The Attack on my Heart 62 Questions & Answers
Question 63 - Is an attack on a heart a preview to the last breath of a human life or a personal notification of human mortality or a profound incentive insight for self-improvement?
Who attacked your heart?
>I attacked my own heart. I blame only myself.
Why was your heart attacked?
>I have a propensity to commit to a negative emotional reaction and be hypertensive to stress and distress. I tend to be more emotional based than logic based. Many prior bosses have critiqued my work and opined that I worry too much about small details.
What attacked your heart?
>My personal failure to insulate myself with protective non-emotional mechanisms in order to shield against trespasses from those who trespass against me. My past failure to constructively deal with inconsiderate infringement of bad behavior, words, actions committed by those who do not care about me.
How was your heart attacked?
>A blocked artery also known as a myocardial infarction severely restricted the flow of blood that brought oxygen to my heart muscle. Atherosclerosis developed slowly over my lifetime as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and blood cells formed a plaque blockage in my artery.
Were there any heart chest pain warning signs prior to the attack on your heart?
>Yes, on Friday early afternoon, October 21, I felt a very sudden onset of distinctly odd, uncomfortable, mild chest pain while rushing to cross the street near my home on my way back from getting my weekly allowance at an ATM in Minsk. I immediately stopped rushing across the street however the heart chess pain persisted. The chest pain slowly dissipated in the afternoon and was completely gone while watching the jealous husband comedy 1964 movie, “Kiss me, stupid” starring Dean Martin.
Did you perform any physical activity on Saturday, October 22?
>No, I watched movies all day. I was tempted to rake leaves on a nice day however I was inclined to be lazy all day.
When was your heart attacked?
>On Sunday, October 23 just after midnight, I felt a distinct deep-rooted pressure placed upon my heart. I had a salty post exchange on the Edward Slavsquat substack posting board while also checking news articles on the internet. I read a news article about beginning evacuations from the city Kherson across the Dnieper river. I was disturbed about innocent people forced to make a difficult choice of leaving all possessions including home and job behind or risk Ukrainian interrogation filtration. I went to bed at 1:30 AM.
Where was your heart attacked?
>At home and in bed, the heart pressure incrementally severely increased. Unable to sleep, I decided to get up out of bed and take aspirin.
What happened when you got out of bed?
>At 2:30 A.M., I fainted when I reached the bedroom doorway. Fortunately, I woke up to an embrace by my guardian angel who braced my sudden collapse. I felt hot and sweaty and then I composed myself and rested back in bed.
What happened when you got out of bed the second time?
>At 2:45 A.M., I slowly navigated downstairs, took two 325 milligrams aspirin tablets and proceeded to rest on the couch by the landline phone. The aspirin had no effect since the heart pressure pain only increased.
When did you decide to go to the hospital?
>Just before 6:00 A.M., I knew I had to wake up my trusted agent for transport by car to the hospital since the heart pressure pain only got worse. I prepared toiletries and comfortable clothes to go with me.
How did the heart chest pain feel?
>My heart pain felt like an elephant standing on my chest. I also felt intense deep-rooted pressure in the center of my chest. I had a personal pain level of 8 out of a maximum 10 threshold.
Were you ever fearful of death when feeling this tremendous pain?
>No. I was well prepared for my inevitable future death. My living trust was official that authorized my mother and sister to gain access to my USA bank account. (my father is already deceased.) My bank account and social media passwords were written down and provided to my trusted agents. Also, my conscience was clear since no dirty laundry and no skeletons were in my closet. Finally, I felt at peace since I lived a good pleasant life.
Why did you not call an ambulance?
>Although an ambulance is free for everyone in Belarus, an ambulance would take me to the nearest hospital. My trusted agent could drive me to the best hospital in Minsk. The car ride to the hospital took about 30 minutes with no traffic so early on the Sunday morning.
What happened when you arrived to the emergency department at the hospital?
>My trusted agents helped me quickly register with my Belarus permanent resident identification and were my translators. My blood pressure was quite high 161 over 101. An electrocardiogram showed borderline abnormality. One small nitroglycerin tablet given to me quickly dissolved with fizzle under my tongue with no relief. Two more nitroglycerin tablets were given to me and quickly dissolved however I immediately felt nauseous and vomited into a zip lock bag that my trusted agent had ready for me. I also gave blood for test analysis. After approximately 30 minutes (6:30 AM), I was admitted to a hospital room.
