I Had A Heart Attack Today

[thelongshoot]

im writing this from icu at petchaburi hospital, driving back to hua hin i had crushing chest pains made it to nearest hospital and after a bunch of tests confirmed. Im only 39 years old lying here in icu pretty terrified to be honest.

what do i do now.... i dont want to stay here. can i go to bangkok hospital in hua hin tomorow and spend a few days in vip room there. will i have toi have same tests again? will i have to stay in icu there for three days?

i have no insurance but i can afford to pay for a few days in hospital no problem so no issues there.

i just dont know what to do now. My plan was to simply drive to hua hin tomorow report to Bangkok Hospital HH show them any docs etc i have from my stay here today and hopefully just check in with them for a few days while they observe. I surely dont need to spend 3 days in icu do i? its like 50K a day at BKK hospital for ICU i can pay it if i have to but obviously would rather not.

My heads in a bit of a mess with what to do jesus for all i know i may even have another attack tonight...... I am even able to drive my car from petchaburi to hua hin tomorow?

Sorry for bad grammer etc i am lying in bed typing one handed.

Please help.

[KhunNene]

Sorry pal, I do not know what to say, I can not help you more than to tell you to keep calm, I feel you are horrified, but just think, you are not at all able to drive. I can only suggest if you need to get away to hire an ambulance or a limo, but no way you should just drive by your self. I wish you the best, sorry I can not give you a better counsel.

[Mike45]

I know your scared but your getting medical treatment so stay where you are until the cardiologist tells you that you can leave. Then you can get a second opinion wherever you want. Stay calm and try to relax.

[endure]

Take heed of what your Doctor tells you and don't even think about driving until you've been told it's safe to do so. You'd be putting more than your own life at risk.

[StefanBBK]

Sorry man. Please stay as calm as you can. Dont stress. May I suggest to remain where you are an when released transfer your file to Bangkok hospital.

Get well soon!

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Mrjlh]

I'd at least contact your embassy and let them know of your status. They may not be able to do anything except contact family for you. Or they may be able to send someone to help you get back to Hua Hin too.

Ask someone to drive your car and you back. Offer to pay their bus fare and for their time. A 1,000 baht should do it. Because what happens if you have another attack and kill some one?

[Ijustwannateach]

From a price point of view you're in a better place right now, as long as the doc seems to know what he/she's doing. Definitely you want to stay there until they say you're as stable as possible, and then NOT drive (taxis will make deals) to somewhere you can spend more time recovering. If you're from a country that offers public health care to its citizens, now might be a good time to consider returning there as soon as medically possible.

You should be aware that, not having insurance, you are now in a position where you will be unable (more or less ever, I suppose) to acquire insurance in Thailand for your heart issues, which could lead to very expensive hospital stays over time. Once again, if you are from a country which has public insurance, now would be a good time to make sure that is set up properly for you.

Edited March 24, 2013 by Ijustwannateach

[hansje1980]

Take care and don't rush things, you are in good hands now!

Btw, icu really 50k/day @ bkkhospital-huahin ???? I thought 30-40k...

[ozzydom]

From a price point of view you're in a better place right now, as long as the doc seems to know what he/she's doing. Definitely you want to stay there until they say you're as stable as possible, and then NOT drive (taxis will make deals) to somewhere you can spend more time recovering. If you're from a country that offers public health care to its citizens, now might be a good time to consider returning there as soon as medically possible.

You should be aware that, not having insurance, you are now in a position where you will be unable (more or less ever, I suppose) to acquire insurance in Thailand for your heart issues, which could lead to very expensive hospital stays over time. Once again, if you are from a country which has public insurance, now would be a good time to make sure that is set up properly for you.

As someone who has been there ,done that, I concur with this post.

Heart attacks dont just happen,there will be some underlying reason and determining the reason and having appropriate treatment is a priority.

It may be a partial artery blockage which can be treated by an Angioplasm (having a stent fitted) which in itself is a fairly simple procedure,but it could be something more serious.

In Thailand an Angioplasm procedure will run you to more than 500,000 baht .

I chose to return to Oz where I had the procedure the same day I arrived under Medicare and was back in LOS a week later.

A heart attack is not a death sentence and with proper treatment and ongoing medication you can expect to live a full and productive life.

