2 Days ago I had problems with my chest area, that burning sharp pain was there and I had it for the whole day...not only that but I've been having palpitations everynight and cant sleep from them cause they make my whole body move (or it seems like that to me sine it might be my eyes that are pulsating too) It went away the next day and I took just a 5 minute walk but then my heart started beating realy fast and I had extreme shortness of breath. It lasted for a long while can I can barely do any exercises now or walk, because If I do I feel like im going to pass out due to the heavy breathing and fast heart. Today I woke up with a migraine and some weird chest pains...I have that heavy feeling especialy if I sit up or walk, and I have this weird feeling of nausea but it feels like its coming from the heart area, I have a little shortness of breath. my mom wants to take me to the doctor but hes on vacation and I have to wait the whole weekend now with this so we can make an appointment with a cardiologist. What to do till then? I seriously dont want to wait for an emergency but no doctor works on weekends. :(

Also, can you guys give me some tips on getting a really good diagnosis by the cardiologist? since I heard that some heart problems are tough to diagnosie or the doctors ignore things (i've read somewhere that the doc could just guess some random things like its just depression or something) But I dont think depression causes shortness of breath and heavy heart beat when I walk. :confused:

First your doctor will/should do an ECG (cardiogram.)
If he suspects any heart disease he might/should order a stress test...the best one is done with nuclear chemicals in your bloodstream and imaging pictures to show if your entire heart is getting the blood it needs.
Of course, he'll take your blood pressure.

He should really do ALL these three things before he starts gassing about "anxiety" and "depression." These are possibilities but they aren't immediately dangerous. If you;ve never exhibited any symptoms rrealted to anxiety or depression they aren't very likely either.

I do have anxiety and so on but now I dont even have it and im having these problems, I als have no idea why im so calm because usually when theres something really wrong with me it triggers anxiety attacks but now im completely relaxed eventhough Im having problems breathing and my heart is hurting...Ill ask the doc to do those things but will they even show things that happen only when you exercise? because I dont want him to miss anything. :confused:

Let me tell you..you can take all the stress tests and nuclear tests in the world..and that wont give you an accurate picture!! I have had every cardiad test available and they all came up perfect..until now..To make a xtra long story as short as possible..for 2-3 years I had started having pvcs and various pains. I had visited many emergency rooms and bothered my PCP often. I was given all the cardiac tests available other than a catheter. I was told that my heart was fine because I passed all the test and to stop worrying..it was all in my head. Last week I was admitted to a hospital for chest and arm pains and after a stress test that showed I had a heart of a 20 yr old. (ha!) and two days..they sent me home. The following tuesday I went to a cardiologist I had never seen before and was having the same pains..he would not let me leave the office. He called 911 and sent me to a different hospital and did a catheter on me that afternoon. I had a 90% blockage and had to put 3 stints in. That was 2 days ago. I am 39 years old..somewhat oveweight..and quit smoking more than a week ago. This whole thing has scared the bejeezus outta me. Now I am home and very much afraid of each pain that I get..such as jaw..back..arm..I dont know what to do. I had posted earlier on this site about "Could all those tests be wrong"? the answer...YES!!! The only foolproof test is a cardio cath..and then I still wonder..even when the stints are put in..what are my risks now? Next step...pyschiatrist? My biggest dissappointment..is how all the prior doctors made me feel it was in my head..but I knew...and thank God I persisted or I may not be writing this now. God Bless you.

Wow I dont know what to say, im glad you're ok but I all I can hope for is that something like that doesnt happen to me. And that cath thinger...is it painful and expensive? Ill ask my doc about it...

Darn forgot to post something again...maybe his might help me figuring out what prob I have...Just about 15 minutes ago I had this really sudden srong sharp pain right in the middle of my chest, it was less then a sec long but it hurt!

well..that could also be imflamed tissues between your chest wall. (which i have heard that before) Heres a secret for you...If you have a pain..in your chest or anywhere that if it hurts worse if you touch it or breath in deeply...then its not your heart. You cannot duplicate heart pain. So poke around the area that you feel the pain..and if it hurts worse when you poke it..its not your heart. I have insurance so I dont know how much I will have to pay towards the catheter...but I do know that my insurance is making me pay 300.00 per day I was in the hospital.. but the way I see it..small price to pay to have my life saved. I'm not rich or even well to do...but I would go in debt to live. Keep in touch..let me know how you are doing/feeling. :wave:

