Death rates worldwide has increased dramatically in the past 3 years especially among young people 35 to 44 years old. Questions remain regarding the cause. Is it related to a lingering Long COVID-19 phenomenon, a post COVID vaccine complication or something else? More importantly, would you recognize the symptoms in yourself or in a loved one? Would you know what to do?
How do heart attacks develop?
When you’re born, the inside lining of all your arteries is smooth like the inside of your cheek. Over time damage may occur. High blood pressure causes a sandpaper effect on the lining, while elevated blood sugar scratches it. Smoking of any kind worsens the buildup. The body sends white blood cells to the area to heal it which becomes reddened and swollen much like a pimple. LDL (bad) cholesterol traveling through the blood can become lodged in the irritated damaged areas. The inflammation worsens.
A tear or rupture can occur in the damaged area. Platelets move in to stop the bleeding. A large blood clot forms which blocks the artery. If a chewable baby aspirin is taken immediately, it may slow down the platelet or clotting activity.
How can I discover if I have a blockage?
Most alarming is that most heart attacks and strokes occur in small lesions that aren’t typically found on most diagnostic medical stress tests until they are much larger. However, there is a new test that is available in most major cities, recommended by national guidelines, but underutilized in far too many communities: Non-contrast Coronary Artery Calcium Score Test.
When there is inflammation anywhere in the body for a long time it becomes calcified and usually visible on X-rays: old tumors, TB or arterial plaque build-up, etc. This test measures the amount of calcified deposits in 4 main coronary arteries. It’s a marker for how much plaque is building up: a small, moderate or large amount.
Who should get this test?
If you’ve already had a heart attack, have a diagnosed blockage or had a stent inserted this test is NOT for you. It’s already known that you’re at greater risk because you have a problem and are being treated. However, if you’re a woman over 50 or a man over 40, with a strong family history of heart disease, or you have risk factors…I recommend the non-contrast screening test.
What are the risk factors for a heart attack or stroke?
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal cholesterol and triglycerides
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Inactivity
- Poor sleep
- You are a woman over 50 or male over 40.
- Family history with a male relative who had a heart attack before 55 or female before 65.
What do the results mean?
Calcium Score
Presence of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
0 No evidence of CAD
1-10 Minimal evidence of CAD
11-100 Mild evidence of CAD
101- 400 Moderate evidence of CAD
Greater than 400 Extensive evidence of CAD
*Radiology Info for Patients
Higher amounts require more aggressive treatments to slow the plaque buildup and heal the inflamed areas. A harder fibrous cap forms over the damaged areas preventing plaque rupture or heart attack. Follow up tests may be needed.
Most larger hospitals have this test available. Some states require a healthcare provider’s order or referral while others do not. You can call any major hospital center and find out if they have it and requirements to get it.
What are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack?
- Any discomfort from the chin down to the naval.
- Any discomfort that moves down the arms or into the back.
- A toothache or jaw pain.
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Unusual fatigue
There are a lot of organs in this region and the symptoms may not be related to a heart attack. You’ll be treated as if it is coming from the heart until tests reveal its another problem. The symptoms may be mild or severe. Dizziness, nausea, and fatigue are more common in women while men may experience more crushing chest pain. If in doubt seek immediate care!
What is myocarditis (inflammation of the heart)?
It’s now well known that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines can cause myocarditis. The spike protein can travel to the heart causing inflammation and swelling in the damaged area. The heart’s normal electrical pattern may be disrupted. Physical activity in the presence of myocarditis stresses the heart and may cause lethal arrythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and sudden death. The immediate treatment is rest (no exercise) and steroids to reduce the inflammation and allow the area to heal. It’s diagnosed with an echocardiogram.
What are the symptoms of myocarditis?
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Hard, rapid, or irregular heartbeat
- Light-headedness or fainting
- Flulike symptoms including headache, body ache, joint pain or sore throat.
How do strokes develop?
A similar clot formation occurs in 87% of strokes while 13% are caused by bleeding. Tragically few people get to the hospital in time to get the special medications to stop or reverse a stroke. There is a 4.5 hour window from the time the symptoms begin until it’s safe to give special clot busting drugs. Immediate surgery is often needed for strokes caused by bleeding.
What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke (FAST)?
- F Face: Is there drooping of one side of the mouth more so than the other?
- A Arms: If both arms are raised…does one arm droop?
- S Speech: Are words slurred when speaking?
- T Time: Note the time symptoms began. Call 911 to get to the hospital fast!
Clearly, a great deal of research is needed to understand why the sudden death rate especially in young people has increased around the world since 2021. Scientists question whether the spike protein from a lingering COVID infection or a complication from a COVID vaccine may be contributing to this problem. It could also be some other phenomenon as well. All individuals need to be aware of the potential causes and know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, and myocarditis. Get screened if you think you might be at increased risk and pray for answers to these puzzling questions.
Additional resource
My book, Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke is available as an eBook on amazon or a paperback via my website. It was written with a nurse’s voice in a simple, easy to understand manner filled with stories for an easy read. It contains everything that you need to know about heart attacks, strokes and risk factors. Simple strategies that people can easily do are included to live a healthier life. Psychologists have taught us a lot about “what works” when changing harmful behaviors. You don’t have to eat like a rabbit or exercise daily in a gym. Small changes pay huge dividends in your health. God bless you as you learn strategies to deal with a potential heart attack, stroke or myocarditis.
Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security(Jeremiah 33:6).
If you’d like to read my other blogs you may visit my website for more information (jenniejohnsonrn.com).
Author of Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022).
References:
- Lory & M. Pfeiffer, “More Yong People are Dying-and It’s Not COVID. Why Aren’t We Searching for Answers?” USA Today, (August 8, 2023). https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2023/08/11/more-americans-dying-than-before-pandemic-covid-deaths/70542423007/
“Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Test,” American Heart Association, (2024). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/cac-test
“Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring,” RadiologyInfo.org, (April 15, 2022). https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/ct_calscoring
Khan et al. “COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Myocarditis: A Systematic Review & Literature Search,” Pubmed, Cureus (July 28, 2022). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9419896/
“Myocarditis: What is Myocarditis,” American Heart Association (September 27, 2022). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/myocarditis
“Types of Strokes,” John Hopkins Medicine, (2024). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/stroke/types-of-stroke
Brown, R. “Stroke,” Mayo Clinic, (December 12, 2023). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350119
I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.
ã All rights reserved 2023, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD
Author of:
Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)
Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)
Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at: ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.
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