96% Confidence – My Heart Attack

Remember when being in the 90th percentile was a bragging right? Scoring 96% on a math test? I used to walk around like a boss, knowing I was 96% above average, 96% closer to hitting the target. Triumph was mine for the taking.

But let me tell you, when I had a heart attack, 96% took on a whole new meaning – a double-edged sword. That number suddenly became a lot to think about.

The Calculations

Let me turn on my “geek” training for a moment. Statistically, a 96% confidence level means there’s only a 4% chance that this is not true.

Laying on the cold slab of the procedure table in the Cardiac Cather Lab (Cath Lab), my arms pulled out to the sides, like I am on a cross, it was impossible for me to whip out my calculator.

I thought about shopping. More specifically, shopping on sale. If something is 96% off, I wonder how damaged it is; why didn’t it sell? Have you ever seen a 4% sale advertised? On a big purchase, say a half-a million-dollar home (which used to be a lot of money but not so much for a home anymore), a 4% sale would save me $20,000! But let’s get real, that is maybe a once in a lifetime purchase.

A 4% sale on even an expensive sweater of $100 is just $4. Would I wait for a 4% sale to buy that sweater or just get it when I need it, it’s in stock and available. Yes, that’s a rhetorical question. I’d buy the sweater.

So, trust me, when your doctor is explaining that your artery is 96% blocked, and is about to put a tube in your heart, that 96% is the mathematical proof that the Doctor can say with confidence, “I’m pretty damn sure this would have killed you.” I took a shallow breath, said a quick prayer and said yes to the procedure because who waits for the 4% sale?

The Trip from 69 to 96

Let’s talk numbers. 69 had been showing up in my life for some time. It was everywhere – my home address, my soulmate’s birth year, even the weight of my goldendoodle. It became a comforting constant.

On that hot day in August, the universe decided to flip the script. Suddenly, 96 became the number of the hour, starting with these chilling words: “You have a 96% blockage in your right artery.” At that moment, I knew if I hadn’t dragged myself to the ER, that 96% could have been the death of me. Literally.

Now my lucky number is 96!

What Were My Symptoms?

Subtle, very subtle. My recent blog Stretch and Kvetch: Yoga for the Realist details my latest attempt to get back into shape after a particularly long period of laziness. For me, it was a dull ache in my back that came and went. It was non-eventful, I blamed it on yoga. Yeah, that damn downward dog strikes again. I always lean a little too hard into that position. It feels good while doing it and then I pay the price after.

All the other symptoms I could easily write off.

• Light Headiness = I never drink enough water.
• Unusual Fatigue = I wake up to pee every few hours, so a good night’s sleep is a thing of the past and being tired is par for the course.
• Heartburn = Way too many fresh tomatoes from my garden bounty.
• Pain in the back of my arms = again attributable to yoga, tree pose or too much cobra or the usual culprit downward dog.

But then came the clamminess – an unusual, unsettling sensation that I couldn’t just brush off. It was the only symptom I couldn’t explain away with a glass of water, a good night’s sleep, or that I had eaten too many garden tomatoes.

Trust me, a heart attack doesn’t feel like the dramatic chest-clutching scenes you see on the big screen.

The Mayo Clinic and other leading sources say that women experience pain differently because we tend to have blockages not only in our main arteries but also in the smaller ones that supply blood to the heart. In my case, a 96% blockage in the smallest of arteries.

Since women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, we are more likely to ignore the pain or, as I did in my case, downplay it. Clammy was too unusual for me to ignore.

According to most medical research, although men and woman have attacks at the same rate, women are significantly more likely to die from a heart attack. This is due to women often experiencing different symptoms than man and how heart attacks are portrayed in the movies and media. Women’s symptoms go ignored or, if you do go to the doctor, are mis-diagnosed. I am postulating 96% more likely. And back to the numbers game.

What Did I Learn?

Much more, than I want to plus a healthy reminder to act when in doubt.

Trust Your Intuition

Your intuition is smarter than you think. It’s the little voice that doesn’t care about statistical significance – it just knows when something’s wrong.

I had no clue what was going on, but I knew it was different from anything I have ever felt before. Not second guessing and over analyzing highlights the importance of trusting your gut feelings and inner guidance. When something feels off, it’s crucial to pay attention, even if the symptoms seem minor or can be easily explained away.

Prioritize Health Over Convenience

Did I want to drive the 15 minutes to the emergency room? I thought if I just went home and laid down, I would feel better. We all believe that in theory. We want that to be true, that the fast food, skipping a workout and putting off a doctor’s appointment, isn’t going to kill me, right? Sure, I’d have rather gone home and laid down and hope it passed. Having the perspective and the gut intuition and then taking the action driving to the ER – that thought that turned to action saved my life.

Taking the initiative to recognize unusual symptoms and go to the emergency room took some effort and a lot of work to fight the urge to dismiss them. This action saved my life.

Know the Signs

Women’s heart attack symptoms aren’t what you see on TV or in the movies. Don’t wait for a dramatic clutch of the chest – learn to recognize the subtler signals.

This is worth repeating: It turns out, women experience heart attacks differently. We’re more likely to feel vague symptoms like fatigue, back pain, or nausea – things we often ignore. And because of that, we’re more likely to die from them.

What’s the difference between life and death? Trusting your gut, even when the signs seem minor or, worse, non-existent. Educating yourself and others about these differences can be lifesaving.

Listen to Your Body

The symptoms I experienced (like back pain, fatigue, and clamminess) were subtle but significant. Learning to listen to your body and recognize when something is wrong is crucial. Listen to your body. It whispers before it screams. If something feels off, pay attention.

Seek Medical Help When in Doubt – Get Help, Stat

When in doubt, don’t hesitate. Seek medical attention. Fear, embarrassment, cost, don’t let them stop you. My decision to seek medical attention despite the uncertainty was vital. This underscores the importance of not hesitating to get professional help when experiencing unusual symptoms.

Take Care of Yourself – Try to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Sure, exercise is great but balance it with self-care. And when your body sends you a warning, don’t ignore it. Regularly engaging in activities that support cardiovascular health, such as yoga, can be beneficial. However, it’s equally important to balance exercise with proper self-care and attention to any warning signs your body may send. We are old enough to know there is no perfect, but not trying is lazy. Willingness is a key ingredient to all endeavors that are worthwhile.

What’s Next?

Share this story, because even if 96% of you don’t heed this advice, we might just save a life or two. And if you’re in that last 4% and think it won’t happen to you, statistically thinking that is no way to live.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How well do you pay attention to your intuition? Has it saved you from a physical threat, such as a heart attack? Do you recognize the signs of a heart attack in women? Would you hesitate to visit the ER if you noticed any of the symptoms?