Next step is to change out my gearbox oil, but I have to take a little break from working on my car for a few weeks.
I had been having minor chest pains on and off for about 10 days and decided that it was a good idea to go to the hospital on Friday morning (Jan. 29, 2016). The hospital ran a few tests and said that I had a minor heart attack and needed to stay in the hospital and have an angiogram. The doctors were happy that I had decided to get checked out instead of going for my last ever ski trip with the kids that afternoon.
My heart rate, blood pressure, ECG, echo cardiogram results were all normal, but a blood test confirmed that some heart cells had died because of the presence of a protein called cardiac troponin. They called it a Non-STEMI heart attack because it doesn't show a difference on the ECG. They gave me medication until I was able to have an angiogram. On Wednesday morning (Feb 3, 2016) I had an angiogram and they noticed that one artery was 80% blocked so they put in a stent to re-establish proper flow. I was out of the hospital that night (yesterday) and everything is great.
So you are probably thinking, this can't happen to me etc. because that guy is different. Well, I am only 48 years old, I weigh 170 lbs, I go to the gym a few times a week and my wife makes me eat healthy meals. I have never had any cholesterol problems, I don't smoke and I don't have any other medical conditions. My only vice is working on my 944.
The moral of the story is - if you are having any chest pain where it feels like someone is squeezing your heart (even a little) go to the hospital and have them check for cardiac enzymes in your blood. Your family will be glad you did - even if it means that you have to cancel your winter family vacation...
This link has more information in case you need it:
https://www.ottawaheart.ca/heart-condition/heart-attack
I am still planning to hit the streets with my project car this spring and thanks to the Ottawa Heart Institute and the Civic Hospital in Ottawa, I am very happy that I am able to keep working on it. Thanks for listening.