Oh my gosh, Faerie! I can so totally related but from a different point of view. When I was 47, I woke up one morning and had a sharp pain in my chest that went away almost as quickly as it came on. I went back to bed and about an hour later got up to get the kids off to school. My kids were only 10yrs old and 16yr old twins. No more pain but a wierd feeling that something wasn't right. Sent the kids to school and had my DH take me to the hospital. The main artery to my heart was 90% blocked! The doctors said I was very lucky I didn't ignore that pain because there was no way I would have survived a total blockage in that area.
Please take care of yourself and your friend!
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Paulette