OP-ED: What's It Like To Live With Heart Disease

The emergency room staff moved in normal fashion as I bit my lip from crying out again in pain. I had an elephant on my chest and that sucker was making me tired. The doctors were sure that I was yet another young woman having a panic attack.

I knew better but I was hoping that was true too. It wasn't the first time. My heart likes to have mini spasms at times. They hurt like the dickens and my adrenaline soars so it appears I am in a state of panic. The doctors didn't listen though, they of course saw a woman in her very early 40's who was basically within weight levels and otherwise healthy. Then my doctor called in from the office and asked them to give me a dose of nitro. Things changed fast as the nitro did it's job. Thing about nitro is it doesn't faze a panic attack.....heart pain is a different story. And so was my treatment at the hospital that day after the nitro. I hate nitro. It gives me the worst headache you can imagine. My blood pressure goes too low also so I have to be laying down when I take it. Luckily enough the times have been few and far between. I found out when I was 38 that I had heart problems. They stem from having Scarlet Fever when I was 18. I am anal about strep tests for my kids because of that. A simple test and the right treatment would have stopped the problems I have from the get go. My life hasn't really changed though. I eat less salt. I attempt to control my caffeine. I rest........when I should.......sometimes. I have kids so sometimes I rest for longer than I could have if I listened to my body to begin with. Truth is if you have a condition you deal with it. I adjusted some basic things in the beginning and have fit my life around my heart stuff. I take a pill every night. I know it's a life long thing and I don't forget. I take my BP when I feel funky. I rest when I feel pain. And other than that I live. Full throttle because you really don't know when you have to slow it down. And life is about living after all!