"Keep up the good work."
-Richard J. Maillett

"In Loving Memory of Donald E. Anderson."
-Sonya Peterson

"Thank You for Your Gift of Knowledge and for Caring"
-Paulette B. Brown

"How I wish our ER had known of the EHAC program!"
- Jeanna Jolley

I appreciate your continued efforts to spread the word about the early warning signs of heart attacks.
-Paula DuBois

"Please keep up the attack - people need doctors like you."
-Ilona Ryals

"Thank you for your tireless work and refusal to quit."
-Kathleen A. Shanks

"I really appreciate what you're doing and the article was very reassuring for me."
-Julie Deaton

"My father died in 1959 at age 45 with symptoms exactly like those you described in the Reader's Digest article"
-Sylvia Phelps

"...the story was wonderful on the work and research you are doing on the warning signs of a heart attack"
-Sail Romano

"Your life should be an example for young people to strive for the best"
-Albert H Flynn

"The Chest Pain Center was a unbelievable idea and it is because of people like you that I have my father to watch me chase my dreams."
-Marietta Casillo

"We all need to be more aware, and no one can be too educated."
-Sue Rogers

"Keep up the excellent work!"
-Debe McQuillen and Frank Lewis

"Your work has obviously had far reaching effects to reach even small town emergency rooms."
-Sherrie L. Traweek

"I want to thank you personally for your persistence and concern."
-Linda de Vega

"God bless you for your persistence in your work. I'm sure you are being prayed for."
-Mrs. Helen Sobieski

This card was designed by a child who is a cancer patient at
The University of Texas .D. Anderson Cancer Center

March 30, 1997

Dear Dr. Bahr -

Two months ago my husband had a heart attack. We both feel that he is alive and well today because of the article about you and the early warning symptoms which was in Reader's Digest. When the symptoms began, he did not hesitate to get to the emergency room of our nearest hospital, where he received excellent treatment. What a timely article! If it had not been for that, he admits that he would have waited until a convenient time to check with his doctor. You see his attack came at midnight on a Saturday night. Thanks! Thanks for your

Hugs -
Glenda Minnie

Amir H. Kazory, M.D.
No. 31 15th St.
Chehel Sotun St.
AsadabadiAve.
14318-Tehran
IRAN

Dr. Raymond Bahr
St. Agnes Health Care
Baltimore, Md.

April 12, 1997

Dear Dr. Bahr;

I am writing this letter to congratulate you on your success in fighting the old beliefs and thoughts surrounding the basic concepts of heart attack. Your attempts seem to me so wonderful and extraordinary and I was really shocked by what I read in Reader's Digest about you. In fact, it may now seem to you so late but this is the first time that I become aware of this news. I believe this is truly the same way every young physician, like me, should follow.

I am a 28-year old assistant of cardiology in Tehran medical school, highly interested in reading and writing simplified medical articles. I have also been a translator of such articles since the first years of medical school. Unfortunately, I had not heard of EHAC before reading the article in Reader's Digest, and I strongly believe that so many practitioners in Iran know little about it either.

Therefore, I am going to translate this article into Persian in order to introduce you and your works to the people of my country. I will be so grateful should you kindly send me a video/audio tape and booklet on EHAC in addition to any other information which, you believe, will help to introduce your works more effectively.

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

January 25, 1996

Dear Dr. Bahr,

My 40 year old husband died of a heart attack in the emergency room of our local hospital just over a year ago. How I wish our ER had known of the EHAC program! Perhaps they could begin to learn now!

Would you please send me the video, audiotape and booklet referred to in the February 1997 Reader's Digest article? I would appreciate any other information, statistics, etc. you would care to include.

