Contrary to what some people may tell you, I have a heart.

I have proof from a stress test and an echocardiogram performed in the cardiologist’s office last month.

The tests are the result of a September visit to the emergency room at Merit Health River Region after complaining to my wife about chest pains. Fortunately, my pains were the result of overdoing it on our multifunction exercise bike. Also, fortunately, the tests I had last month were negative for any problems.

But in early September, it was a different story.

I was in our bedroom moving a few things around when I felt a very sharp pain move across my chest. Now muscular pains, even in the chest, are not new to me, who has a habit of over exercising and overdoing a lot of other things that can cause pain somewhere in the body. But this was a different type of pain — enough to cause me to be concerned. And the fact that it didn’t subside quickly really concerned me; enough to want to take that trip to the emergency room.

Anyone who knows me well knows I do not like to go to hospitals and emergency rooms, even as a visitor. So when I told my wife I was having chest pains and wanted to go to the emergency room, she knew I thought it was something serious. As I was getting myself ready to go, my wife and daughter peppered me with questions: “Do you have pain in your left arm?” “Do you have shortness of breath?” “Are you nauseous?” On the way to the hospital, they continued asking me questions.

At the emergency room, I learned two things right off the bat. When you tell the nurse or clerk at the desk you’re having chest pains, they move you up the list. I also learned they take the complaint very seriously. An electrocardiogram was one of the first tests I had after being admitted back. I also had an X-ray of my heart and blood drawn for tests, all of which proved negative.

I followed up with my doctor, who got my appointment with the cardiologist, who ordered the stress test and the echocardiogram.

Given my family history, I was very fortunate. My father died from a heart attack at age 60, and heart disease is prevalent on his side of the family. Looking back, I sometimes wonder if I acted rashly, but I’m glad I went, and I’m trying to break a lot of bad habits to hopefully ensure I don’t have to make another trip to the emergency room for chest pains.

I was lucky. I guess my mother’s persistence after my father’s death 35 years ago that I take an aspirin a day was a contributing factor.

And I’ll tell anyone that if they have chest pains, get them checked out; don’t gamble that they’re nothing. You don’t want to learn the hard way that they’re not.
John Surratt is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. You may reach him at john.surratt@vicksburgpost.com