Thanks alot, and I tottaly agree with you. money doesnt matter when it comes to health or going into dept, I find life far more valuable than money...but I wish somebody would tell my parents that. Anyways, I think this is bad because I poked deeply around my chest and felt nothing, and when I breathe in deeply I also dont feel anything...the only thing I feel at the moment is at the middle of my chest if you move down all the way to the end, I feel a little pain there, kind of "stingy." I also feel like im nauseus but where my heart is...its really weird to explain but its just this weird feeling, it kind of feels paralyzed around that area. :confused:
Ill keep in touch thanks alot!

have you been checked by a cardiologist yet? any pain in shoulder, arms, back or jaw? I think maybe you should go ahead and see the doctor or go to the ER. Just to have it checked out..better safe than sorry. You mentioned your parents..how old are you?

im 17 and my parents said no more trips to the ER, already went 3 times this month, just some random stuff. No pain on the places you mentioned just the whole chest area...it feels worn out and just plain weird nut a sharp pain but its all over. I have a little pain right behind my shoulder blades too.

Well..you are very young..and the pain seems to be muscular according to your description.. I think perhaps an orthopedist would be in order for your next visit. Try that sweetie and keep me informed. Bless you. :angel:

You realy think so? Ill tell my doc that too so he should decide where to send me...I even have a neurology appointment in two weeks by the children hospital since no neurologist will accept me due to my age. :confused:

thanks and nice meeting you :D

Man I feel worse, I still have the dizzy heavy head like feeling from yesterday, it feels like gravity is taking a much bigger effect on me than everyone else. Nothing has happenes so far but there is no way I can get to the ER since my parents would think its crazy...

I am wondering if you have vertigo...do you seem to be off balance? are you nauseaous? At what times do you get dizzy? Standing? Sitting? It could also be an inner ear problem. Do you feel like one of your ears hurt? Do you have a sinus problem?

Hm...I wish I had answers to all of that but all that I know is that i've been having this for 2 days straight now, I can notice it the most when im taking a walk, its pretty terrifying since my head and arms and legs feel so heavy, and I feel like I keep moving left and right when I stand still but it goes away then after a few secs. Today I accidentaly hit the wall twice against the corner as I had some balancing problems...my parents of course think its going to go away. ANYWAYS, im going to my regular doc on monday is there a way he might help me than just refer me to more docs? Im going to tell him all these symptoms and hopefully he can find something out since this is really messing up my life. Thanks and please respond.

It really sounds more like an inner ear problem. I wouldnt be too concerned..you definetly need to have it checked. I went thru a period of dizziness like you did..eventually it went away. I think it was due to sinus problems combined with fear and anxiety of what it could be. Have your ears checked. Keep me informed.

Ok I will, can a regular phisician check that out or do I have to go to an ENT. Today I've experienced different dizziness, seems like the heavyness is somewhat gone but now im really nervous and I do everything too fast, also my left eye is blurry...I had some chest pains again and some shoulder pain (feels like muscular cramps not stabbing) thats it. Anyways hows it going by you? :cool:

you definitely need to see a neurologist! and only an ENT can tell if you have an inner ear problem. Good luck..keep me in touch.

hi, I've got some news. Today when I went to the doctor I told him all my symptoms and he said we're going to figure this out. he acctualy said it might be from my stomach because they found blood in my urine...so now I have an appointment to get an stomach x-ray and a stress test appointment, but its all in one week. Today also the doc found out that im way underweight. (im about 6'0 and i weigh 111.) I honestly dont know why, I eat when I have to eat. I woke up today in the middle of the night with my face numb and my heart area kind of having a numb feeling, its a weird feeling but thats how it was. I also keep getting strong sharp pains in random parts of my body...I dont know what to say anymore I feel really helpless since the doc just left me like that... :confused:

overweight?? I think you meant UNDERweight, to be that tall and only weigh 111 is like anorexic. Well I am glad you found a doctor that is going to help you figure this out! It seems to me that you have quite a few physical issues going on. Please keep me informed on your condition. I care. Bless you

whaa...? I dont even know what im saying anymore, yes i ment underweight and thanks for caring. everyone is tottaly confused on what this is...my aunt had the same thing, she was as skinny as a stick and she had heart problems and couldn even walk 2 minutes without going short of breath, but by her it went away somehow she even had an MRI and so on. I seriously hope that this isnt some sort of muscle dystrophy. I can stand and walk normaly but nothing too fast or that uses my heart too much or I get shortness of breath. Ill post when I have some more news. Thanks for caring. :)

