Same exact thing happened to me I was 40 years old. I had been having signs of it getting blocked for 9 years, but total block in august 2002. The damage is in the lower part of my heart and they say I should live an uneventful life. The damage would not have been there if they would have listened to me in the first place, but my damage is minor. Hope the same goes for your son.

What were your signs?

Just these horrible pains, undescribable. All over upper back, upper chest, even shooting pains up my neck. Off and on for 9 years. Sweating, hard to breathe, restless with worse pains. Then I got a murmur which I had never had--which could mean the blood is flowing backwards. Come to find out major artery in front of my heart totaly blocked off. I had 22 episodes of this pain and such in 5 days, be4 they said heart attack. I was air lifted to phoenix heart hospital, straight to cath lab. Angioplasty and stent.

Puffinstar, I had my first heart attack at 35 years of age, my second heart attack at 40 years of age, and at 46 had two stents put in for 80% blockages. I'm still able to live a fairly normal life, although my heart is no longer very strong.

Make sure your son takes this as a sign and changes any behaviors that may have brought it on, i.E smoking, fatty diet, stress. His chances of living a normal life are hopefully good, but he has to realize that his life will be different. Some negatives i've been faced with are not really health related. Getting life insurance is impossible, getting health insurance is very difficult, and getting hired by someone who knows my past history (or requires a physical) is impossible.

I'll be glad to help answer any questions or concerns you have.

Do you have a family history of heart problems?

I recently found out my grandfather died of heart failure, but nothing in my immediate family.