Hi guys! I have a long story here so get ready to read. I'll try to make it straight and to the point and not elaborate so much. First off, I'll start you with my stats:

Before
19 years of age
5'11
180lbs
Healthy kid, no drinking/smoking/bad eating
Stress free
Medical history - High BP at 13, untreated (doctors mistake?) HR in 40s
I've been physically active and played sports up until this incident.

On February 24th, I went to a competition. I basically just played sports all day and I didn't drink as much water as I should have. I went home and finally went to bed feeling good around 9:00PM. Around 12:30AM, my sister was locked out and started banging on the door. This set the dogs off and they started barking which freaked me out and got me up to let my sister in. As soon as I layed back down....BOOM! My chest felt weird, not hurting, just felt as if my heart was beating really slow and I had shortness of breath. I'm not sure if I could call it shortness of breath because I literally couldn't breathe at all. I started to panic so I got up to tell my mother but passed out after 3 steps. Fortunately, my mother heard me drop, called 911, and check me out. I came to within seconds after the fall. As soon as I realized I had fainted, my chest started hurting bad. Just a crushing, squeezing pain. I thought I was having a heart attack and dying. I blacked out again. I came to seconds later again, but this time feeling normal, just cold and shivering severely. The EMT guys got there and my BP was 180/1??. Just off the charts. They took it 3 over times and it was just fluctuating up and down.

I got to the hospital and they admitted me. They performed the following tests:

Chest xray
Echo
EKG
48 hour heart moniter
24 hour urine test
24 BP test
ECCG
MRI of head

Doctor's thoughts?
Unexplained episode of syncope, wasn't sure of the cause since all tests came back normal and my heart looked healthy. Referred to an electrophysiologist for a Tilt table test and possibly EP Study.

I was released 2 days later, feeling great. BOOM! That night, I realized I was short of breath when laying down, either on back or side. Later during the weeks, other symptoms started showing up. Palpitations, tightness in chest, burning sensation in chest, sweats, chills, weakness, dizziness, irregular pulse (according to me), and numbness after waking up. My parents told me this was all anxiety and due to stress. So, I left it at that. The symptoms didnt go away, a month later I saw the electrophysiologist. He only did an EKG, which was normal, and basically said I was fine. I did the tilt test and fainted after the nitro, but the symptoms didn't match up. He told me that all of my current symptoms are just stress and anxiety and I need to move on in life. He wasn't going to do any more tests just to make me "feel" better. I was frustrated, and upset. This "special" doctor, basically just pushed me aside simply because I'm young. My parents started to get mad at me at this point when I complained about my symptoms. They got so bad I wasn't able to sleep, I wouldn't sleep. I didn't know if Id wake up. It was that bad.

2 months later the symptoms were still with me. Finally, after two episodes of where I got so weak, I could barely walk, I was rushed to the ER to the ER on both occasions. Did that help much? NOO! They discharged me saying I was fine. My mother got me an appointment with my GP and another cardiologist. We talked to my GP and told him everything. We also told him that I feel better after I eat. So, he thought it could be some sugar level problem. So basically drained my dry of my blood looking for everything possible. The only thing that came back abnormal was my testosterone. It was a shocking 150, he said mine at my age was supposed to be near 600. Could this be a part of my problem? He didn't think so.

I had another epidsode of weakness...and rushed to the ER again, my new cardiologist met me up there and gave me a 24 holter monitor to take home with me. I was so thankful! Finally, I got a holter monitor and I was so sure that it was going to find something so I could be treated. Two days later I turn it in, do a stress test, and another echo.

My results
Echo = normal, healthy conditioned heart
Stress test = normal, healthy and strong
Holter Monitor = Only two PVCs in 24 hours, and the symptoms I had written in my journal didn't show any heart beat irregularities.

I was shocked. My chest got tight on the stress test... Here Im expecting them to find something so I could be treated. Nothing! He did say however, that he would give me one more test to look for defects? It was called a CT agonmaoly? I don't know...if you do know what that is, what is it? Is it invasive?! Thanks! He then also put me on diarretics so help my BP.

I feel a lot better now then I did back then. It's been 2 1/2 months. But, I don't feel 100%. I only have a few symptoms that have stuck with me

My main concern now is...after seeing 3 heart doctors, 3 ER visits, no abnormalities on my test? What caused me to pass out? Why did I feel those symptoms. Why do I have a tight chest feeling and occasional shortness of breath? It feels like my heart is smashed up against my sternum? Right in the middle...just pressure. I was feeling this pressure in all the test as well, and nothing abnormal found?! I also get this numb, emptiness feeling on my left side, over my pec and ribcage area. This has all been frustrating and scary.

