Experiencing Pain During a Heart Attack or Stroke: An Eyewitness Account
Heart attacks and strokes are among the most serious medical emergencies, but do they always come with pain? My experiences with both conditions provide some insights into the pain or lack thereof associated with these events.
The Experience of a Heart Attack
On my 60th birthday, a heart attack hit me unexpectedly. After a few hours of increasing discomfort, starting as a mild discomfort in my upper back and left shoulder, the pain quickly escalated to a dull ache in the center of my chest. By the time the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) arrived, it felt as if I had a 300-pound ice skater pressing down on my sternum. A single shot of fentanyl was needed to ease the intense pain.
Living Without the Red Flags
Not everyone experiences pain during a heart attack or stroke. While I endured significant pain, not everyone does. I’ve personally experienced both a heart attack and a stroke, and in neither case did I feel pain. Let me share my story:
Heart Attack—No Pain, No Signs
The only indication that a heart attack was occurring came from the medical tests I underwent. During one of my scans or tests (likely an MRI), the doctors noticed the damage. I had no noticeable symptoms, no chest pressure, and no pain. This lack of warning signs made it crucial to rely on the diagnostic tools available. The heart attack was discovered serendipitously during these non-invasive procedures.
Stroke—Sudden Onset and Complete Daze
Some four years later, a spontaneous bleed in the right temporal lobe of my brain occurred suddenly, leaving me with no prior symptoms. The day began normally as I went to grab breakfast at a bagel shop before heading to the library for job hunting. As I stood waiting to get my drink, my right side went numb and tingly. At first, I thought I might have pinched a nerve, but the feeling didn’t subside.
I managed to return to my table and pick up my food, but as I was putting it back down, the entire right side of my body went out on me. I collapsed to the ground, with my food and drink falling with me.
If I had not remembered the unusual tingling, I might have laughed it off as a temporary, harmless symptom. However, it was clear something more serious was happening. The manager called 911, and soon I was in a ambulance, undergoing a series of tests that led to the realization I had suffered a stroke.
The Aftermath and Lessons Learned
The aftermath of my stroke was a reminder of the long-term effects such an incident can have. I still experience numbness and tingling throughout my right side, extending from the top of my head all the way to the bottom of my foot. While hand function remains the most severely affected, I consider myself fortunate that the stroke didn’t have more severe consequences.
My experiences underscore the importance of recognizing the severity of sudden neurological symptoms, even if they initially seem minor. Pain, if present, can be a warning sign, but in many cases, the lack of pain does not mean the event is less serious. It’s crucial to seek medical attention without hesitation.
These personal stories offer a glimpse into the complex relationship between pain and these life-threatening medical conditions, demonstrating that while pain can be a symptom, the absence of pain does not necessarily indicate the absence of danger.