A few weeks back, started noticing chest tightness during my daily stationary bike exercise. As a seasonal (Feb-Mar) asthmatic, I broke out the inhaler and continued to exercise. Then began noticing the same symptoms during my morning walk with the dogs

First and foremost, I am so glad you caught the problem in time and now doing well.

I am sure symptoms vary from person to person, but I would like to know...how long did the chest tightness last? Did it come and go while pedaling the bike and walking the dogs? Or did the tightness last until you were at rest?

I have heard many times that it is easy to think it is heartburn or indigestion.

David

5 or 6 stents.I had started to notice a shortness of breath even walking on flat ground. that led to a triple bypass almost 3 years back. Spent 8 weeks in the hospital due to some unexpected events. h No more smoking or drinking since
The Dr said i would not have made it another 2 weeks without a full blown blockage. Pay attention to your body

First and foremost, I am so glad you caught the problem in time and now doing well.

I am sure symptoms vary from person to person, but I would like to know...how long did the chest tightness last? Did it come and go while pedaling the bike and walking the dogs? Or did the tightness last until you were at rest?

I have heard many times that it is easy to think it is heartburn or indigestion.

David

A few weeks back, started noticing chest tightness during my daily stationary bike exercise. As a seasonal (Feb-Mar) asthmatic, I broke out the inhaler and continued to exercise. Then began noticing the same symptoms during my morning walk with the dogs. Uh oh.

Went to see my regular doc. He checked me out, EKG, xray, blood work, no apparent issues. He sked me for a cardiac stress test. Couple nights before the stress test, began experiencing chest discomfort, not quite pain, when laying down to sleep. Off to the ER. Arrive approx 0130 Sunday, 15Mar, and noticed tent nearby with security guard at entry to ER, screening for Covid symptoms. Told him chest discomfort and quickly escorted to ER. They admit me right away and hook up EKG. All normal except high BP, 165/90.

Remain in ER until moved to cardiac floor about 0300. Later that morning they did echo and xray, no significant findings. Cardiac troponin blood test was marginally elevated. Sked me for angiogram on Monday am. After nurse lowered bed to prep for angiogram, with me in supine position, began experiencing chest pain. Gradually got worse until the head portion was raised. Then carted off to cath lab. Cardiologist came in for pre-op and I explained the history, including the supine symptom. Might have been my imagination but looked like his light bulb went on when I mentioned that symptom.

Was mildly sedated during the angiogram, watched the display, but couldn't make any sense about what was going on. At my request, they elevated my upper body during the procedure. As I was returned to my room, I lowered the bed to supine position and virtually held my breath...no pain

Discovered later cardiologist had placed a 3.5mm x 26mm stent in the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery. He said there was 99% blockage. For reference, I'm 71, male, in fairly good condition (resting pulse of 56). No previous major health issues. Back in my 30s I mucked up a knee and chose rehab vice surgery. Since that time I have done daily stationary (and when younger, regular) bicycle workouts, usually for 30-45min. In my 50s I was doing occasional 50mi rides. Cardiologist indicated that degree of LAD blockage is often fatal, hence the "Widowmaker" label. He believed my exercise regimen likely played a role in surviving the blockage.

My advice to those reading this is, regardless of age, work on your aerobic exercises, it may save your life. A direct piece of advice from the cardiologist, there is no such thing as chest tightness or discomfort, treat these symptoms as chest pain and take action. He said he's seen too many heart attacks described as chest discomfort.

Absolutamundo, pay attention. Glad you made it through.

Glad you made it and yes, you were lucky. Excellent advice also.
My younger-by-21 months brother was having really bad chest pain but was going to ignore it. Fortunately his daughter had stayed home from work. She noticed how bad he looked and drove him to the hospital about 4 mi. away. They took him to surgery immediately. Doctor told him he had the "Widowmaker" and was extremely lucky that his daughter got him to the hospital so quickly. Told him he probably wouldn't have made it through the night.

Several years ago I had some chest pain one evening that was getting worse the longer I sat there. Started getting bad enough I started to get up and wake my wife to take me to the hospital. When I put my arms down on the recliner to get up, the pain almost completely went away. Raise my L. arm back up and pain returned. I decided it was just a new version of the pain I have from L. shoulder replacement surgery. Turned out I had blood clots. Doctor (actually several) told me I was extremely lucky also.
We definitely need to listen to what our body is trying to tell us.



Tim