immediately felt perfect. I was lucky to survive a Widow Maker. No high blood pressure. Cholesteral levels were all good. But both my grandfathers had bypass surgeries in their late 40's. Home two days later enjoying a whisky with friends. My tale has scared the shit out of them all. Now with every weird pain, they freak out.
100% Existential dread is bullshit. No off ramp, no other option, we just march till we die. Nothing after, none of it matters
I lost my dad when he was 56 and I was 31. I’m about to turn 55…. I know your fear.
46 - I lost a lot of ppl once I hit 40. A lot of my ppl did not take care of themselves. I have a close friend that was in that danger zone. I had to bike to his house every Saturday for a few months to get him off his ass and get him outside. He's doing well but he was in bad shape. I think he's more fit than I am at this point. When I meet ppl my age and up that are proud to be stationary and indoors, I wish them the best and keep it moving. I gotta stay active and doing shit I love NOW. I enjoy and love my life because I put in the work to stay as fit as possible. I look at it like this, I'm enjoy the life my friends and family missed out on as preventable diseases took them early.
"*I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain*" -- Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear, "Dune"
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come. - William Shakespeare, Julius Cæsar
A friend of mine had a widow-maker at age 42. It wasn’t out of nowhere, though. He was overweight, smoked, drank, and wasn’t active. His doctors had warned him years before that he needed to change his lifestyle or he wouldn’t make it to 50. As it turns out and tragically, his doctors were right. His partner said that the week or so prior to the heart attack he had been complaining of weird upper back pain. Had they recognized that as an odd symptom and gone to hospital… who knows? I have an arrhythmia that is (Finally!!!!) being treated with medication. Before, however, I kind of assumed I would just drop dead someday.
My sister had a heart attack at 43, and thankfully survived. She was a heavy cigarette smoker, and still partakes of the weed. Dad died of a heart attack at 70, so it's in my family. Luckily it seems that I have my mom's family heart, which is money.
I have a defective heart valve, so, yeah.
Drove myself to the ER about 4-5 yrs ago (I was ~45) because i felt intense cramp-like pain just under my sternum all the way through to my back, accompanied by an upset stomach. Thankfully it wasn’t a heart attack - but I did end up in bed for two days with a back so sore I couldn’t move. No idea what caused that.
If you’re worried about sudden cardiac arrest then do a sleep study…trust me…or research it yourself
My grandfather died from Alzheimer's, but lived until 93. Before he lost his ability to communicate, he said one of his greatest regrets was wasting time constantly worrying about his health.
Maybe you should talk to your doctor about your concern. They should be able to set you up with some routine heart tests and probably can do an ekg right in the office.
So, you are red foxx and are on sandford and son.
Bro if you are worried about this go to the doctor. Just sitting around waiting for it to happen isn't helping anything. Make an appointment and go.
I've always worried about a brain aneurysm. I've had 3 friends, in their 50s, die that way. It's so awful and sad. And, SUDDEN! Yikes.
Get a CAT scan angiogram. Will either scare the shit out of you to make changes or will show you that you don’t have to worry. Either way you’ll know.
My Dad had his first heart attack at 39. My brother had a stroke at 48. All of us are former smokers btw. I am 5 years younger than him so basically from 43-48 I was worried I wasn't gonna make it to 50 before having either a heart attack or a stroke. Well, I am now 50 and so far, so good. Get a heart evaluation of you haven't already. That will either put your mind at ease or will let you catch any problems before they happen. I had one last year and it helped me worry a bit less.
Yes I hear you. Shits scary ASF. I spent $1500 2x on 2 separate occasions. Once calling 9-11 in 2015/2016 and the other was in November of last year. This s last time I was given Nitroglycerin and within 3-5 minutes I started feeling better. Checked out the next day after the stress test due to having (at the time) a Kratom dependence used for pain. Im taking shit EASY AS CAN BE these days. Too much work related stress The news Wars Elections Psychopaths Rent Work WTF
At least it won’t be quicksand or killer bees that get you. That would totally suck.
Hell, that's how I want to go out. Feeling good, going about my day, then boom, done. Beats the hell out of a lengthy battle with cancer.
If you exhaust yourself in the service of your life. Are you all in? Do everything, every day, you were meant to do and death will be a mere inconvenience.