The Widow Maker Heart Attack

By a heart attack survivor for heart attack survivors

Archive for July, 2010

Heart Attacks can be our friend…..but probably not

Jul 30

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Heart Attack Medical Information Blog, Official Heart Attack Loved Ones Blog, Official Heart Attack Survivor Blog | 1 Comment

Up until the moment I realized exactly what was going on in my life roughly 24 hours after my heart did I have any clue that I was out of shape, unhealthy, eating not so good, stressed out, and prone to a heart attack. I chronicle in my book all my observations from the moment I flat lined the first time till the first anniversary, it took like I said in the book roughly 24 hours to realize what type of trouble I was in.  In the book “The Widow Maker Heart Attack at age 48″ I convey nearly every feeling both physical but also mentally related to suffering the Widow Maker. As I sit here watching the United States Senate debate the extension of the SBA funding I think to myself just what the 10% survival rate and 90% fatality rate really mean and how lucky I was to be part of the 10%.

To have flat lined six times I realize that in fact my percentage to survive was probably more like 1% than 10%. Makes me wonder whether I should go power-walk for another mile or two. :-) Having just completed my 40 sit ups and 40 push ups and 2 mile power-walk I feel pretty tired but none the less probably a great deal better now than I would have been if I had not suffered the heart attack. While I thought at the time I was in pretty decent shape I must admit that I was not in as good a shape as I should have been at the time. I would like to think I would have started to work out even if I did not suffer the Widow Maker, I realize now that the urgency would not have been there.  Life of death motivation has a real profound motivation factor. Wow.

So I guess that is why I say that in fact Heart Attacks can be our friend, but at this very moment when my arm, stomach, and leg muscles are fatigued I question the thought. Later however whey the ache goes away…I once again will feel heart attacks can be a blessing in disguise.

For all the people who are busy reading wsj.com, aol.com, cnn.com, google.com, msnbc.com and think they are not a prime candidate to suffering a heart attack when you “think” you are healthy and active….   I ask you one thing. If you think you have an elevated level of stress… you are a damn fool to think it could never happen to you.  I know… I did … prior to March 31, 2008.

Patrick Fox

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Widow Maker Heart Attack Rule

Jul 29

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Eliminating Congenital Cardiovascular Defects Blog, Official Heart Attack Loved Ones Blog, Official Heart Attack Survivor Blog | 7 Comments

The American Heart Association has a statistic that states only 10% of those suffering a widow maker heart attack survive the heart attack. I guess with that statistic in mind I have come to the realization that fighting for something important is now a obligation rather than an option. I can’t help but feel that all widow maker heart attack survivors should find their passion and do everything in their power to make the vision happen.

In recent weeks and months we have lost some very special people to the widow maker heart attack that held influential position in the USA. I am saddened every time I hear the words widow maker heart attack when it is disclosed the cause of death. I for one have a great deal to accomplish in life and I would implore all widow maker heart attack survivors to make their lasting impact.

Patrick Fox

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Attention: President Obama

Jul 16

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Official Heart Attack Survivor Blog | No Comments

In the past you have done what it takes to meet at times of crisis and found away to convince those involved to take a fresh look at their differences. Yes I am speaking about the historic Beer Summit. While the media may have panned that approach to diplomacy it was creative and effective to say the least.

The time has come for yet another creative and effective approach to consumer confidence. It is my opinion that consumer confidence will improve when high school aged children/students begin to find a compelling and rewarding vision of what could and should exist in their future. While I have to admit that I have a predisposed taste for Coors Lite, I would propose instead that you and I have a “Lets Play Catch Summit”.

I would suggest that it is time to create “now” a level of confidence for our young people forward. While it may be a goal to have all high school graduates to pursue a four year education, the reality is something quite different.  I would propose that our “Catch Summit” focus on igniting a grass roots effort at exciting young high school aged children.  I would propose a conference on how this could and should be done. Lets not focus on the “why not” or “no way” attitude but rather “how fast”.

I look forward to hearing from you President Obama. I will bring the ball for the summit as we discuss the solutions to the lack of USA confidence among our young Americans.

Regards,

Patrick J. Fox

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George Steinbrenner rest in peace

Jul 13

Posted by Patrick J. Fox in Official Heart Attack Survivor Blog | 1 Comment

Love George Steinbrenner or hate him, history will show that what he has done for MLB is far more than any one person has done.  I just discovered on www.cnn.com that Steinbrenner had suffered a massive heart attack and passed away.  Steinbrenner was not a young man or even a terribly fit person, but none the less did not deserve to pass as he did. Once again, it sounds like yet another statistic has been added to the fatality figures associated to the “widow maker heart attack”.

The sad reality of this passing is that it more than likely did not have to take place. For the most part the widow maker heart attack can and usually is something that can be avoided. Perhaps, George in his passing will motivate other persons to take necessary steps to avoid this massive and sudden heart attack. I can only hope that his major stars realize just because they are stars does not make them immune to this very serious cause of sudden death. Just because a person is able to hit home runs, make sparkling plays in the outfield or infield, or perhaps stealing bases does not provide a proof positive of cardiovascular health.

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