Most sincerely,

Jeanna Jolley
1502 Farrell Lane
Richland, Wa 99352
(509) 943-1987

February 18, 1997

Dr.Raymond Bahr
St. Agnes Health Care
900 Canton Ave.
Box RD
Baltimore, MD 21229-5299

Re: "He Declared War on Heart Attacks"
Readers Digest - February, 1997

Dear Dr. Bahr:

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

About a week after I read the above article, my husband suffered a heart attack. He just turned 47 in January. Although it turned out to be a minor attack, it was pretty scary. I immediately recognized his symptoms as they were exactly what was described in "Warning Signs of a Heart Attack:" chest discomfort (he later said it was never really what you could call a "pain"), sweating, and shortness of breath.

I remembered the part about taking an aspirin, which I had him do, and then we were off to the emergency room. The EKG indicated a heart attack in progress.

With some major lifestyle changes, quitting smoking, exercise, and eating better, we're hopeful things will improve. The small vessel that caused the heart attack was destroyed, but the angiogram indicated 50-60% blockage in another major artery. He returns to the hospital in a couple weeks for a stress test. We're keeping our fingers crossed that angioplasty will not be necessary.

I just want you to know how much I appreciate your continued efforts to spread the word about the early warning signs of heart attacks. That information helped prevent my husband from suffering unnecessary additional damage to his heart because we realized what was happening so quickly.

Sincerely yours,'

Paula DuBois
1301 W. 2nd Ave.
Devils Lake, ND 58301

cc: Reader's Digest

Subject: Early Heart Attack Care
Date: Fri. 29 Aug 1997 M0157 -0500
To: 11 - (052)1nfo(a)ehac.org"

Dr. Bahr;

I just read the article about you in the Feb. 97 Readers' Digest. FYI, to add to your store of things to look for in the early stages of problems, I offer the following:

My husband had the crushing chest pain for the second night in a row (he had not woken me the first night), but this night the pain was radiating down to both hands and he was wild-eyed and gray and he woke me to ask if he could be having refluxing pain. I rushed him to ER here in Panama City FL. Luckily his doctor worked aggressively - within 35 minutes he was in ICU and being treated. Catherization showed 3 major blockages, 95, 85 and 70 percents. He had a triple angioplasty with stents in all 3. After the cath, he was given oxygen due to his condition - after -20 minutes, as color came into his face, I realized how gray/yellowish brown had been looking for such a long time. Years ago his complexion had been red-cheeked - I thought he'd gotten that look from working too much and not getting out fishing etc. enough. But, it was just from reduced oxygen! Then in hindsight, I believe that the severe difficulties he'd had with the flu just 6 weeks prior may also have been associated with the heart condition - he was so ill I've never in 27 years seen a 'flu' hit him like this. He missed 2 complete weeks of work and took a LONG time to feel much better. His symptoms then that I believe are related, were 1) he had TERRIBLE night sweats. He's had the flu often enough in the years I've known him, but I've never seen this in him he'd wake up as often as 6 to 10 times a night - for about 7 days so drenched that he'd have to chance sheets, night clothes, and the beach towels he'd laid down to absorb most of the sweat. 2) He had real difficulty staying asleep; at -first I thought it was just because of the night sweats, but now I'm not so sure. 3) His snoring - which had gotten quite loud over the past year prior, became horrendous. I had a doctor appointment the day after my husband was hospitalized, with my ENT - I mentioned my husband's condition and he asked, "has he been snoring really loud and chokingly for a while now?" I said yes. My doctor said that was not true snoring, it was a struggle for oxygen! And, it must have been - because now that my husband's condition is 'repaired', he hardly snores at all! I'd like to know your thoughts on these items.

I was really enthralled to read the article about how you persevered -you've surely saved the lives of many people. I was able to recognize the problem in my husband - and insist on the ER immediately - JUST because of articles similar to yours in which the emphasis is on treatment NOW, never mind the 'embarrassment', etc. if I hadn't read those articles, I, too, would have believed it to be transitory or perhaps GERD (like I have and I've thought I was having a heart attack when it woke me up at night, too), and my husband might be dead now. Please keep up the attack - people need doctors like you.

