They Say Not A Heart Attact, But Are They Right???
Tuesday
Oct 27, 2009
i am 31 and i’ve had every test done to rule out heart problems. the only one not done is heart cath. they say everything is fine. but still i have all the symtoms of a heart attack. pain in the lest arm, tightning in the chest, dull aching pain in the middle of my back and a burning sensation like indegestion that goes from my stomach to my chest. i have been to the hospial 4 times and they send me homw everytime! i’m on atenolol for a spuratic heart rate and thats it. but other than that my cardioligist and the hospital says everything is fine. then why do i feel this way and how many more opions will i have to have before they find out whats the real problem if theres any?
Comments
james b
October 27th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Stimulants or stress or both can be a possible cause, it can be because of GERD too. Atenolol can cause the above symptoms in patients with lung problem.
There is no need for advance tests, change your life style OK, and stop worrying.
L_H Qutub(Retired)
October 27th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I work in an ER, and we see all kinds of cardiac problems. Some obvious, some not. This story makes me think of one patient we saw. He had all the classic symptoms, crushing chest pain, radiating to his arm, shortness of breath, bla bla bla. So we did our typical work up. That consisted of a 12 lead EKG, checking his blood (specifically cardiac enzymes), and the such like. Both came back normal. Confused, we did a stress test. Normal. Not sure whether or not to admit him, send him home, or SOMETHING, it was decided that he would go to the cath lab. We did this because he was a crusty old farmer that we knew didn’t want to come in, and probably wouldn’t come in unless he though he was dying. The cardiologists found a RCA (right coronary artery) occlusion, commonly known as the widow maker. It saved his life. I have a great deal of faith in cardiologists. If yours says you’re ok, then he’s probably right. His butt’s on the line too. You’d think he’d want to do a cath, but he’s the pro on that subject. Have you thought of acid reflux? We get patients who think they’re having chest pain, and it’s really esophogeal pain. We give them a “GI Cocktail,” which contains lidocaine, the medication used for procedures to numbing wounds before stitches and teeth before drilling. I’d talk to your cardiologist one more time and ask why not to do a cath. I’ve seen people who have normal results from tests and find bad things in the lab. Best of luck to you. These things can be nerve racking. (have you had an echocardiogram?)
erik s
October 27th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
It may take longer than you expected to solve your problems? I lost 7 months of my life to a health problem that was cured accidentally by antibiotics given to me for repetitive strep throat! I saw doctors and specialists all who told me I was fine and that there was nothing wrong with me? I thought I was going crazy? I was told I didn’t have a heart attack because I was to young, so they diagnosed Gallstones with no testing! I was forced to pray, believe in myself, and determined to help me if no one else could. I learned : I could not drink caffeine due to the affect it had on my heart.(I would sometimes get to the point where my heart would beat so fast and I would feel like I was going to faint.) Caffeine was a part of my problem. I am not a doctor but here are some things to try: Avoid Caffeine, Drink lots of water, take 500-1,000 mg of vitamin C a day until your pain goes away!(eat apples) If you still have pain after trying this, get a heart cath to ease your mind. I will pray for you!
fthrof4
October 27th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
You have had numerous tests and have been seen by a specialist and you have been told you have not had nor are having a heart attack. Why do you think these people are wrong? Have you considered that maybe you are suffering from anxiety about this issue and that is causing the pain?
Don’t laugh it does happen that people who worry about heart attacks can develop the symptoms even though they are perfectly healthy. Has your doctor considered that you might be having a gall bladder attack which has exactly the same symptoms? When I had a gall bladder attack I thought it was a heart attack. Ask your doctor if it could be that.
If that turns out negative maybe you should ask your doctor for an anti anxiety med for a little bit and see if that doesn’t help the problem. Good luck!
the cats' mother
October 27th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Quit worrying is the first thing… this can cause heart rate problems like it seems you have.
I’m assuming they have done examination, EKG, echocardiography, and possibly MRI or CT scan. Along with that, they probably checked cardiac blood levels.
These tests can tell an extreme amount of information about your heart. They would of known if you had a heart attack.
Did they find anything at all?
Cardiac Catheterization is done to further evaluate problems they know you already have, not to look for things. This is a time-consuming and invasive surgery. This is not nearly as dangerous as heart surgery but is not needed if they don’t find anything to look further into and it’s also expensive.
I’m assuming you have GERD (acid reflux) which can give symptoms like a heart attack. Go to your doctor and mention that you think you might have GERD.
Have a good one!