What happened while staying in the hospital patient room?
>I was given a slow drip infusion solution of nitroglycerin that stabilized my heart chest pain at a lower level of 4 out of a maximum 10 threshold. At 6:30 PM Sunday, I was asked to take off my clothes and then I was transferred onto a portable wheeled gurney with a warm sheet covered blanket over me.
What happened during the transport to the operating room?
>On the way to the operating room, I saw a bathroom and pointed. The nurse told me to stay on the gurney so I rolled over and I relieved myself in a plastic urine bottle detached from the side of the gurney. I was then taken down on the elevator to the basement hallways to the operating room. I was then transferred from the portable wheeled gurney with a warm sheet covered blanket over me onto the operating table.
How was your heart pain before the start of the medical procedure?
>The heart pain was stable and tolerable and still very uncomfortable at the same time. I had a pain level of 4 out of a maximum 10 threshold.
Did you ask questions to the doctor before the start of the medical procedure?
>Yes. I asked him what was going to happen and how long the medical procedure would take. The doctor understood and spoke English. The doctor told me that he was going to first apply anesthesia thru my wrist, then inject an iodine contrast dye, take a look at my arteries, and insert a stent if necessary. The doctor also told me the whole procedure would take 30 minutes.
Did the doctor communicate with you during the stent medical procure?
>Yes, only when necessary. He told me that I had a nearly 100 percent blocked artery and he was going to insert a stent to open the blockage. I was awake and alert during the whole stent procedure.
Did you feel anything during the stent procedure?
>I felt a quick sharp needle insertion into my right wrist that lasted about 2 seconds. I also felt a splash of blood upon my right wrist. The stent procedure was without additional pain. I also felt a small tube sliding through my right arm that was withdrawn at the end of the stent procedure.
What happened at the end of the stent procedure?
>A wrist band tourniquet with a round knob clicking mechanism was tightened around my right wrist. I was transferred from the operating table to a portable wheeled gurney with a warm sheet covered blanket over me. Then I was transported to the intensive care recovery room with 3 other patients and a nurse stationed at the desk. I was then connected to vital signs monitoring equipment.
Did you still feel the heart chest pain at the end of the procedure?
>Yes, however I had a lower pain level of 2 out of a maximum 10 threshold.
How long did you stay in the intensive care room?
>Approximately 14 hours until 9:00 AM Monday morning.
How did you feel upon leaving the intensive care room?
>Upon waking up, I felt zero pain. I expressed my thankfulness and exclaimed to the doctor that feeling zero pain was a miracle to me. I felt fine without heart chest pain during the entire first recovery day on Monday, October 24.
Where did you go after leaving the intensive care room?
>I was transported on a portable wheeled gurney with a warm sheet covered blanket over me through the basement hallway. And then the nurse took me up on the elevator to the cardiac floor where my assigned patient room was located.
How long did you stay in the cardiac patient’s room?
>Ten days from Monday October 24 to Thursday morning November 3.
How would you describe the cardiac patient’s room?
>I shared the room with 3 patients. Each patient had a waist-high cabinet for storage of personal items with a flat top that was located adjacent to the head of the bed. A sink with a mirror was also in each room.
What was routine during your 10 days in the cardiac patient’s room?
>I followed the same routine every day. At approximately 7 AM, a nurse gave me two blood thinner injections on either side of my belly button for 7 days (Monday October 24 to Sunday October 30). At 7:30 AM in the morning, a nurse took temperatures of all the patients. At 8:30 AM, breakfast was served inside the patient’s room placed on the cabinet surface top. Prescription tablets in a small glass bottle was also placed on the cabinet surface top. At 9:30 AM, the cleaning lady cleaned the room. At 10:30 AM, two cardiac doctors conducted blood pressure examinations and answered concerns/questions. At 1:30 PM, lunch was provided along with prescription tablets in a small glass bottle. At 3:00 PM, an electrocardiogram was performed. At 4:30 PM, the cleaning lady cleaned the room again. At 5:30 PM, dinner was provided along with prescription tablets in a small glass bottle. At 7:30 PM at night, a nurse took temperatures of all the patients. At 10:00 PM, the hallway corridor lights were dimmed down.
How did you spend your time during these 10 days in the cardiac patients’ room?
