Post by 1dave on Feb 17, 2018 10:50:32 GMT -5
I've been down with pneumonia for a week with a tightness in my upper chest. Yesterday afternoon I slumped, my eyes blurred, and the pain in my chest increased. As the day wore on, the pain increased in my right upper chest and began to radiate down my right arm.
That's not right! It is supposed to be the left arm. It was a very uncomfortable night with some pain moving into the left side and arm, but remaining predominantly in the right side and arm.
Finally around 6 this morning I opened for the first time the bottle of nitro pills prescribed for me in 2011 - before my open heart surgery stents and aorta valve replacement.
"dissolve ONE under the tongue every 6 minutes up to THREE per episode."
So far 2 has provided enough relief.
What are they going to do for me besides spend money? I'll se a doctor for some medications.
All I can see is the daily aspirin already required.
That's not right! It is supposed to be the left arm. It was a very uncomfortable night with some pain moving into the left side and arm, but remaining predominantly in the right side and arm.
Finally around 6 this morning I opened for the first time the bottle of nitro pills prescribed for me in 2011 - before my open heart surgery stents and aorta valve replacement.
"dissolve ONE under the tongue every 6 minutes up to THREE per episode."
So far 2 has provided enough relief.
You have probably heard about the little white nitroglycerin pills that heart disease patients slip under their tongues when they experience symptoms of a heart attack.
The effects of nitrates taken under the tongue, as sublingual nitroglycerin, only last about 5 to 10 minutes or so. Longer-lasting nitroglycerin and other nitrate compounds also can be taken to prevent angina — chest pain. Chest pain or pressure can occur when the heart is not getting enough blood. It is a common symptom of coronary artery disease or heart disease.
“Nitroglycerin also is given to some patients with chronic or congestive heart failure, particularly in combination with hydralazine," a blood pressure medication, says Christopher P. Cannon, MD, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School
How Does Nitroglycerin Work?
Nitroglycerin can alleviate chest pain by relaxing the muscles in the walls of the blood vessels, causing them to dilate. Opening or widening blood vessels results in improved blood flow to the heart. “Also, by dilating veins, nitrates reduce the flow of blood returning to the heart, which reduces the workload or pressure placed on the heart,” Dr. Cannon says.
For best results, take nitroglycerin in the morning on an empty stomach. Having a nitrate-free period overnight can help avoid your developing a tolerance to the medication (where you do not see as much of a benefit), which can be an issue, Cannon advises. Never chew, crush or open nitroglycerin capsules.
Side Effects of Nitroglycerin and Other Nitrates
Headaches, sometimes severe and resembling migraines, are very common when starting a nitroglycerin regimen. But most people find they go away after the first few weeks.
The effects of nitrates taken under the tongue, as sublingual nitroglycerin, only last about 5 to 10 minutes or so. Longer-lasting nitroglycerin and other nitrate compounds also can be taken to prevent angina — chest pain. Chest pain or pressure can occur when the heart is not getting enough blood. It is a common symptom of coronary artery disease or heart disease.
“Nitroglycerin also is given to some patients with chronic or congestive heart failure, particularly in combination with hydralazine," a blood pressure medication, says Christopher P. Cannon, MD, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School
How Does Nitroglycerin Work?
Nitroglycerin can alleviate chest pain by relaxing the muscles in the walls of the blood vessels, causing them to dilate. Opening or widening blood vessels results in improved blood flow to the heart. “Also, by dilating veins, nitrates reduce the flow of blood returning to the heart, which reduces the workload or pressure placed on the heart,” Dr. Cannon says.
For best results, take nitroglycerin in the morning on an empty stomach. Having a nitrate-free period overnight can help avoid your developing a tolerance to the medication (where you do not see as much of a benefit), which can be an issue, Cannon advises. Never chew, crush or open nitroglycerin capsules.
Side Effects of Nitroglycerin and Other Nitrates
Headaches, sometimes severe and resembling migraines, are very common when starting a nitroglycerin regimen. But most people find they go away after the first few weeks.
Act Fast
Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don't wait - call 911 or your emergency response number.
Call 911
Calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.
Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don't wait - call 911 or your emergency response number.
Call 911
Calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.
What are they going to do for me besides spend money? I'll se a doctor for some medications.
Where were you when you had your first heart attack? It's an experience you'll never forget — and one you never want to repeat. After a first heart attack, most people go on to live a long, productive life. However, around 20 percent of patients age 45 and older will have another heart attack within five years of their first.
Don’t wait for a second; make preventing another heart attack your first priority. Here are five things you can do:
Take your medications as prescribed. Certain medicines can greatly lower your risk of another cardiac event. That's why it's important for you to understand your medicines and take them correctly. Learn about how to manage your medications.
Attend your follow-up appointments. Attending your follow-up appointments will help your doctors keep track of your condition and recovery. You can make the most of your time with your doctor by preparing for your appointment.
Participate in cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to help you recover after a heart attack. You should have received a referral to cardiac rehab when you were discharged from the hospital — if you did not, ask your doctor about it. Learn more about cardiac rehab here.
Get support. It is normal to feel scared, overwhelmed or confused after a heart attack. Getting support from loved ones or from people who have also had a heart attack can help you cope. Connect with other heart attack survivors and caregivers through our Support Network.
Manage your risk factors. After a heart attack, it is important to manage risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes by taking medications, quitting smoking, eating healthy food, and getting active. Find out more about managing your risk factors.
Don’t wait for a second; make preventing another heart attack your first priority. Here are five things you can do:
Take your medications as prescribed. Certain medicines can greatly lower your risk of another cardiac event. That's why it's important for you to understand your medicines and take them correctly. Learn about how to manage your medications.
Attend your follow-up appointments. Attending your follow-up appointments will help your doctors keep track of your condition and recovery. You can make the most of your time with your doctor by preparing for your appointment.
Participate in cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to help you recover after a heart attack. You should have received a referral to cardiac rehab when you were discharged from the hospital — if you did not, ask your doctor about it. Learn more about cardiac rehab here.
Get support. It is normal to feel scared, overwhelmed or confused after a heart attack. Getting support from loved ones or from people who have also had a heart attack can help you cope. Connect with other heart attack survivors and caregivers through our Support Network.
Manage your risk factors. After a heart attack, it is important to manage risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes by taking medications, quitting smoking, eating healthy food, and getting active. Find out more about managing your risk factors.
All I can see is the daily aspirin already required.