‘My chest cramps were a cardiac episode’
JEN Stevens from Edinburgh collapsed after a heart attack at the age of 42.
A ‘cardiac episode’ was diagnosed by doctors at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary thanks to a new test, developed through research funded by the BHF.
Mrs Stevens said: ‘I was having symptoms for six weeks before it happened. I remember a crampy feeling across my chest and being out of breath.
‘I never for one moment suspected a heart attack. I thought it was a bit of stress or a chest infection. When I was taken into hospital, I didn’t know at the time I was getting a troponin test.
‘Within ten minutes, a nurse told me I’d had a cardiac episode. One of my arteries was almost completely blocked.’
She added: ‘I have now made a complete recovery. I’ve changed my lifestyle and would advise anyone that if they’re worried, please get it checked out.
‘I was incredibly lucky. It could have been very different.’