Dear DarkChange,

Just wanted to say I am praying for you. I hope you get some answers and can get to feeling better and enjoying your life. Will be looking to see what you find out. Hang in there.

Thanks alot...but do I sound like im dying or something like that? :eek:

Hey sweetie. Sorry Its been a couple of days since I replied...just had ANOTHER cardiac cath done yesterday. Thank God everything is fine now. It doesnt sound to me like youre dying..but let me tell you..the fear and stress that you are living with will kill you. Trust me I know..I have lived that way for the past 5 years and look where it got me. I am too young to have all these heart problems..but stress will do it to you. So please..stop stressing and just see the proper doctors. Also, I know you dont come to health boards to get preached at ..but I tell you ...there is NO greater physician than the one who made you..so trust in God..he WILL heal you..and he is there for you. Keep me informed!!

oh no...Im glad you are ok and hopefully its the last time you have to do it, is it? I heard those things are pretty uncomfortable but yeah i seriously hope its the last one you would have to do! I dont know what to say about the stress, thats probably the best advice anyone gave me so far, i'll try my best not to stress over anything but how can i possibly do that? I really appreciate the help you gave me so far and I hope the best for you, thanks again. :)

PS: Looks like I can forget about the neurologist since they seem to have a problem with our insurance company eventhough they said its ok before that BUT now their doctor seems to have terminated them! so a whole week just waisted for nothing. Im getting a stress test soon so hopefuly that will clear the heart problems up (or so I think it is, but almost possitive since I get palpitations and bad shortness of breath by just walking a little, remember?) I still have some random chest pains at time but I've got a question you could maybe answer me...do you have any idea what it means when it feels like your veins twitch for a second? it might be some other thing but I get it at times on my wrist or legs, it feels like it twitches and it gives another weird feeling that I cant explain, but yeah any Idea? :confused:

PSS: is your heart the only thing you've got a problem with at the moment or are there some other things? because when you got those cath's finished you can start life again anew and learn from a few things right?

Godiswithyou,

I'm glad that the doctors finally found out what your problem was, however, I disagree with you on the abilities of the nuclear stress test. I'm sure that it isn't always 100% accurate, such as was the case with you, but I've had great success with that test. I think it depends on the individual's condition. Thankfully, you went to the second doctor who did what the first doctor should have done when the other test came back negative, perform a heart cath. You got a bad doctor not a bad test. IMO, some doctors are lazy and accept the first positive test without giving serious consideration to the symptoms. I'm fortunate to have a cardiologist that is treating the whole me rather than just my heart. He recognizes that an illness in one area of my body can, and has, impacted other organs and systems.

Your story emphasizes the need to get a second opinion when the doctor tells you one thing and your body tells you another.

Do I have a good chance of getting proper diagnosis? Godiswithyou, I just read some very old posts of yours when I went through the forum and I just cant stop thinking about the doc saying that my stress test came out fine but that I might have those blockages!

Im slowly thinking this might be some infection too, since I have a low fever.

