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General health

Heart attack symptoms? Or just me being silly...?

91 replies

wrinklyraisin · 01/04/2013 18:23

My OH is upstairs in bed. He's been unwell since last night, bad indigestion he said, and feeling like he might throw up. We ate the same food (pretty heavy on the fat content yesterday!) so I don't think it's good poisoning. He says it hurts right below his chest bone, like a bad stomach ache. He's overweight, but usually quite active. Today he's been out of breath going up and down the stairs. His face is quite flushed but more purple than red iyswim? He's also quite clammy and sweaty on and off, but no fever. He insists he's ok and just needs to sleep. I'm worried its more serious... My instinct is erring on the side of caution but I don't want to be a paranoid fool if its just a tummy bug.

Anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
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QueenOfCats · 01/04/2013 19:20

I would err on the side of caution and get him checked out.

The clammy thing would worry me.

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Jollyb · 01/04/2013 19:23

I would call 999

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PhilMckrakin · 01/04/2013 19:23

A and E as soon as you can all of those symptoms ring alarm bells. You should always err on the side of caution with chest pain.

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OhThisIsJustGrape · 01/04/2013 19:25

Could it be gallstones or a problem with his gall bladder? Eating fatty food can trigger an attack I believe.

Prob best to ring NHS direct and see what they say, hope he's feeling better soon and that it's nothing serious OP.

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PaschalFancy · 01/04/2013 19:30

Wot they all said ^^. Definitely better to err on the side of caution.

A&E or at the very least NHS Direct (but only if the wait isn't too long - I imagine they'll send you to A&E anyway with that list).

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LittleTyga · 01/04/2013 19:31

Can you feel his pulse? If it is irregular it could be a heart attack. If you call nhs direct they will advise you. It does sound like it could be to me for what it is worth.

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Maat · 01/04/2013 19:32

I was thinking gallstones / gall bladder also.

My mum got rushed into hospital with excruciating chest pains one Christmas Day night following a day of eating lots of fatty food / cream etc.

It turned out to be problems with her gall bladder which she eventually had removed.

Either way - he needs checking out. I hope he starts to feel better soon OP.

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lemontwist · 01/04/2013 19:41

Get him seen asap. It may be nothing serious but the combination of symptoms could be pointing to a heart attack. You don't have to be keeling over clutching you chest. Chest pain, shortness of breath and clamminess would get you seen sharpish in a&e.
Hope its nothing but please get him looked at.

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Jollyb · 01/04/2013 19:43

NHS direct will (and should) tell anyone complaining of chest pain with associated breathlessness and clamminess to call an ambulance. Gall bladder and cardiac pain can be very similar.

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FancyPuffin · 01/04/2013 19:43

999

Please. Could be nothing, could be something...

My dh was one of the 'somethings'

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lemontwist · 01/04/2013 19:43

Meant to add-don't feel silly calling 999 for something like that. Its exactly what they are there for.

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MrsHoarder · 01/04/2013 19:47

With chest pain they would rather see someone even if half an hour on an ecg rules out a heart attack. 999 time...

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Umanayana · 01/04/2013 19:47

With those symptoms, I would be calling an ambulance. It may well be gallstones, or just food poisoning but my FIL had all those signs and had a massive heart attack. I do hope it's nothing serious OP but please get him checked over. Good luck.

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IamtheZombie · 01/04/2013 19:47

Definitely 999.

Zombie's late DH had 3 heart attacks which he ignored. She witnessed the 3rd one and it was just as you describe. DH did live for another 12 years, but it could have been much longer had he sought medical help sooner.

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FancyPuffin · 01/04/2013 19:47

I should add that dh is fine now.

Re-reading my post it sounds a tad dramatic [bublush]

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Lucyellensmum95 · 01/04/2013 19:51

Please call someone, get that stubborn fucker to the hospital ASAP - they will not think you are being silly, it is what they are there for. FWIW i am betting on gallstones but there are too many red flags for my liking, id get him checked.

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cupofteaplease · 01/04/2013 19:55

My dad had bad indigestion, was clammy and disorientated. Within an hour he was dead from a heart attack. Please get him checked out ASAP, even if he's not overly concerned.

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Jollyb · 01/04/2013 19:56

I'd still get him checked over. Some people can have heart attacks with surprisingly few symptoms.

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digerd · 01/04/2013 21:14

My dad too, but he was 75 and had these symptoms plus others for a year.
Culminated in 2 weeks of sweating, losing the strength in his legs, could hardly breathe while walking, had a pain in his upper stomach and felt he had to be sick, but wasn't.
His was a blood clot which stopped the flow of blood to his heart muscle. He died suddenly in bed. Dad was not overweight and had been a very fit man.

Get him checked. Red in his face is a sign of blood pressure being very high.
Good luck

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Kormachameleon · 01/04/2013 21:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Badvoc · 01/04/2013 21:18

999
Now

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Bluelightsandsirens · 01/04/2013 21:18

You really should dial 999 they will send a para in a car at the very least and check him out at home.

Best safe than sorry and all that.

Sick and clammy are signs as well as arm and jaw ache and a feeling of impending doom.

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cece · 01/04/2013 21:20

I agree, get him seen. My dad died earlier this year after suffering clamminess, breathlessness and red face. Turned out to be a massive heart attack.

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QuickLookBusy · 01/04/2013 21:21

Hope everything is ok wrinkly

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Chugnut · 01/04/2013 21:25

Please call 999 my DP had the same symptoms last week, was fine for periods then in pain and even saw theGP who said nothing was wrong. I called OOH on the third time who called the ambulance. DP had had a heart attack and is recovering after having a stent fitted.

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