Sean Cate

Sean Cate

October 5, 2024

Man Thought He Had Food Poisoning Only To Realize It Was a Heart Attack 4 Days Later

Heart attack symptoms can often be mistaken for less severe conditions, leading to delayed treatment that could have life-altering consequences. This is exactly what happened to one man, Asif Haque, who initially thought he had food poisoning, only to discover he had suffered a major heart attack. His story serves as a crucial reminder that not all heart attacks present with the classic symptoms we associate with the condition.

The Unexpected Onset of Symptoms

Within hours of his call, Asif dusted off his bicycle and rode to his session with Brian’s ‘Cardiac rehabilitation ‘Wild Bunch’ cycling group
Credit: Asif Haque

What began as an ordinary day for Asif Haque turned into a life-changing event. After enjoying a simple vegan pasta meal, he felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest, followed by sweating. Like many, Asif dismissed the symptoms as a possible adverse reaction to food.1 “I was 43, active, and healthy,” he explained, with no family history of heart disease. Over the next few days, his condition worsened, but he remained convinced it was just food poisoning despite feeling upper body pain and experiencing difficulty keeping food down.

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Misinterpreting the Signs

Credit: Unsplash

For four days, Asif carried on with his daily routine, attributing his symptoms to something he ate. Many people confuse the signs of a heart attack with food poisoning, as they can share similar symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.2 In Angie’s case, another heart attack survivor, she also mistook her symptoms for indigestion or food-related discomfort, despite feeling severe pain in her arms and back.3 Both stories highlight a dangerous misconception: while symptoms like nausea and abdominal cramping are common in food poisoning, they can also indicate more serious conditions, including heart attacks. Angie’s experience shows how women, in particular, may have atypical heart attack symptoms that can easily be overlooked.

Escalation and Realization

The event’s magnitude hadn’t fully registered, so I remained calm
Credit: Asif Haque

By the fourth day, Asif could no longer ignore his body’s warning signs. Walking short distances became a challenge, and the pain had intensified to an unbearable degree. It wasn’t until his family, several of whom were doctors, urged him to visit the hospital that he realized something more serious was happening.

When Asif arrived at the emergency room and reported chest pain, the medical team immediately recognized his condition as a heart attack. “The words ‘myocardial infarction’ were mentioned within seconds of an ECG,” he recalled. Despite the gravity of the situation, Asif remained surprisingly calm, possibly due to the shock of what was unfolding.

The Life-Saving Procedure

Image for illustrative purposes only. Credit: Pexels

At the hospital, further tests confirmed that Asif had suffered a major heart attack, which had significantly damaged his heart. Doctors quickly moved him to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, where a coronary angioplasty was performed to unblock his arteries and fit a stent. Asif remembers watching the entire procedure on a screen, describing the medical team’s precision as they worked to restore blood flow.

In Angie’s case, swift medical intervention also saved her life. After arriving at the hospital, doctors performed a similar procedure to open her blocked artery. Thanks to the rapid response of emergency teams, both Asif and Angie avoided what could have been fatal outcomes.

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The Aftermath and Reflection

There was little reason for him to consider himself a candidate for a heart attack
Credit: Asif Haque

Both survivors were left reflecting on the dangers of ignoring symptoms. Asif spent six weeks recovering, realizing that if he had sought help sooner, much of his heart tissue could have been saved. “My biggest regret is that I didn’t listen to my body sooner,” he said. Similarly, Angie’s experience led to a significant lifestyle change. She quit smoking and adopted healthier eating habits, knowing that her previous choices had contributed to her heart disease.

A Lesson for Everyone

man holding his chest
Image for illustrative purposes only. Credit: Pixabay

These stories are a powerful reminder of how easy it can be to misinterpret the early signs of a heart attack. Common symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, are often dismissed as less serious conditions like food poisoning. However, anyone experiencing persistent or severe discomfort, especially in conjunction with shortness of breath or pain radiating to other areas of the body, should seek medical attention immediately. Both Asif and Angie were fortunate to receive timely treatment, but their experiences highlight the importance of listening to your body and acting quickly.

In conclusion, while food poisoning is often the first assumption when stomach-related symptoms arise, don’t discount the possibility of more serious conditions. A heart attack can manifest in many forms, and recognizing the signs early could make all the difference.

Read More: 10 Natural Remedies To Help Tame Heartburn

Sources

  1. I thought I had food poisoning – it took 4 days to realise it was a heart attack.” Metro UK. Asif Haque. October 14, 2023.
  2. Nausea from indigestion? No, it’s a heart attack.Mount Sinai
  3. Nausea from indigestion? No, it’s a heart attack..” Goshen Health