Now I have a couple of questions, if you could help:

1) What is the difference between someone having what is referred to as a 'heart attack', and someone like my husband who had all the symptoms but no heart damage? Is his just angina because there was no heart damage? Are the physical symptoms the same but one is more severe and causes the damage? How can WE, at home and at night, tell the difference?

2) I edit a newsletter where I work - I recently ran an article from the Am. Heart Assoc. about heart attack symptoms/treatment, etc., but your information is even stronger - do you have information I can include in a future issue? Your early warning signs are somewhat different from theirs, and, as I evidenced in my husband, he WAS having some of the signs you list that the AHA doesn't. So I believe your information might be critical. I'd like to order that free video, audio and booklet, and do I have permission to share it with my company's readers? I'll be happy to send a donation for the materials if you tell me where and what to send.

3) I have read about the 'crease in the earlobe' being an early indicator of potential problems - and, in fact, my husband had them and they are now not so prominent. I, too have them, but I'm not sure mine are not from wearing pierced earrings that drag the ear - like so many women have. Your opinion? What causes the crease and how is it related to heart trouble, blockages, whatever?

Send packet to:

Ilona Ryals (PERSONAL)
c/o Arizona Chemical Company
12 Everitt Avenue
Panama City FL 32401

I deeply appreciate your reply. May God Bless you and your family!

Ilona Ryals
At Internet Address: Ilona.Ryals@IPaper.com

Kathleen A. Shanks
6 Brooks Road
Bel Air, Maryland 21014
February 16, 1997

Dr. Raymond Bahr
St. Agnes HealthCare
900 Caton Avenue, Box RD
Baltimore, Maryland 21229-5299

Dear Dr. Bahr,

Thank you for your tireless work and refusal to quit. The February 1997, article in Reader's Digest really touched home. My husband is now permanently disabled from a 1986 AMI for which symptoms were not realized as such and therefore ignored. The fact that he is still alive today leads me to believe that he would have suffered only minor heart damage had I or the hospital who received him known and acted on the "Golden Hour'.

I am a Security Officer at the University of MD Medical System where I have seen first hand how well the Chest Pain Evaluation Center works. But more importantly, I am now a CPR instructor for the AHA, the Red Cross and the National Safety Council. Our 17-year-old son is also a CPR instructor. We want to help share your work with those we instruct. The current lesson plans are excellent, but anything we can add to bring the message home is a plus.

We would very much like the video, audiotape and booklet on EHAC. The article wasn't clear on how much postage would be necessary. Please let me know via the envelope enclosed or a phone call: work at UMMS: 410-328-1329 Monday through Friday; home: 410838-1780 (anytime).

Sincerely,

Kathleen A. Shanks

1/27/97

Dr. Raymond Bahr -

I am writing in response to your article in the Reader's Digest this month.

My mother died suddenly on Oct. 10, 1994 of a massive heart attack at the age of 44. She had all, or most, of the symptoms listed and drove herself to the hospital in our small rural town. (This was around 6:30AM on 10/10/94.) They told her that it was musculoskeletal pain, gave her some pain medication, and sent her home! She hurt all day, but felt sure that it would subside, since it was only "musculoskeletal pain". She died at 9:30PM as I was talking to her on the telephone!

Our hospital has absolutely no knowledge on cardiac problems or chest pain in general. They don't even carry a defibrillator on the ambulance, unless the person calling them asks them to bring one. I see people of all ages dying of heart attacks down here and it really bothers me. Our closest hospital that pays special attention to "chest pain" is in Paris, TX (50 miles from us).

If you could send some information, I would greatly appreciate it. If I could save just one of these "uncalled for" deaths, I know my mom would be smiling down on me from heaven. I really appreciate what you're doing and the article was very reassuring for me.

