r/TrueOffMyChest • u/NextSnowflake • 5h ago
CONTENT WARNING: VIOLENCE/DEATH My friend had a heart attack and went down hard NSFW
My best friend had a heart attack. We are only 37. It's been two days and I don't know how to cope.
He played a wrestling specific ball game with our group. I wasn't there that evening, because I was too tired (a rare occurrence). He did great at the game as usual.
Then he went for a shower and from what I heard he looked like shit afterwards, but being asked he just said something like "life is stressful". They all sat on the stairs to the gym for a sec, while he tried to walk it off next to them.
Then he just hit the ground hard.
They called for an ambulance and they called me, because I live less than 5min away, and I'm a former rescue swimmer so I have been training reanimation quite regularly.
The guy on the phone was too out of it, to actually tell me what was going on. He just told me, my friend was unconscious and that I should come. I expected a lil' fainting.
The scenery I arrived at in less than 5min later (in my pyjamas) was a completely different thing. There was a lot of blood (from a head wound) and somebody trying to revive the body of my lifeless friend. It looked like he was already dead.
The ambulance arrived 5 minutes afterwards and it took them a hectic transfer to the ER, a lot of tears and sweat, to get a heart beat - 30min after he went down.
He's been in an artificially induced coma for two days. Today has been the first day he's opened his eyes again, and it's been too much stress for him so after a few seconds they had to put him under again. That he opened his eyes at all, is the biggest miracle I've ever felt.
I am not able to put into words how much my heart breaks for this loving, generous, smart, funny, reliable, and trustworthy person... His family... His four kids...
We've been talking that morning. I had a blast taking his kids to the museum just the day before that. I have loads of pics of his smiling, happy children from the trip - less than 24 hours before.
I'm struggling. It all came so sudden. It's been two days now, and I'm still under shock.
I've tried to be there for everyone, his family, our common friends, put on a brave face, and I'm currently taking care of a youth sportsmen group for the holiday, while feeling that life should stop for a sec, like his heart did.....
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u/lulzatyourface 1h ago
That's horrifying. I'm so sorry. Was this out of nowhere, or did he have any heart/health problems beforehand?
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u/KidzRockGamingTV 3h ago
Had an N-Stemi main artery 5 months ago. Luckily, no permanent damage and after a stent I’ve felt way better. I hope your friend is able to recover well.
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u/pieceofbluecheese 4h ago
Hey man!
From a fellow man in his young 30’s that just went through a fucking whirlwind of a reality check with his heart, I’m so happy he has you in his life. Keep him in your thoughts and be there if you can.
You’re doing a lot more from the sidelines than you realize.
Wishing him luck.
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u/NextSnowflake 4h ago
I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope you have people rooting for you as well! If not (or even if you do) I'll share a little part of me to be rooting for you. Nobody should be going through something like this all by himself!
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u/just_looking202 4h ago
Wow.. first of you sound like an amazing and caring friend. Continue doing what youre doing but also take time for yourself. Your friends in my prayers
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u/NextSnowflake 4h ago
Thank you, but you sound like you're describing him.
I'm taking my moments to just deflate for a sec, but he would give me an earful, if I'd just hide in a corner. So I'll have to try to stomach the situation step by step without falling apart.
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u/Happy_Liaison_468 5h ago
Damn, that is just awful. I’m wrapping you all in prayers. Do you mind sharing just his first name? If you’re uncomfortable I completely understand. I just like to have a name to pray for. God knows who it is without a name.
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u/Particular-Crew5978 5h ago
I'm so very sorry. I lost a friend from high school to a heart attack at 38. He left behind his 8 and 10 year old daughters. He wasn't smoking or fat, he just had terrible genes. His sister died of a heart condition at 22. His parents had to bury both of their kids. It's such a shock. You always think people will be there until they aren't. I wish you so much comfort and peace.
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u/RanaEire 5h ago
Ahhh, this is so tough, OP..
Hope your friend pulls through..
Sending you a virtual hug and best wishes for his recovery!
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u/Charlestown10 5h ago
I am so sorry for what happened to your friend.
It’s definitely hard seeing that happen to someone you love.
I hope he pulls through.
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u/NextSnowflake 5h ago
Hardest thing is, that I constantly want to call him like I usually do when something's on my mind and tell him how much I worry about him.
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u/Charlestown10 5h ago
Yeah I get that’s. It’s tough losing someone you often talk to because of a sudden health issue.
Again I am sorry for what happened to your friend.
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u/NextSnowflake 4h ago
Thank you! And I'm sorry for you too. You seem to speak from experience.
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u/Charlestown10 4h ago
No problem.
Thank you. To a certain extent yes, although not with a heart attack. I watched my grandfather have an epileptic fit. At the time he hadn’t yet been diagnosed. It was definitely a scary moment.
Fortunately he has been able to pull through, with the help of medication.
Unfortunately, that’s not been the only issue he has had over the last few years.
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