Off and on for the past week, I have been having a tightening or clenching feeling in the lower left part of my chest under my left breast. It lasts about 3 to 5 seconds and comes and goes. I went to my cardiologist a few days before this started to have a quick pulse checked. They did an EKG and said it was ok, except for one lead that showed something different( whatever that means), but they said it was consistant with the other EKG's I have had to past and don't think it is a problem.

Anyway, I have mitral valve prolaspe with slight regurgitation. I am so scared that I am having or going to have a heart attack!! I also have some shortness of breath, but I have had that off and on for years, and they can't seem to figure out why. I am a 36 year old female.

I do have a huge amount of stress on a daily basis, so I am sure it could be that, but has anyone had this?? Any advice?? My doc said the only other thing they can do next is a cath, and I don't want that unless absolutely necessary! I asked them to give me a MRI of chest but they would only order a chest xray.

Someone help please!

MVP is benign and normally is NOT life threatening. I'd be more concerned if the clenching and tightening was in the center of your chest and not under your left breast.

I think your cardiologist needs to give you a stress echo test, why he/she would jump to a cath is beyond me. The stress echo test will get a good look at how your valves are operating under extreme stress. I"m 36 and just had the stress echo done, which was a breeze and they found my heart to be completely healthy. ( I was/am suffering from Heart Palpitations). Again, ask for the stress echo test and possibly a holter monitor, a device you wear for 24 hours to record your heartbeats.