I wanted to ask you guys if anyone has had a similar experience? What do you personally think happened and what are causing my symptoms now?

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Now
19 years of age
5'11
155lbs
Medical problems
Stressful
Medical history - High BP at 13, untreated (doctors mistake?). HR in 40s. Episode of unexplained syncope.
I've been physically active and played sports up until this incident.

Wow noshoes,

This sounds like one for Dr. House.
I'll continue to think about it...my first thought was DEHYDRATION...????

Was the stress test you had a nuclear one?
Has your testosterone level changed? If not, I'd start supplementing it. It's amazing the number of systems testosterone controls in a 19 year old.

Hi noshoes,
Wow...you've had alot of problems. Are you checking your blood pressure at home? What kind of readings are you getting? Like lenin I thought maybe your electrolytes were off balance too( due to dehydration)......but, I'm going to continue to think about this one too.

Hi :)

I am a new poster and I am trying to raise awareness for sudden cardiac death syndrome I was diagnosed with ARVD. I had a lot of the same symptoms that you have. There are a lot of SCD diseases (sudden cardiac death). I was having PVCs and doctors put me on beta blockers. I also had a brother who had passed away at 23 from basically an unexplained cardiac arrest. I had 2 episodes of syncope and one of the EPs finally listened to me and gave me a cardiac MRI, which confirmed my diagnosis of ARVD. I was rushed to the hospital and they implanted a defibrillator in me. Also there was a show on ABC's Primetime about a girl with Long QT syndrome(another of the SCD syndromes) It basically was about a family who had lost their 16 y.o. daughter from a SCD syndrome. Doctors told her she was fine the day before her death because her echo said normal, they really did not look at the echo in detail.You kind of need to be a squeaky wheel and keep telling your parents and doctors that this is something worth looking into do some research online! If my husband and family did not insist I would not be here today. These diseases usually affect young people, especially athletes. It is rare and it is entirely possible that it is just stress and nothing is really wrong, but you do have to listen to your body and don't let anyone tell you it is nothing. Also check into your family history it is a hereditary condition. After what happened to my brother and to me. I realized that this is a real thing and now I have a defibrillator and I can lead a normal and healthy life :)I almost deleted this post because it sounds scary but after seeing it on tv and being diagnosed, my hope is that education and awareness could help to save a life. I wish you the best and hope this helps.

I appreciate the information you've given as I'm sure the OP will.Sometimes the urge is to hold back giving good information if it doesn't paint a pretty picture but as you are saying it saved your life and maybe someone elses.

Hi again, thanks for the replies. The stress test I had was just a normal one. I do check my BP often and its always normal after I wake up and high (130-140s/80-90s) through out the day. Now when I passed out and went to the hospital, they did say my thyroid levels were borderline high, if that means anything. They are normal now. I honestly don't think and HOPE that I'm not at high risk of SCD syndrome and even though thinking about it just creeps me out! My family history is clean as far as any heart problems or diseases.

I live in houston and went down to the medical center. The doctors I've seen are some of the best in the country...but for some reason I'm not convinced.

I feel A LOT better now, but like I said, I'm not 100%. I'm saying 80%. I don't even think I know what feeling normal actually is anymore. The symptoms I have now are a tightness/fullness feeling in the center of my chest just...feels like its underneath my sternum. You know how you feel sick to your stomach? I feel sick to my chest. This is with me 24/7. It doesnt hurt or prevent me from doing anything, but I know its there and it bothers me. Another thing I wanted to add is I get random little sharp pains all around my body. My chest, arm, head, stomach, legs, calves...just a sharp, throbbing pain that usually goes away in a minute. This makes me believe that maybe all this is a circulation problem? I don't know. When I wake up, my pulse is rather weak...is that for everyone?

As far as the testosterone levels: I saw a doctor for that. He said that my level was way low, but nothing else was abnormal that could cause low testosterone. I had no things show up on the blood tests, my kidneys are healthy, and my...items or a normal size. He told me about the testosterone shots, but didn't want me to start just yet simply because I could lose my fertility or something. Me personally, I'd rather take my chances and hit the sperm bank and get the shots. But...as usual I lose to my parents and the Dr.

Thanks!

This is tuff I really dont know although I can say I have passed out about 6 times over the last 13 years and afterwards I am left feeling very very weak with a faint or fluttering pulse and a cold sweat from head to toe and sometimes my chest would feel heavy.I have had alot of heart tests amoung other tests all normal I was told years ago it was due to anxiety/stress.I do have generalized anxiety disorder.I havent passed out in several years I do have left arm pains like you decribe the little stabs off and on and I too have felt these in random parts of my body so somewhat like you I guess.Sorry I dont have any answers but I can kind of relate

noshoes,

They missed one test when you went in after fainting: blood test for electrolytes.
I'm going to go with dehydration or water intoxication. A disordered electrolyte balance is PROBABLY what caused those symptoms on Feb. 24th.

Alas, symptoms of what you went though sound SO much like a heart attack also.

Any chance they did a CPK (creatine phosphokinase) to check for muscle cell destruction? (Probably not since you didn't mention a blood test.)

If indeed, they DID a blood test and you just forgot to mention it, call the hospital and get a copy of everything they tested for.

Ah..sorry, yes I forgot to add the blood test. I'm not exactly sure what they looked for but I thought in any cardiac case they check that?! They didn't even mention anything about a heart attack so I quickly ruled that out. Maybe I was wrong? Maybe they just didn't check because I'm young?

I'll give them a call and see what's up. I also thought that was what the 24/7 urine test was for? Don't they check for extra protiens in your urine because extra protien means your body is trying to heal any damage done to your heart (heart attack)?

A 24 hour urine test is usually for 2 different products of runaway adrenaline production...vanillamandelic acid and something called 5-HIAA... They are looking for 2 different kind of small tumors that produce adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline and can cause blood pressure to shoot the moon...and cause palpitations, panic, racing heart.

Maybe there are some proteins they look for also, but I think they can get that from a single urine sample...usually means kidney disease.

Get those blood test results and notice particularly sodium and potassium levels. See if they were in normal range.

noshoes,

Back in Sweden in the 1980's there was a spate of teenage athletes deaths which the medical authorities could not explain. They had low levels of blood cholesterol and none of the usual risk factors for heart disease.

Swedish medical researchers eventually found from post mortem examination that evidence of inflammation of the heart, caused by a parasite Chlamydia pneumonia, was responsible. Following on from this investigators at the Utah School of Medicine have confirmed the strong link between heart disease and Chlamydia. Other investigators have also found a link between Helicobactor pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, and heart problems.

Unfortunately doctors dont usually consider or test for bacteria or parasites when confronted with heart problems.

I would check whether these tests have been carried out and if not ask for them to be done. They are simple and straightforward and the cure is popping a few antibiotics.

Here are the references:

"Increased incidence of Chlamydia Species within the Coronary Arteries of Patients with Symptomatic Atherosclerotic versus other forms of Cardiovascular Disease", Journal of the American College Of Cardiology Vol.27,pp 1555-1561

"Association of Helicobactor pylori and Chlamydia pneumonia Infections with Coronary Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Risk Factors",British Medical Journal, Vol 311 pp 11-14
.

I see that your thyroid levels were checked and that they were high! I wonder if you were checked for thyroid antibodies as well. A thyroid storm (too much thyroid) can give you heart symptoms, weak muscles, high blood pressure, sweats, muscle pains, and a whole host of other things. Maybe you should go see an endocrinologist! The thyroid does have an effect on the heart as well as all other systems of the body. It's worth having checked! Does anyone in your family have thyroid problems? It does run in families! If so, you really should have your thyroid checked out! My mom had autoimmune thyroid disease, and now I have it and so does my neice. It can cause your thyroid to put out too much at times, and then at other times too little. My thyroid problem took over a year to be diagnosed because no one checked for the antibodies! Heart palpitations were just one of the problems that I was having along with muscle cramps and pains, and a whole lot of other things! Since thyroid influences the body so much, you can get all kinds of symptoms. I had to keep going to the doctor over and over for a year. They even called my husband into the room, without me, and asked him if I were a hypocondriac! Just hang in there, and don't give up trying to get help! I hope this helps some, and good luck to you!

... The symptoms didnt go away, a month later I saw the electrophysiologist. He only did an EKG, which was normal, and basically said I was fine. I did the tilt test and fainted after the nitro, but the symptoms didn't match up. He told me that all of my current symptoms are just stress and anxiety and I need to move on in life. He wasn't going to do any more tests just to make me "feel" better. I was frustrated, and upset. This "special" doctor, basically just pushed me aside simply because I'm young.