>I stayed in bed approximately 98 percent of the time. I reflected and contemplated the best good times in my childhood teenage years mostly at Dracut, Massachusetts where I played various outdoor activities.
Were cardiac patients required to wear masks?
>No. I never wore a mask the whole time I was in the hospital. Cardiac patients could voluntarily wear masks. However, a patient was instructed to wear a mask if a patient showed symptoms of an illness. Incidentally, used masks were not to be thrown in the trash. Instead used masks were placed in a plastic tub filled with an alcohol solution.
Were any other diagnostic tests performed after the stent procedure?
>Yes, on Tuesday, October 25, at approximately 1:00 PM, I was transported down the hallway corridor in a wheel chair for an echocardiogram ultrasound. I was instructed to lay on my left side. This ultrasound was the longest (around 15 minutes) and most uncomfortable that I ever had. The technician pressed firmly down with pressure on my chest to obtain readings. This echocardiogram ultrasound showed how well blood flowed through my heart's chambers and valves.
How did you feel after that echocardiogram ultrasound?
>Approximately three hours later, I felt slight pain under my left breast, under my right breast, and at a diagonal point midway between my right breast and my right armpit that lingered until Wednesday night, October 26. When I woke up Thursday morning, October 27, the slight pain was gone. The cardiac doctors attributed the pain to muscle, bone, and tissue due to lying down in bed in the same position for an extended period of time. Also, the cardiac professor confirmed the stent procedure was a complete success and this particular pain was muscle and tissue against the rib bones. Although I also conjecture that the uncomfortable ultrasound may have also contributed to my temporary minor pain.
Was there anything in particular that Americans may find different while staying in a Belarus hospital?
>Yes, all patients were required to bring their own private toilet paper roll to the bathroom. Also, all patients were required to respect the request to throw all soiled toilet paper in the trash can and not in the toilet. The hospital requirement was due to the soviet era septic system. I am personally easily accustomed to this particular request because I mastered the soiled tissue paper folding technique and follow the same procedure at home due to the septic tank.
How was sharing the patients’ room with 3 other men?
>Overall fine. However, I was disturbed by the other patient’s cell phone ring tones. Sudden loud outbursts of these ring tones immediately increased my blood pressure and pulse rate and also caused adrenaline anxiety attacks that lasted 3 seconds. My trusted agents translated my request for my room mates to switch their ringtones to an airplane vibrate mode however only one patient room mate respected my request. The only other annoyance was particular patients’ periodic loud snoring during the night.
What food was served?
>Breakfast food included a boiled egg or egg omelet with traditional porridges (Манная каша, пшенная каша, перловая каша, овсяная каша, гречневая каша)//(oatmeal, buckwheat) served on a round metal plate. Lunch food included soup (borscht/red beet) served in a round metal bowl with cabbage salad, peas, beef chunks or meatballs served on a round metal plate. Dinner food included mashed potatoes with boned fish or boned chicken. White and rye bread was served with every meal.
Were visitors allowed?
>No and yes. Visitors were not allowed to visit because of the COVID policy. However, my trusted agents knew how to navigate the hospital system and visited me anyway. Visitors were required to wear masks however my very healthy trusted agents who visited me only wore the mask on their chin. Visitors were allowed to help the patient carry personal items during the final check out of the hospital.
How much did the emergency department medical test treatment, stent procedure, the 10 day patient resident stay in the hospital, tablet medications, and food cost?
>Everything is free. All medical care is provided for free for citizens and permanent residents of Belarus.
Were you given an option other than going home after the 10 day stay at the hospital?
>Yes. With a cardiac doctor’s recommendation on my application, I was accepted for rehabilitation at the best rehabilitation center in Belarus.
How were you transported from the hospital to the rehabilitation center?
>I received free transport sitting up in the back of an ambulance along with another patient who was lying down.
How did you check in to the rehabilitation center?
>I registered with my Belarus permanent resident identification on Thursday, November 3.
How was the patient’s room assigned to you?
>A nurse provided a wheelchair for me and used the elevator to take me to the 6th floor reserved for cardiac patients. I was randomly assigned to an open available space in a two-person room.
How would you describe the cardiac patients’ room at the rehabilitation center?
