Today is the 15th anniversary of having my heart attack

Posted by Shaneblaster@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 29 comments

I was only 43 when it happened. And I am the guy in amazing shape. But it forever changed my life. I proposed to the woman I was dating at the time and blended our two families together. And I gained two daughters (who I’ve adopted) and consider myself very blessed. Now that I’m approaching 60, having my heart attack, in a weird way, was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I am a lucky man.

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Biff199o@reddit

Congrats on making healthy changes. I somehow dodged the heart attach in spite of trying really hard (drinking and eating way too much). Got a wake up call climbing stairs in September - 90% blockage. We aren’t getting any younger - drinking less, eating right and staying active are a must!

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ancientastronaut2@reddit

Congrats dude!

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RevToy@reddit

Congratulations!! Glad you're still with us, and glad to hear about everything you gained afterwards.

I had mine on June 17, 2020, at 42 years old. That was a great slap in the face, wasn't it? The 24 years as a smoker was not the best idea; my quit day was June 21, 2017, so now I split the dates and celebrate surviving the heart attack and quitting smoking on June 19th.

I now go to the gym 4-5 times a week, eat way better, and finally doing the things I've always wanted to do. Learned to ride a motorcycle at 45, and got my Ducati at 46. Now scuba diving, and next up is skydiving....all with my loving and encouraging wife of nearly 25 years supporting me.

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Anonymo123@reddit

52 yesterday and my dad had his 1st at 51.. though he was smoking since he was 14 and agent orange in vietnam, etc.

I did do a heart calcium scan a year ago to hopefully give me an idea, it was clear. Living alone\single at the moment so a "widowmaker" scares the crap out of me.

Congrats on surviving and thriving OP!

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Krick7938@reddit

Love this thanks for sharing

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gnortsmracr@reddit

It’s going to be 11 years towards the end of the month that I had mine (I was 41). Family history but no previous issues. It was pretty weird because I honestly thought it was heartburn. I even drove myself to the hospital. Weirdest thing is I was sitting there, chatting with the staff. Also, everything was normal— EKG, BP— but my blood work was completely out of whack. By 9pm that evening I was going back to my room with a stent put in.

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One-Pepper-2654@reddit

I joined the stent club 10 years ago at 50. I feel great!

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One-Pepper-2654@reddit

COngrats! I'm 60 and just celebrated my 10 year heart attack-ersary! Going to hit the gym for about an hour after work. Weights and Cardio!

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onions-make-me-cry@reddit

Oh boy. I can't say the same about lung cancer, which happened when I was 43.

But congrats nonetheless, man.

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ApprehensiveSmell995@reddit

A true warrior!

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MaximumJones@reddit

You won life my friend!!!

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slade797@reddit

Yup, I have it marked on my calendar.

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Ray_The_Engineer@reddit

I will draw no comparisons, nor render no judgments. You're a rock star my friend, and that's all there is to it.

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DianaPrince2020@reddit

Just had my heart attack 3 weeks ago. Flatlined on the table but I’m here and trying to reconfigure everything. I know what’s important now in a way I didn’t before. I don’t want to abandon my Mister. So threw out the smokes and vapes. Back to eating for health (which I’ve done for the majority of my life) and next is to start exercising again. I still can’t believe it happened. I am taking everything slowly because mentally this has been wild: scary, sad, grateful, traumatizing. I just gotta do what I can to be here. I cannot stand the thought of leaving my Mister or my 3 sisters or my nieces and nephews. The young ones still need me. I’m going to do everything I can to make it to my 15th anniversary too.

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Mindless-Baker-7757@reddit

My dad had one at 45 and the stroked at 59. Thankfully I’m 55 and pretty healthy.

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ennuiismymiddlename@reddit

It’s crazy how a near death experience will do that. I’m 46, and It only took me getting diagnosed with end stage pancreatic cancer to put everything in perspective. I was diagnosed a few weeks ago. They tell me I have about a year left, more or less. Instantly the scales fell away from my eyes and I see what’s truly important, and what isn’t. All the trivial stuff I wasted energy and time on for years, it all means nothing.

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slylabninja@reddit

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. If you can get to the Mayo clinic in Rochester MN, they made a miracle happen with my good friends Mom who was also diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I didn't think it could be cured, but they did it.

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DianaPrince2020@reddit

I’m sorry. So sorry. I hope you get to do the stuff that does mean something to you.

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BSTXUSA@reddit

Send prayers for peace and comfort 🙏

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BSTXUSA@reddit

Send prayers for peace and comfort 🙏

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Shaneblaster@reddit (OP)

I am so sorry 💕💕

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Howcanitbeeeeeeenow@reddit

Glad you made it and turned it around! Congratulations! I was 43 too when Covid nearly took me out 6 years ago. I was pretty overweight and generally not healthy. I’ve said it to anyone who’ll listen, I wouldn’t recommend a month unconscious and another month in the hospital rehabbing and all the other trauma I dealt with. But it gave me a unique perspective where I truly understand how fragile life can be. Today I’m about 90 pounds lighter than before and much more active and healthy. I can’t change what happened but it can inform me and that’s invaluable.

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BSTXUSA@reddit

So glad you got through it and are alive and well!

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memur9@reddit

Damg, approaching 50 in a month.... if i had a heart attack today I fear id just give up. I have 3 wonderful kids, not expecting grandkids ever, and would be thankful the wife would actually have to do something around the house. But in reality, id be shamed into doing too much, watching savings disappear and the kids eating door dash shit regularly(or more than usual daily intake). The wife's mental issues have ruined me, she doesn't get it, but had i left 20 years ago the kids would be screwed up worse than they are. I wish that depression, especially after child birth, wasn't a thing and that doctors weren't obligated to medicate said depression. I used to be active, create things, and care in general. But alas, wishing for a break is all I have. Be it a vacation alone, heart attack or death.... I have no choice but to carry on. And as usual, it's somehow the fault of the able bodied, somehow "normal" person to take on the burden. But i am so glad to hear you found your way. I genuinely am happy for people who can live the life they deserve. And no, im actually ok being where im at. Made my bed and am sleeping on the couch, lol.

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