Silver, I agree that I did have some insufficeint doctors..but I tell you...how can I pass every single test..including the nuclear test and the last stress test (that could have killed me) and not one of these tests detect even a slight blockage? Don't forget..I had a 90% blockage. And not ONE test could pick up on that?? I ran into one of the doctors who released me from the hospital that said I was "Physically Great". And I told him.."You just released me 2 weeks ago and said I was fine..and a different dr found a problem". and he looked at me and said..and I quote..."Thats why I dont like stress tests. Theyre not accurate. I dont even know why they do them." And thats a DOCTOR that told me that!!! How scarey is that? I know they dont just go around performing caths on every patient that has a chest pain..but like you said...You know your own body...persist!
Dark, The first 3 months after the cath are the critical months..after that I have to take a stress test (hahahahahaha sad but true..I should tell them dont waste their time..I always cheat on them apparently) I know its easy for someone to tell you...dont stress. I have been told that many times over the years..and I'm like...HOW DO I NOT STRESS???? Well I tell you sweetie...When you face death in the face...and one of the only things that could save you was to remain as calm as possible..YOU LEARN real fast. My biggest stress was my health...and now...the shock....but am putting my trust in my maker...cause other than that..we as mere human beings really have no control over our lives anyway. No I do not have any other health problems than my heart. I did USED to smoke..bout 1/2 pack a day..so if you smoke..QUIT..and if you dont..NEVER START!! And lack of exercise for the past 2 years definitely did my heart harm. But yes...I have been given a second chance (Thank you God) and will definitely do things better. As for the muscle twitching..ooohhh yes..I had that alot too..and now I get it a once in a while but not often. That also can be from stress. I used to get it in my eyelids...arms...legs. It was the weirdest thing. I did see a neurologist...and the only thing he found was a slight back problem..but I knew about that anyway cause I could feel it when I wake up every morning lol. I tell you...with enough research..we as patient can be dangerous to doctors..cause we end up being able to diagnos ourselves wayyy better than they can. Let me know about your next appointment and what they say hon. God Bless you . (ps sorry to be so long winded lol)

Hi!
Heh, you are right about the researching, I told my mom that if the doc tells that I would be fine after the test, that we should keep testing or whatever, because my mom will believe ANYTHING the doctor says. Its really anoying and she also calls me a doctor sometime because I did so much research and if she tells me that her body hurts or whatever, I give her my answer on what I think it is because I reasearched so much and she usually just replies with some sort of sarcastic remark. Im really glad that I had your advise though because im going to use that against the doc before we start, ill tell him what I've heard from people and how stress tests can be pretty useless so that he better watch what he's doing! Great that the heart is the only thing and now that you have another chance make sure you do your best to live healthy because im sure you wouldnt want to re-live all that right? The thing that interests me is still stress...Is it really THAT bad that it can make it worse? why? does it block your artieries even more or what goes on in your body while you are stressing?
Grr, I keep waking up with chest pains and I've read that this could be sleep apnea too...so many things that I need to clear up...anyways ill see you again then and thanks for posting. :D

Man...Im having popping sounds again by my heart. Maybe its normal but this is killing me because I keep thinking that my heart would stop anytime and I constantly put my hand against my chest to feel it. Its making me crazy! :mad:

Do you ever go to the ER? Have you had any tests done? You really outta get this stuff checked out.

Yes, 3 times this month, but it was about 3 weeks ago. I had a holter monitor and the doc said: "its ok, your heart only beated fast for a while but other than that its fine." Okay...that helped ALOT. *sigh*
I had a cat scan and spinal tap and thats about it. Im trying to compare the things I have to you, maybe we have the same thing so thats why I asked you if you know about them and so on.

Godiswithyou, what kind of tests do you think I should take? The thing im most terrified about right now at the moment is cardiac arrest! :eek:
just knowing that it exists I cant stop thinking about it...

I was thinking of an echocardiogram and of course the stress test that I have to take...what else? Anything that can rule out cardiac arrest eventhough it can come for no reason.

Well because of your age...its rare that you would have any serious heart problems especially since they have tested to you to some degree. If you would older..and overweight..I would push for the cardiac cath..but thats not the case with you...so I wouldnt suggest that. I dont trust stress tests as I have previously posted...but perhaps one of those nuclear tests would work for you..tho I have had that too and it showed nothing. But my age..weight and non existent activity was a major contribution to my health problems..please..dont make those mistakes.

I promise I wont and thanks alot for caring, Im sure you are scared for people because you dont want them to experience what has happened to you. While all this is going on I already planned things that im going to do if I hopefully recover from this...things like simple aerobic workouts and I might run again if they find out whats causing the shortness of breath for just WALKING. 2 days till my tests and VERY importantly...what is the difference between nuclear and regular? what if its a regular? can I just tell him I want a nuclear? I asked my mom to call the doc and ask if he can also schedule a echo. After all that I still need to see a neurologist for my depersonalization (which I have been reasearching for 3 weeks straight.)