>Rooms varied from an one patient private room for an additional cost fee to free rooms that were for 2, 4, or 5 patients. Each patient had a waist high cabinet for storage of personal items. Each patient had tall cabinets for additional storage and coats. An adjacent narrow front room with two sinks with mirrors that included one shower on one side and a toilet on the other side was connected to each patient’s room.
How did you get along with your roommate?
>Terribly awful. Boris (his real name) understood English however he used a translate application on his cell phone to respond to me. When Boris found out that I was an American, he assumed I supported the opposition to the Belarus government. I corrected Boris and told him that I supported President Lukashenko. I asked Boris why he does not appreciate the free hospital care and free rehabilitation provided by the Belarus government. Boris responded that all countries provide health care to their citizens and would not let people die on the street. I responded that many Americans pay high insurance premiums and some Americans go bankrupt. At this point I realized that I was talking to a brick wall. I told Boris I would request to change rooms and told him not to talk to me anymore. Boris then called me crazy in English and swore at me using English expletives. During this confrontation, I could feel my blood pressure elevate dramatically.
Was your room reassignment request granted?
>Yes, the next day, Friday, November 4, one of my trusted agents left work early in the afternoon to help me arrange a change in room assignments. I was reassigned to a 5-patient room with less privacy however I had much better room-mates. I made very good friends with one of my new room-mates who is an intelligent man employed in a management position at a microchip company in Minsk. He also spoke and understood English fluently with keen historical and current events knowledge.
How long were you scheduled to stay at the rehabilitation center?
>18 days from Thursday, November 3 to Friday, November 18.
What was the routine at the rehabilitation center?
>At approximately 7 AM, a nurse provided prescription tablets in a folded piece of paper inscribed with the time to be taken and also took the temperature of all patients. At 8:30 AM, breakfast was served in the dining room. A long, extended couch within view of a large flat screen television is located adjacent to the dining room for patients waiting for an empty dining room seat. At 10:00 AM, my assigned cardiac doctor took blood pressure examinations and answered concerns/questions. At 12:30 PM, lunch was served in the dining room. At 1:00 PM, patients were required to go to their assigned nurse station to receive their prescription tablets. At 2:00 PM, the cleaning lady cleaned the room. At 5:30 PM, dinner was served in the dining room. At 6:00 PM, patients were required to go to their assigned nurse station to receive their prescription tablets. At 8:00 PM, a nurse took the temperature of all patients. At 10:00 PM, the hallway corridor lights were dimmed down.
What food was served at the dining room?
>Breakfast food included a boiled egg or egg omelet with traditional porridges (Манная каша, пшенная каша, перловая каша, овсяная каша, гречневая каша)//(oatmeal, buckwheat) served on a round metal plate. Lunch food included soup (borscht/red beet) served in a round metal bowl with cabbage salad, peas, beef chunks or meatballs served on a round metal plate. Dinner food included mashed potatoes with boned fish or boned chicken. White and rye bread was served with every meal.
Were any additional free amenities provided?
>Yes. Every Tuesday and Thursday, a carbon dioxide bath is offered to cardiac patients. A carbon dioxide bath widens arteries, allows a better flow of oxygen through blood vessels, thus improving blood circulation. Patients removed clothes except underpants and socks and then sat with only the patient’s head outside the enclosed box bath structure. Monday thru Friday, a vitamin mineral herbal supplement drink was served at 11:00 AM to12 noon in a designated room. Monday thru Friday, exercise rehabilitation was tailored in accordance with the patient’s condition. Even palates classes were offered.
Were any shops located in the rehabilitation center?
>Yes. A small food shop with basic food. And a small medical accessories shop that included toiletries.
Did you explore the nature located outside the rehabilitation center?
>Yes. Sunday, November 13 afternoon was an unusually warm sunny day with temperature at 5 degrees C /41 degrees F. I ventured outside for the first and only time on that day. I walked along the path in the forest next to a river that led to a food store and magazine store. Next, I walked to park with stone benches surrounding a stone five flower petals fountain next to a large artificial waterfall. Then I walked around the entire large rehabilitation complex twice. I really enjoyed the outdoors in the nature and felt really good after my two hour exercise walk.
Were visitors allowed?
>Yes. All visitors were required to check in to the registration desk and wear clear plastic slip on booties over their shoes. Visitors were required to wear masks however my trusted agents who visited me only wore the mask on their chin.
Were masks required to be worn by the rehabilitation patients?