Sincerely -

Julie Deaton
(405) 298-6318
P.O. Box 819
Antlers, OK 74523

Jan. 23, 1997

Dr. Raymond Bahr
St. Agnes HealthCare
900 Canton Avenue, Box RD
Baltimore MI) 21229-5299

Dear Dr. Bahr:

My father died in 1959 at age 45 with symptoms exactly like those you described in the Reader's Digest article: strong intermittent pain, which he ascribed to indigestion. By the time he went to the hospital at 5 the next morning, the damage was done. He lived for another two weeks, then died from another heart attack the day he was due to come home. I don't think they knew how to treat the heart attack, even after it was identified.

Since I'm married to a high-powered, individual just like my dad, in another high-stress profession, I'm very interested in what you have to say. Please send any available information to me.

Thanks,

Sylvia Phelps
15303 Friends Street
Pacific Palisades CA 90272

Feb. 1, 1997

Dr. Raymond Bahr
St. Agnes Health Care
900 Canton Ave.
Box RD
Baltimore, MD 21229-5299

Dear Sir,

I read your article in February 1997 Reader's Digest and thought the story was wonderful on the work and research you are doing on the warning signs of a heart attack. My dad died at the age of 56 of a heart attack. At the same time he thought it was indigestion. But two hours later he died at home, also not wanting to go to the hospital for "just indigestion".

Enclosed is a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a chest pain center and any other information you have on EHAC.

Thank you,

Albert H Flynn
17921 Holly Brook Dr.
Tampa, Florida 33647
Home Phone 813-9734955

February 01, 1997

Dr. Raymond Bahr
St.Agnes HealthCare
900 Canton Ave.
Box RD
Baltimore, Maryland 21229-5299

Dear Dr Bahr,

After reading the February issue of the Readers Digest I was very impressed with you and your work and wanted to write to you and express my appreciation for everything that you have done for people that you do not know.Your life should be an example for young people to strive for the best. You are the role model that young people should look up to. Hard work and the desire to help others leads many people to very rewarding careers. We, the Arnerican people are deeply indebted to you and I hope that each and every day you receive the thanks of the people you are helping.

You have worked hard all of your life. My hope for you is that you have taken a little time to" smell the roses".

Thank you for being a Doctor of extraordinary skills and determination to make a difference in this world. My prayers go out to you for good health and continued success.

Sincerely,

Albert H Flynn

January 27, 1997

Dear Dr. Bahr,

On June 1, 1996 my father was doing some light work in our yard it was nothing out of the ordinary that week, because my father was trying to fix everything in such a short period of time as though he would never get another chance to due so. My mother was very worried that week because my father always predicted that he would suffer a heart attack sometime in his life like his father did many years ago. My father never went to a Doctor as long as I am alive, and I was twenty years old when my father took a Massive Heart Attack in front of my family in our home. He always experienced tooth aches, head aches and even often chest aches, but never paid them any mind just awaited their departure. As he slowly walked in- our living room that awful day in June he fell to the ground as though he was so tired. We yelled at him for not just getting on the couch to rest but I then realized that as he fell to the floor he had no reflexes; that his knees did not hit the floor first or even his hands just his whole body. As he crawled to the couch, he continued to tell us not to make a fuss, that he was just a little dizzy as he always was. When I looked at my father's face that day he was such an odd shade of grey he was sweating so horribly and holding his jaw, again he led my family to believe it wasn't a heart attack because he would have had chest pain. The face my father had that day will stay with me all of my life, you see Doctor I always took time to look at my father and the man on the couch that day was not him. I then screamed for my oldest brother to call 911 and let them know he was having some sort of a attack. When the emergency unit arrived they brought my father to the nearest Hospital where they told us he was in the middle stage of a heart attack and that he would be going to Jefferson Hospital to under go Angioplasty. The doctor's let us know that it was not looking good for my father at all and that they would do everything they could to keep my father on this earth. Hours later that seemed like days, my father came through wonderfully when we approached the doctors to thank them for everything, they told us that they were not responsible for helping my father that someone in heaven had been watching over my father because his entire right side of his heart had shut down and he should not have made it. It has been 7 months and with my fathers great new eating habits and no more chain smoking, my father is alive and well. I read your story in February's Issue of Readers Digest and I was fascinated with all that you have accomplished and how important of a drive you have to never let go of your dreams. The Chest Pain Center was a unbelievable idea and it is because of people like you that I have my father to watch me chase my dreams. Thank you Dr. Raymond Bahr, so much.

I never realized how much my father's heart attack effected me until now. I am 21 years old I still jump up every time my father gets a pain somewhere and I am glad that you can give me the chance to know it's O.k. to be this way.

Sincerely,
Marietta Casillo
(Philadelphia, Pa.)

1-24-97

Dear Dr. Bahr,

I just finished reading your article in Readers Digest, and I want you know how much I agree with you. I'm an RN in our small community hospital, where we care for a wide range of patients - ER, OB, ICU, elderly, etc. I've seen many patients like you described, but it became very personal to me, when my mom had a heart attack Aug. 26, 1996. She always watches her diet, walked 2 to 3 miles daily, not overweight - in great shape for age 70. I had talked to her several days earlier, because she never mentioned that she had had mild chest pains with exertion, and the pain usually worse in the center of her back, abdominal nausea, dippnea, fullness in the throat, because it went away. But on Sat. morning while cleaning house, the pain and shortness of breath was enough to scare her and have dad bring her the 25 miles to our ER. About 4 miles from town she had a severe chest pain, dippnia - very diaphoretic. Dr. Dunn was on call; as soon as lab work, EKG etc. Was done, he started TPA, followed by heparin gtt. Within an hour we Life Watched her to St. Francis in Wichita, where they immediately did a catherization. It showed a 90% blockage in her right coronary artery. Angeoplasty was done the next morning. I talked later with her and dad about the early warning signs of heart attacks. They knew, but mom just felt like it was indigestion. She's doing great now, thank goodness.

I would like to receive your video, audiotape, and booklet to share with my brothers and sisters. We all need to be more aware, and no one can be too educated. Thank you.

Sue Rogers
706 West 12th
Scott City, KS 67871

January 27, 1997

Dr. Raymond Bahr
St. Agnes Healthcare
900 Canton Avenue
Box RD
Baltimore, MD 21229-5299

Dear Dr. Bahr:

On December 5, 1996, my 47 year old fianceé was experiencing chest pain. I took him to a Medical Clinic near home, and his blood pressure was high, but his EKG was fine. So off to work we went. At about 2:30 pm the same day, he called me from a parking lot picking up supplies for his Contractor business. This time he had every symptom of a heart attack; vomiting, chest pain, numbness in the jaw and down both arms, and sweating. I left work and took him immediately to the Emergency room at Sacred Heart Hospital.

We were in the Emergency Room for four hours. The physicians on duty felt it was heartburn, prescribed Zantac and sent him home.

At 4:30 am December 6, 1996, my fianceé awoke with severe pain. Out of desperation and guidance from above, I dialed 911. The ambulance took him back to Sacred Heart Hospital and this time, he was diagnosed with a Heart Attack. He went into surgery immediately with Dr. Hawn, a heart surgeon. His right main coronary artery had collapsed. The angio plasty that was done also required a stent due to the artery not taking to the balloon method.

Frank is doing better these days, but I am continually wanting to further my knowledge on the heart and heart attacks.

After reading the article in February, 1997 Reader's Digest on you, I applaud your efforts! I would appreciate any information you can send us on EHAC. Again, I sincerely appreciate people like you, who through tireless efforts, are able to help fellow Americans live a healthier life.

Keep up the excellent work!

Sincerely,

Debe McQuillen and Frank Lewis
895 Territorial Street
Harrisburg, Oregon 97446
(541) 995-3768

My sincere appreciation for your dedication in getting EHAC information to the public. I read the article 'in Reader's Digest last night and since my father, Thurman Griggs, is a subscriber, I found myself wishing that this had been published in the December issue.