[lopburi3]

Although Angioplasty with stints could be that much in many cases it is less. Mine with two stints was 300k total at Vejthani Hospital in Bangkok and if just an opening with balloon believe highest priced hospitals charge about 200k from reading there web sites. May only be one night in ICU (or maybe none) for this procedure if all is well.

As said even if released do not drive yourself - cheap enough to hire someone to drive you to get you car there and he can return by bus having made some money. Good luck.

[Sheryl]

It is essential that you have continuous monitoring of your heart rhythm for several days as sudden arrythmias (abnormal heart beats) can occur. In an ICU/CCU environment these are promptly treated, otherwise they can lead to sudden death.

Out of the question to leave and drive yourself anywhere. You can be safely transferred only by ambulance.

A transfer to a pvt hospital at this stage is probably not a good idea as you are uninsured, it will run to big money. Assuming you are in the government provinical hospital at petchaburi, you should stay there until you have stabilized.

After that you are going to need an angiogram (if not done already) to determine the state of your coronary arteries and whether additional intervention (surgery or stents) is warranted to avoid an additional infarction (heart attack). And this in turn may lead to very expensive treatment so indeed if you have access to free care in your home country might at that point want to consider flying home, assuming you are stable enough to do so (the cardiologist treating you can advise on this).

If you do want to be transferred anywhere (by ambulance) taking into account your medical needs and lack of insurance, I would recommend Siriraj Hospital, a top tertiary level government hospital. Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin does not have the capacity to manage this ype of problem and if you went there they would want to transfer you to their Bkk branch anyhow.

[FBN]

Agree with Sheryl here..

In any situation like this, ask the hospital to transfer you by ambulance with an escort if you are stable enough in the treating doctor's opinion. Hospitals outside of BKK generally have no objection to arrange this; especially hospitals within the same group as with the Bangkok group of hospitals.

[thelongshoot]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply.

Christ I feel a bit silly now because actualy I now know it wasnt a heart attack.

The first doctor that I seen told me it was. He said there was something in my blood which indicated heart attack and my symptoms matched a heart attack also, so that was his conclusion. I posted here not too long after as, bizarley, they alowed me to use my laptop in ICU. The nurse went to my car to get if for me so that I had stuff to watch while I was lying there.

I felt so ill and sick that I could only imagine that he was correct in saying I had had one.

In the morning, a cardiac specialist came to see me and asked me a bunch of questions. He said he didnt think I had had one. He said that my ECG had been normal for the last few hours and also the fact that it hurt when i took a deep breath indicated something else. He had me on nitro glisterine (which gave me an amazing headache by the way) and took me off as, again, he thought it was pointless.

he diagnosed pericarditis, but that was not a conclusive diagnosis. he said "he thinks" thats what it is but could not be certain. I have an appointment with him this Friday and hopefully I will have a better idea.

Im sorry for the initial alarming post..... I genuinely was told I had just had a heart attack and I was lying there in the bed thinking what the heck do I do now. As it turns out I had one day and night in ICU, followed by one day and night in standard VIP room and I was out by Tuesday.

To be honest, there is still a part of me that thinks maybe I did have a heart attack. It was sudden, and massivley painfull, and right in the center of my chest. My BP was 220 over something and my blood indicated heart attack so I still believe there is a chance that I may have had a minor heart attack. I just hope the doctor is correct in diagnosing pericarditis. Ill know more on Friday when I go back and see him.

Thanks again to everyone, much appreciated.

[endure]

Glad to hear that you're getting better. Hope everything goes well on Friday.

[harrry]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply.

Christ I feel a bit silly now because actualy I now know it wasnt a heart attack.

The first doctor that I seen told me it was. He said there was something in my blood which indicated heart attack and my symptoms matched a heart attack also, so that was his conclusion. I posted here not too long after as, bizarley, they alowed me to use my laptop in ICU. The nurse went to my car to get if for me so that I had stuff to watch while I was lying there.

I felt so ill and sick that I could only imagine that he was correct in saying I had had one.

In the morning, a cardiac specialist came to see me and asked me a bunch of questions. He said he didnt think I had had one. He said that my ECG had been normal for the last few hours and also the fact that it hurt when i took a deep breath indicated something else. He had me on nitro glisterine (which gave me an amazing headache by the way) and took me off as, again, he thought it was pointless.

he diagnosed pericarditis, but that was not a conclusive diagnosis. he said "he thinks" thats what it is but could not be certain. I have an appointment with him this Friday and hopefully I will have a better idea.

Im sorry for the initial alarming post..... I genuinely was told I had just had a heart attack and I was lying there in the bed thinking what the heck do I do now. As it turns out I had one day and night in ICU, followed by one day and night in standard VIP room and I was out by Tuesday.

To be honest, there is still a part of me that thinks maybe I did have a heart attack. It was sudden, and massivley painfull, and right in the center of my chest. My BP was 220 over something and my blood indicated heart attack so I still believe there is a chance that I may have had a minor heart attack. I just hope the doctor is correct in diagnosing pericarditis. Ill know more on Friday when I go back and see him.

Thanks again to everyone, much appreciated.

Very glad you are out and on the road to recovery. Would it be too much to ask you to post the costs here and whether public or private as a guide for others of us who may have to make decisions in the future.

[Sheryl]

If you had had a heart attack, their would be permanent indication of it in your EKG.

From what you describe the cardiologist is applying good diagnostic criteria. I'd advise sticking with him through follow up.

[NancyL]

Perhaps this is a good wake-up call for the OP. Time to get health insurance and think about lifestyle issues that could contribute to a heart attack in the future. Also, as mentioned, a good time to think about an "exit strategy" if return to the home country in a hurry is needed.

[thelongshoot]

Thanks again for replies.

The two days in Petchaburi hospital cost 40,000 baht.

I also had a day in Hua Hin hospital today. I spent all morning couging really severely to the point that I could hardly breath. I figured the two things are related and went to HH hospital. They put me in emergency room. ECG, BP, blood test and ex ray of chest/lungs all normal. They simply just said I have a heavy cough due to broncil infection but are leaving me here for observation.

Im starting to think I am being a proper drama queen about it.... The doctor today said i seemed fine all over apart from cough. <deleted>? Am I imagining all of this? Hooked up to life support machines in ICU all for nothing? Seriously?

[Sheryl]

AFAIK Hua Hin Hosp does not have cardiologists. I would put more weight on what the specialist at the provincial hosp told you. Pericarditis can cause cough. I woudl urge that you keep the f/u appt at Petchburi to be on the safe side.

BTE you were not hooked up to "life support" machines. Just cardiac monitoring. There is a big difference, and a period of cardiac monitoring for someone with an episode of chest pain is standard practice and one that can avert many deaths.

[hansje1980]

By HUa Hin hospital does everyone mean the Bangkok hospital in Hua Hin which is the best by my knowledge in the area?

[briboy]

mate, stick with the cardioligst no matter what, if he can`t sort you out with meds etc (IF REQUIRED) he will send you on to a surgon, been there, have a tripple by-pass as well as a pacemaker now and never felt better for years and am now 3/4 years down the track and 6 monthly check ups, <deleted> stay with the cardioligst until he tells either way

[JLCrab]

Perhaps this is a good wake-up call for the OP. Time to get health insurance and think about lifestyle issues that could contribute to a heart attack in the future. Also, as mentioned, a good time to think about an "exit strategy" if return to the home country in a hurry is needed.

You will be asked on health insurance applications questions such as 'Have you been admitted to a hospital in the last 5 years? If so, why?' which will require different answers today than might have been the case just 2 weeks ago.

[tutsiwarrior]

my understanding is that treatment for pericarditis can require major surgery so that you may want to heed what has been said about home country state provided medical arrangements...my source was an extremely fit young logger associate in the US NW woods who had had the operation so that the prognosis can't be too bad...

the condition is a virus that inflames the percardium which is a membrane that envelopes yer heart and that affects a lot of young people...he was in a military training facility when he got sick...

Edited April 4, 2013 by tutsiwarrior

[jrtmedic]

The majority of cases of acute pericarditis recover within 3-4 weeks using prescribed medication.

A small minority of patients usually those with an unusually severe disease process or those with recurrent (or relapsing) pericarditis will be extremely ill and may indeed need heroic treatment ---I must stress however that these cases are few and infrequent.

I would urge the OP to follow the advise given by Sheryl in an earlier post.