by Marijo Phelps

Created on: March 06, 2010   Last Updated: March 08, 2010

Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) or Esophageal Spasm?

It started out being a really good day – we splurged at breakfast and had bacon, something we usually didn’t do. I was on my way to get my hair a bit curlier with a perm.

“Hi, please have a seat, would you like some specialty coffee with creamer?”

“That sounds yummy, Linda, thanks.”

A bit later, what with the twists and turns and laying down backwards into the shampoo bowl I was having some gastric reflux. Not a fun thing but I had overdone it a bit on the fats that morning.

Perm was finished and I got into my truck. As I began the drive home it felt like a hand had reached into my chest and was twisting and squeezing. I also had pains radiating up my jaw. As an RN, the thought crossed my mind that I might be having a myocardial infarction (heart attack) and that I should not be going home but to the emergency room. Being a typical RN, relatively stubborn regarding our own health issues and not believing it could really happen to me, I drove home.

(I will go on record here saying get evaluated right away, please do not do as I did)

Somewhere in this process I decided to take an antacid. Just about as soon as I swallowed and it “hit bottom” I felt relief, the pain subsided in the chest and in my jaw and teeth.

I called my MD the next day and she said it sounded like an esophageal spasm BUT didn't want to be overlooking something cardiac and sent me for a full cardiac workup including treadmill stress EKG and the works.

Turned out my heart was fine and it was an esophageal spasm. Apparently the combo of the fats and the caffeine in the delicious coffee set things off in a grand way.

Fast forward. I am working at a fairly large office. The young man across the cubical from me is having chest pains. I am thinking this young husband and father is way too young to be having cardiac issues. He is in the middle of a complete cardiac work up. The doctors were scratching their heads so far.

You almost never saw “Mark” without a can of Mountain Dew in his hand. He loved the stuff. Morning, noon and night it was never too early for a Dew, just ask him.

“Mark, I have a challenge for you regarding your chest pains.”

“Man, I am so miserable I would try just about anything, what are you thinking?”

“Think you could stop the sodas for about two weeks? Maybe you could wean off so the headaches wouldn't be so bad but get off and

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