Impending heart attack in women?

[elrav]

About me - 46 yr old female, strong family history of heart disease.  I have had high blood pressure for over three years, and as of the last six months, its been almost impossible to control.  Have ended up in ER a number of times when it has gone about 190/120.  Just has stress test - positive for exercise induced ischemia.  I am now scheduled to go for nuclear perfusion on Sept 30.  I have had episodes of tingling/numbness if left hand and arm.  Have had a few bouts of chest pain, although not severe.
My question is, now I am experiencing some other things that I have read could be the early warning signs of an impending heart attack in women, they are - spasmodic dry cough (comes out of the blue, sometimes 12 x day, others 2 x day), and I am suffering from very interrupted sleep.  I am waking up almost every hour on the hour every night for the past week or so.  I also suffer from extreme bouts of fatigue (not always in conjuction with lack of sleep).
Has anyone experienced these symptoms and found out that they were a pre-heart attack warning sign?
Any input would be appreciated.

[ChatterAlly]

If you do not begin to feel any better I would urge you to go to the ER and not wait to see your doctor.  At the very least they should order some tests. Time is of the essence when dealing with a heart attack.  The less damage to the heart the better. And like I said, it is different in women.  Like Angie sid, it is a burnng ache in the center of the chest.  If you begin to feel that you should not take any chances.  Take care, Ally

[elrav]

Thanks, angie99 for your input.  My biggest issue is that my primary doc is new and for some reason doesn't believe that I require a cardiologist yet?!  I have an appt with him this Friday and I am going to insist he refer me.  What has me most concerned right now is the overwhelming fatigue.  I have never, ever, been the type that has to lay down during the day, but over the past week have had to do it almost every afternoon (thank goodness I work from home).  And I get winded doing even simple things, like drying my hair, ugh :(
As I said, I am going for the nuclear stress test, but will also inquire about the cath-dye test.  
Thanks again

[angie99]

I have had a heart attack and bypass surgery, totally out of the blue with no family history no blood pressure no diabetes, only risk factor was I smoked, not any more.
Anyway, was having warning signs but did not know it was really my heart and not from my thyroid...palputations (fluttery) in my chest for years became more frequent, off and on all day, tired all the time and about a week before I started getting this burning in the center of my chest off and on, then it started to last longer and longer and got more uncomfortable till it woke me up in the night, both arms started tingling and then the cold sweat and throwing up, a day later I was having double bypass surgery.
Do not fool around with this, it is the #1 killer disease.
And the only way you can tell what you need is the cath-dye test to see if you have blockage.
Please dont wait. My heart doctor told me that if a person has 1 risk factor they should see a heart doctor, Family history and blood pressure and you already have 2 risk factors.

[elrav]

Thanks for your input, I do feel a bit better hearing that.  I am trying to be proactive, but dealing with a physician who is reactive!

[ChatterAlly]

I have had 2 confirmed heart attacks and I can tell you from my own experience, there was no warning at all.  In fact, with the first heart attack I worked on a Friday all day long with chest pains, went to the ER that night and left when they told me my EKG was fairly normal.  Continued to have chest pains over the weekend.  Went to work on Monday. Then returned to the ER that night because I still had some chest pain. I stayed that time and had the Echo done.  The technician remembered doing the Echo on me the previous year and he saw some changes.  And the cardiac enzymes were elevated.  I was in the ICU that evening.  But I tell you, I could have just ignored it.  It just wasn't what you see on TV at all.  I never had pains so bad that they would stop me.  Be careful and be aware is the only thing I can tell people. Ally