Sudden Cardiac Death

[The High Heat]

Michael Jackson's death has been reported as being Sudden Cardiac Death. This is the same condition that caused the death of my brother-in-law, age 40, three weeks ago. In both cases, each had feeling poorly in the days leading up to their deaths. I believe my brother-in-law may have had at least one heart attack before dying of SCD. It may have been a heart attack that finally caused him to call 911 before he died in the emergency room not two hours later. In the E.D., he was in pain, but alert. Then it was like an internal switch flipped off and he died instantly, despite the overwhelming effort to keep him alive.

 

SCD and heart attacks are not the same thing, but heart problems can lead to SCD. My brother-in-law thought his recent breathing problems may have been the onset of asthma, as his sister had been diagnosed with asthma only recently; so he had no thought of possible heart problems. He smoked alot, had poor diet, a lack of exercise, and no desire to seek medical treatment for his subtle, yet increasing health issues. He thought it would get better and he'd be alright. Now he's dead.

 

Michael Jackson was reported to have issues with his lungs. My brother-in-law complained about his lungs and occasionaly gasped for breath. I heard him do this six weeks before he died, but he just downplayed its importance when I asked him what the hell THAT was.

 

Men over 30 are especially vulnerable to SCD. Please read up on symptoms and other info, and don't be stubborn. Get treatment. In many cases, people can survive a heart attack. Sudden Cardiac Death features the first and last words: Sudden Death. Survival is rare.

 

 

 

Sudden Cardiac Death

[isadorah]

i'm going to add a bit to this, if you are experiencing health problems and don't get answers from your doctors, get a 2nd opinion. if something doesn't feel right, that means it is not right and only you truly know what is "normal" for your body. i have countless stories of misdiagnosis that could have proven fatal if it hadn't been for persistence and 2nd (and 3rd) opinions.

[marino13]

I had some heart arrhythmia problems a few years ago. Twice I went through extensive tests. The conclusion was that I had "some minor electrical problems" with my heart and that I should just go on with my life as normal. I will go long stretches without even thinking about it, but then I will hear a story like MJ's or my heart will skip a beat and it scares the crap out of me. I told my wife last night that she needs to learn CPR to keep my blood pumping until a paramedic could get there on the rare chance something would happen.

 

Author, sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. The last time this happened to me, an ambulance took me to the ER while my heart raced out of control. You just assume the worst couldn't happen, but sometimes it does.

[isadorah]

I had some heart arrhythmia problems a few years ago. Twice I went through extensive tests. The conclusion was that I had "some minor electrical problems" with my heart and that I should just go on with my life as normal. I will go long stretches without even thinking about it, but then I will hear a story like MJ's or my heart will skip a beat and it scares the crap out of me. I told my wife last night that she needs to learn CPR to keep my blood pumping until a paramedic could get there on the rare chance something would happen.

 

Author, sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. The last time this happened to me, an ambulance took me to the ER while my heart raced out of control. You just assume the worst couldn't happen, but sometimes it does.

 

 

ugggghhh. don't you love it when doctors tell you that (go on with life as normal). i had 80/40 range blood pressure for 5 months and was told 1) it was psychological 2) if it drops to 80/40 and i don't feel good to go to the ER. trying to function with BP that low is not easy. being not thrilled with this diagnosis, i went got a 3rd opinion and it turns out, the arteries in my neck make a funky "s" curve that is not supposed to be there and if i hold my head the right way, i cut off the flow of blood to my brain. i have my follow-up next week to find out if anything can be done, but already expect the "just don't sleep on your right side" advice.

 

vibes to everyone.

[Sir Stewart]

Condolences on losing your brother in law, Author.

[The High Heat]

Condolences on losing your brother in law, Author.

 

Thank you, Sir Stewart, for the condolences. And thank you, as well, Marino. Please take Isadorah's advice and find the answer you need. Even if your wife learns CPR, it won't help much if you go into arrest. My brother-in-law went into arrest in the E.D. while the doctors and nurses we're trying to stabalize him to keep him from going into arrest. If they can't stop it from happening in the hospital before it happens, your wife's effort may be futile. It's kind of like flipping the power switch off to you house, except it's your body. Once it's off - it's off.

 

There's alot of people here asking for vibes and that's fine if you need it. All I ask for is perspective of life and what's important. My sister not only lost her husband on June 1, 2009, she also lost her only child on September 11, 2008. He was a Army PFC in Afghanistan and he took a bullet for America. My sister is proud of her son, but his loss stills hurts more than one can imagine. A year ago, she had a home with a husband and a son. Now she lives alone in a big, empty house.

 

Be grateful for what you have, especially your health. Take care of yourselves, folks. It may not be that a big deal to you, but be assured that it matters most to the people you hold dear.

 

Peace ~ Michael