“Don’t ignore any signs; if you feel anything (and you know your body better than anyone), trust that and go with it"
This is the advice from Nicholas (Nick), a young man who suffered a heart-attack seven days ago – the only warning signs, heartburn and palpitations in the two days prior.
“Even if you think you might be being dramatic, your health isn’t something to play with,” said Nick.
On the third day experiencing these symptoms, Nick woke his partner, Jason, with additional chest pain and tingling in his arms; he knew something didn’t feel right.
After presenting at Eastern Wimmera Health Service in St Arnaud, Nick underwent tests and soon went in to cardiac arrest before eventually being air-lifted to Bendigo Health, where he underwent emergency heart surgery. A stent was inserted into one of the main arteries at the back of his heart which was completely blocked.
“You might think, oh I’ve just got heartburn. But the heartburn could be the start of your heart attack,” Nick said.
Jason admits that he was a little sceptical about taking Nick to the hospital initially.
“I myself was a bit apprehensive about attending hospital. I’m so glad we did because it was the right choice. You’ve got to read your body and if you don’t feel right, don’t hesitate,” said Jason.
After seven days in hospital, Nick was discharged yesterday.
Reflecting on his experience, he is forever grateful and indebted to the staff that helped save his life, both at Bendigo Health and Eastern Wimmera Health Service (St Arnaud).
“They’ve possibly still given me a long lease on life, that I could still be here in 25 years’ time, living happily,” Nick said.
Staff who were part of Nick’s care at Bendigo Health have regularly checked in with him, taking the time out of their day to come by and chat.
“The team at Bendigo Health took over and they’ve just been miracle workers; I can’t speak highly enough of the team,” said his partner Jason.
“It just speaks volumes for the characters of the staff here, they go above and beyond; they really do care.”
Nick got to meet the man that worked on him and saved his life, Dr Voltaire Nadurata, Director of Cardiology and Head of the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab) at Bendigo Health.
“It was beyond overwhelming to have the person standing in front of me that was responsible for me having a future, having the future with my partner and getting to see my family again,” he said.
“I’m just feeling really optimistic now about the future.”
Clinical Nurse in the Cath Lab, Isabelle, was part of Nick’s treatment team.
“It’s important that people seek medical advice,” she said.
The warning signs to be mindful of include:
It is important to note that not all heart attacks are the same and symptoms can vary, with symptoms often presenting quite differently between men and women.
“If you have the classic symptoms, if it’s a new onset – don’t wait. That's the key, it’s best to be assessed,” Robyn, Associate Nurse Unit Manager for Cath Lab added.
If you experience any of these warning signs, regardless of age, seek medical advice as soon as possible. Every minute counts and getting an assessment can increase your chances of survival.
For more information and resources, visit https://bendigohealth.org.au/page/3644
Additional information can also be found at the Heart Foundation Australia, https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/