>No. I never wore a mask in the rehabilitation center because I was completely healthy during my 13 day stay. Some nurses asked me periodically to wear a mask and I politely said no. Hence masks were recommended and optional for patients.
Did you have any more confrontations with Boris?
>Yes, on Saturday, November 12 just before 9:00AM, I was sitting on the couch watching television adjacent to the dining room after I had my breakfast. Boris was walking to the dining room to have his breakfast when he suddenly stopped and looked for the television remote control. After failing to locate the remote control, Boris deliberately reached in back of the flat screen television and turned off the television because President Lukashenko was speaking. I unfortunately let my emotions take over, rose from the couch, and confronted Boris by shouting questions at him. My questions were, “Why did you turn off the television when I was watching the news program?” and “Why do you deliberately want to get me upset?” Boris responded by telling me to go back to America. And I responded by telling Boris to go to Poland or Lithuania. During this last confrontation that lasted two minutes, I stood very close to Boris who was over 2 meters tall. I could feel my blood pressure elevate dramatically.
Did anyone hear the two-minute shouting match between you and Boris?
>Only fellow rehabilitation cardiac patients sitting at the couch and sitting inside the dining room. The dining room food server and the dish washer were busy working in the kitchen area. And the two nurses at their stations were too far away around the corner down a long corridor hallway.
Why did you spend time watching television when you do not understand the Russian language?
>I paid attention to the news video rather than the audio. For example, I could easily see the President Lukashenko giving a master skill class on wood cutting, the G20 meeting in Indonesia, the USA Federal Reserve raising interest rates by .75 percent, and updates on the Russian Federation’s “special military operation”.
What medication tablets were prescribed to you?
>тикагрелор---Средства уменьшающие агрегацию тромбоцитов (антиагреганты)-- 90 мг (mg). Antiplatelet to reduce platelet blood cell clumping. Аторвастатин---лекарство, снижающее уровень холестерина в крови--10 мг(mg). Statin to reduce cholesterol.
What medical tests were performed during your 13 day stay?
>Four electrocardiograms were performed that showed the frequency pace of my heartbeat, the steady, regular rhythm of my heartbeat, and the strength of the electrical impulses passing through each part of my heart. On Thursday, November 10, a non-exercise standard cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanner scintigraphy was performed that viewed blood flow in my heart and looked for plaque buildup blockages in the coronary arteries. On Monday, November 14, a 7-minute stress exercise on a stationary bicycle with resistance tension was performed and then one-hour later, a cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanner scintigraphy was performed that viewed blood flow in the heart and looked for plaque buildup blockages in the coronary arteries. A contrast dye Technetium-99m was injected into a blood vessel in my arm both times before my two CT scintigraphy tests. I was concerned about the ionizing radiation exposure hazard from the German made Siemens CT scanner. However, I hoped the high-resolution 3-dimensional images of the heart and arteries outweighed the ionizing radiation risk.
What exercise rehabilitation programs were recommended for you?
>On Friday, November 4 and Tuesday, November 8, I participated in a 20-minute arms and legs exercise while sitting in a chair. On Friday, November 11, I participated in a 20-minute arms and legs exercise while standing up. On Tuesday, November 15, I participated in a 20-minute stationary bike with adjusted tension resistance cycling exercise. I over exerted myself and sweated profusely with high blood pressure of 145 over 95 during this stationary bike cycling exercise. I should have requested a less intensity workout of a 10 minute cycling exercise with no resistance tension.
Why did you cut short the 18 day prescribed rehabilitation program to 13 days?
>My best roommate friend had left and Boris was still at the rehabilitation center. All my medical tests and evaluations were completed. My blood pressure has normal during every check. I believed I could walk more often near my home with a much warmer coat since the temperature turned bitterly colder at minus 10 degrees C / 14 degrees F.
How much did the rehabilitation center medical test treatment, exercise program, the 13-day patient resident stay, tablet medications, and food cost?
>Everything is free. All medical rehabilitation care is provided for free for citizens and permanent residents of Belarus.
How do you feel after the one-day stent procedure, 10-day follow on stay at the hospital, and 13-day stay at the rehabilitation center?
>I feel fine without pain. However, my level of physical endurance capability has decreased and my blood pressure is susceptible to rise during any physical activity or emotional reactions. I express my thankfulness and give credit to President Lukashenko, the Belarus hospital, the Belarus doctor for saving my life.