Reena Caprario thought she was having indigestion, but doctors found a near-fatal artery blockage that nearly took her life. The 55-year-old mother of two had a history of diabetes and lung cancer, and despite her symptoms, she didn’t think much of it when back pain and acid reflux began to plague her last May.
Caprario’s discomfort was familiar – she had experienced similar gastric symptoms after her lung surgery. However, the pain escalated over the course of a week, radiating from her neck, jaw, and upper arm, and even reaching down to her hand. She refused to believe she was having a cardiac episode, saying “Google became my doctor for a moment.”
Thanks to an EKG and blood work at AdventHealth Apopka, Caprario was diagnosed with a 99% blockage in her left circumflex artery. The piece of plaque had detached, severely limiting blood flow.
According to Dr. Harmony Reynolds, director of the Sarah Ross Soter Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Research, heart attack symptoms don’t have to feel like they do in movies. Early symptoms often include a warning sign that blood flow has become limited, which may not be painful at all but rather uncomfortable. Pain can occur anywhere between the jaw and belly button.
Dr. Linus Wodi, Caprario’s treating cardiologist, noted that her artery blockage location made the situation more complicated due to its proximity to the coronary artery. Severe blockages have a high likelihood of fatality, and Caprario’s case could have been fatal if she waited longer to seek medical care.
Caprario underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention, which successfully cleared the blocked artery and placed a stent to prevent further blockage. After several months, she feels better than ever and is focused on spending time with her family and returning to athletic activities.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/indigestion-cardiac-symptom-heart-attack-artery-blockage