On December l3th, he suffered a severe heart attack due to blockage that had been detected some time ago. I can only speculate as to why it wasn't dealt with before, perhaps his former Doctor believed the drugs he prescribed in 1995 had taken care of it,I do know that a stethoscope was the ONLY equipment used to diagnose him and follow the drugs effectiveness. But that is now history.

The article brought out what I feel was one of the most solid points to be addressed; "too stoic or embarrassed to seek help". As I stood beside my father in E.R., he kept repeating remarks of that nature. He related that he had been experiencing symptoms for several days and that only some minutes before the onslaught of vomiting, and chest pains, he had been describing the early warning signs to his neighbor. The neighbor, having suffered a heart attack several years ago, told him that he needed to "go on to the doctor and don't wait". My father had replied, "Well, I hate to, I have an appointment in a couple of weeks." With that last statement, he walked into his house and collapsed into a chair as he grabbed his chest.

Dad would also tell me later that he just didn't know "how much (symptoms) was too much" and that he hated to go to the doctor if it were just indigestion- Only a week before his actual attack I had been visiting and he had asked me to rub his back and complained of severe muscle pain in a certain area. I questioned him then; did he think it may be related to any heart problem? He brushed off my concern.

On December 13th, however, control over his life was taken from him when the driver of his ambulance pulled in to the tiny emergency room of a near-by hospital. They were in route to the "Chest Pain Center" in Jackson, Tennessee, but were forced by Dads condition to stop at the first available ER in order to stabilize him.

The emergency room technicians and ambulance personnel had obviously been trained in the areas that you have worked so diligently to promote. A "clot-buster" drug was administered and when blood pressure had improved, they continued on to the Jackson Center where he received immediate treatment. Local heart specialist, Dr. Tony Phillips, had been alerted and was standing by to order an angioplasty.

To make a long story short, after a twelve-day stay and the placement of a stint, my father was released and is on his way to recovery. I fully believe that the quick response and actions of the medical staff was crucial in his 0% damage of heart muscle, according to Dr. Phillips' findings.

This letter is but a small token towards giving credit due you, however, please know that countless patients and families remember you in their prayers of thanks. Your work has obviously had far reaching effects to reach even small town emergency rooms.

Please feel free to use this letter if in any way it can help to establish credence to your worthwhile fight to get this information to the public. Best wishes and I hope for your continued success.

Sincerely,

Sherrie L. Traweek

January 24, 1997

To: Dr. Raymond Bahr
St. Agnes HealthCare
900 Canton Avenue, Box RD
Baltimore, MD 21229-5299

Dr. Bahr, I recently read the article entitled He Declared War on Heart Attacks in the February issue of Reader's Digest. I must tell you that I am grateful for the role you played in heightening awareness and providing early care for potential heart attack victims. My husband has been treated twice in chest pain centers here in Houston, has received TPA twice and has had excellent results. He was 39 when he had the first event and never expected that the pain he was experiencing could be a heart attack at that age. I never realized that a single person was instrumental in making this kind of care possible. I want to thank you personally for your persistence and concern. Thanks to you and people like you, my husband is alive today.

I would like to request that you send me a copy of the free video, audiotape and booklet on EHAC. Please find enclosed a self addressed stamped enveloped as requested in the article.

Sincerely,

Linda de Vega
7322 La Mesa
Houston, TX 77083
(281) 498-7175

4918 Gerald
Warren, MI 48092
Jan. 30th, 1997

Dr. Raymond Bahr,

I read you story in the Reader's Digest, February 1997 issue. It brought back memories of the very thing you talked about. My husband didn't have severe pain either. While playing cards, he rubbed his hand across his chest and my daughter, a nurse, asked him if he was having pains in the chest. He told her it wasn't a pain, it was funny, fluttery feeling, but he looked sort of pale. Well, he ended up in the hospital and quadruple by-pass back in 1987.

I would appreciate your offer for a free video tape, audio tape and booklets. I will use it to show at my senior citizen club at church. God bless you for your persistence in your work. I'm sure you are being prayed for. I certainly will include you.

Mrs. Helen Sobieski