Today I had weird symptoms again...I woke up after sleeping 3 hours only (and I was dead tired when I went to bed) and I felt like I was half dead! my chest was hurting of course (man, leave me alone already!) and I felt like I woke up after being injected with anesthesia, I was tottaly confused, heart was beating weirdly too. Well ill write back later possibly. Thanks. :)

PS: just a really important question I've got...by the blockages you had, did you mean you had coronary artery disease or just stuff were in your arteries that blocked it? It just now came to my mind to ask that and can stress tests and so on diagnose coronary artery disease?

Hi, I took the stress test today and well...it was not a nuclear one, it was a regular one. I explained to the doc that what if its wrong or can I trust it? Well I took it and he said that my heart went fast but it was in a good way not abnormal fast beat...and if it goes on I should probabaly take an echo. So ill have a follow up with my phisician in about a week. :)

Darkchange, you should have a echocardiogram done if that shows anything then they would do a transesophogealechocardiogram (TEE). You said that you had anxiety? It could be just that. But only accept that as a diagnosis if your echo is normal. They could at least do that and that would rule out any congenital heart defects. ASD's are commonly found at your age but it's likely you would have some shortness of breath with excertion and a heart murmur. My ASD (whole in heart) was not found until i was 41 and looking back i had alot of problems over the past 20 years, expecially with my pregnancies but over the last 5 years they have been telling me i suffer from severe anxiety and that is what was causing all my health problems. They were so wrong and until i actually went into Congestive heart failure they never did a single test of any kind on me. Just kept telling me i was anxious. So push for at least the echocardiogram it is not invassive and can rule out any congenital defects. You are very young so they are probably not looking at any coronary artery disease issues. Hope this helps and good luck. Sue

i too have had two stress tests and the first one showed a lack of oxygen to my heart so then he says we have to do another one and this one was basically the same but every three minutes he would have me lay down and take a ultrasound of my heart.so any ways after three weeks i finally go back to get the results and he says what are you here for i said to get the results of my test he says your heart looks great.so i saidwhat was the matter with the first test and he says sometimes there is a false positive. anyways has anbody just started sweating for no reason before i still dont feel right i should have a cath but they said im fine.

Hi,
thanks for the responses you two, first of all yes I DID have anxiety, for some WEIRD reason the anxiety went away when the heart problems started, I dont even have to take my medication anymore because I just dont get the anxiety, just the stress but I just dont have anxiety anymore...the echo is definitly what im going to take.

Did you waste alot of money for the tests and when they figured out that everything is ok? also do even have any problems at all after you took the test? cause you diddnt say why you had to take it in the first place. :)

hm...I wonder why godiswithyou hasnt writen back yet. :confused:

Well, I am so glad to have read this post. I finally went to the er the other night. My blood pressure was 178/112, pulse 112, feeling extremely lightheaded, pressure in chest, etc. ER started aggressive treatment, 3 sprays of nitro, nitro patch, shot in stomach (blood thinner) etc. They kept me overnight ran an echocardiogram and another stress test that uses drugs to imitate the heart under pressure. It all comes down to no abnormal heart, however, the Dr. told me that these tests would not show all blockages, however he did not recommend or even suggest a cath, I honestly believe this is because I have no insurance. He also said that there was most likely some block and also said that some of my problems may have something to do with the esophagus. What I don't understand is when in the er, the doctor on duty said that if it was the heart, then the nitro would get the discomfort under control, which it did fairly quickly. I just do not have a clue about all this. Perhaps, it is all in my head. I posted on another board under heart pain so you can see I really feel this is my heart. Go figure with doctors. I truly think I sould have had a cath. but I am still alive and don't know if I will ever go back to the er.

Hey Dark! Sorry I havent posted here..I must have lost track of this particular board because I posted to you on another board after they found the heart problem with you. In response to your question about coronarey artery disease or just a simple blockage...thats a very good question. I have no idea. I thought a blockage was CAD. Hmmm looks like I will have to do more research lol. If I would have known how much research I would be doing as an adult..I would have done better in school. lol. I'll go and look for you on your other post.

so sorry for the confusion, I thought this thread was dead so I just let it go :D
what about rosies post? can anyone help her? :confused: