Reena Caprario is no stranger to distressing health issues. At 55 years old, this mother of two received a lung cancer diagnosis in late 2023 and has a pre-existing condition of diabetes.

Following surgery to extract Stage I cancer at the end of 2023, she felt confident as her diabetes was well-controlled. Therefore, when Reena started experiencing back pain and acid reflux the following May, she brushed it off. Despite being a former smoker with a family history of heart disease and knowing her cardiac risk was elevated, she attributed the discomfort to post-surgery gastric issues.

For several days, she tolerated the persistent pain. One day, while at the mall with her daughter, she opted to run up and down the stairs in an attempt to alleviate her discomfort. Other days were spent experimenting with over-the-counter pain relief.

However, after a week, the pain escalated, spreading to her neck, jaw, and upper arm. The intensity reached a point where her hand began to feel numb, and she experienced the sensation of multiple toothaches in her mouth. The headache was described as “excruciating.” Even as the discomfort radiated down her arm, Caprario struggled to accept that she might be having a heart attack.

“For a moment, Google was my doctor, and I convinced myself that despite having all these symptoms, there’s no way I could be experiencing a heart attack,” Caprario recounted. “I kept telling myself, ‘It can’t be.'”

Eventually, Reena consulted her primary care physician, where an EKG indicated abnormal heart activity. Although her doctor suggested calling an ambulance for immediate transport to a hospital, Caprario opted for her husband to drive her instead. Upon arriving at AdventHealth Apopka, further tests including another EKG and blood work determined that she had indeed suffered a heart attack. Additional examinations revealed a staggering “99% blockage” in her left circumflex artery, caused by a detached piece of plaque that obstructed nearly all blood flow.

“The doctors informed my family that I was fortunate to be alive,” Caprario stated.

Understanding Uncommon Heart Attack Symptoms

Dr. Harmony Reynolds, director of the Sarah Ross Soter Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Research at NYU Langone Heart, emphasizes that heart attack symptoms don’t always align with cinematic depictions. Reena’s persistent pain is not unusual leading up to a significant cardiac event, as these early signs often indicate reduced blood flow to the heart, Reynolds explains, though she wasn’t involved in Caprario’s care.

“The heart muscle will react to this situation, signaling discomfort,” Reynolds stated. “It might not even be painful—it could just create a general feeling of unease, typically centered in the chest, but it can manifest elsewhere.”

Pain “ranging from the jaw to the abdomen” can potentially signify a heart attack, according to Reynolds, though chest pain is often reported. The intensity of the discomfort can vary from pressure to tightness. Other warning signs may include acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, dizziness, or feelings of impending doom.

Dr. Linus Wodi, the cardiologist who treated Caprario at AdventHealth, noted that the positioning of her artery blockage complicated her case. The left circumflex artery, which connects to key coronary arteries, lies towards the back of the heart, making it challenging to detect through some diagnostic tests. Severe blockages in this artery carry a high risk of fatality, he cautioned. If Caprario had delayed seeking treatment, the outcome might have been dire.

Addressing a Life-Threatening Blockage

Upon reaching the hospital, Caprario had only about 1% blood flow through her affected artery, Wodi explained. Such a severe blockage can disrupt normal heart rhythms and lead to irreversible muscle damage.

Consequently, Wodi recommended a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a procedure where a slender tube is inserted to clear the obstruction and a stent is placed to reduce the chance of future blockages. The procedure is performed without general anesthesia and typically lasts between 30 minutes and two hours.

The operation was successful, and Caprario was discharged the following morning. She was prescribed various medications to minimize her risk of future heart problems and enrolled in a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program. Working closely with a nurse, Caprario began incorporating regular exercise and other heart-healthy habits into her lifestyle.

Months later, Caprario reports feeling better than she ever has. Alongside her commitment to heart health, she is also focused on cherishing family moments and returning to once-loved physical activities.

“I hardly feel like I went through a heart attack,” she remarked.