When a doctor is not able to properly diagnose a patient's problem, he has two choices. He can acknowledge that he is not God, and that he lacks knowledge and skills to diagnose the patient's health problem, or he can blame it on the patient. The easiest way to blame the patient is to tell the patient that the health problems are caused by the patient's own stress and anxiety.

Most doctors take the easy, dishonest way out and blame the health problems on the patient's stress and anxiety, rather than just admit that they don't know. This way, quack doctors can charge large amounts of money, even if they are not competent.

My parents started to get mad at me at this point when I complained about my symptoms. They got so bad I wasn't able to sleep, I wouldn't sleep. I didn't know if Id wake up. It was that bad.

It is a shame that your parents are not more supportive. They are just believing the doctors and they are frustrated that they are unable to cure your problems. Sometimes, it is easier for adults to pretend that health problems don't really exist.

My results
Echo = normal, healthy conditioned heart
Stress test = normal, healthy and strong
Holter Monitor = Only two PVCs in 24 hours, and the symptoms I had written in my journal didn't show any heart beat irregularities.

Some health problems are extremely difficult to diagnose and don't show up on standard tests. You were unlucky, so to speak, that you did not have a repeat of your syncope while you were wearing the Holter. If your heart is not malfunctioning, bad enough, while tests are being run, then the tests will show that your heart is OK, even though, at times, there can be serious and possibly dangerous rhythm problems.

I was shocked. My chest got tight on the stress test... Here Im expecting them to find something so I could be treated. Nothing!

I've got heart failure and asthma. When my heart is not pumping very well, I get a tight chest and breathing difficulties. When my asthma is acting up, I get a tight chest and breathing difficulties. I cannot tell, at the time, whether it is my heart, or my asthma, or both, that are causing my problems, and neither can my cardiologist. For me, I'll take a nitro under my tongue. If that doesn't ease my breathing difficulties, I will take my asthma rescue inhaler. If neither helps then I just take it easy, breath slowly and full, and just wait it out.

I feel a lot better now then I did back then. It's been 2 1/2 months. But, I don't feel 100%. I only have a few symptoms that have stuck with me

My main concern now is...after seeing 3 heart doctors, 3 ER visits, no abnormalities on my test? What caused me to pass out? Why did I feel those symptoms. Why do I have a tight chest feeling and occasional shortness of breath? It feels like my heart is smashed up against my sternum? Right in the middle...just pressure. I was feeling this pressure in all the test as well, and nothing abnormal found?! I also get this numb, emptiness feeling on my left side, over my pec and ribcage area. This has all been frustrating and scary.

I wanted to ask you guys if anyone has had a similar experience? What do you personally think happened and what are causing my symptoms now?

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Now
19 years of age
5'11
155lbs
Medical problems
Stressful
Medical history - High BP at 13, untreated (doctors mistake?). HR in 40s. Episode of unexplained syncope.
I've been physically active and played sports up until this incident.

In my opinion, your problems could ALL be related to allergies and chemical sensitivities. During chemical or allergy reactions, besides other uncomfortable symptoms, your body pumps out all kinds of chemicals, or hormones, that can both cause high blood pressure and heart rhythm problems. It is common to suffer from a slight asthma attack, heart rhythm problems, and high blood pressure all at the same time.

Your problems could have started due to a bad cold, flu or infection that you had when you were younger.

It is a complex problem because in many cases it takes multiple allergens and/or multiple chemical irritants to cause a bad reaction.

Regards, and best of luck and health to you! :wave:

Wow!! Thank you for your post.

As far as my blood test and levels. Everything is normal now. My testosterone is back to normal as well.

Well, I've been having some bad allergies lately. Constant runny nose, congested feeling, sneezing 24/7, watering eyes and the whole bit. Last night, I had an little episode of labored breathing. It was difficult to breath in, and it was hard to blow out. After I struggled with that for 5 minutes, it went away but left something special for me. It hurt to breathe in! The deeper breath I took, the tighter my throat would get it. It felt as if my windpipe was just tight and closing with each breath. I went the rest of the night and this morning taking little breaths because it was hurting so bad. I use to have asthma about..9 years ago but eventually grew out of it. I thought my asthma may have come back? I went to my GP today and he did that blow meter thing and said it was fine and it was most likely my allergies. Do you think that small episode was a case of allergies or maybe was that heart related or something else too?

I did my research on the stuff you said. The day before I passed out was totally different then my typical day. I had an infection for about a week and had just been sick. The competition I had was held in some new community about an hour away from my school. There was a lot of construction going on and such. I played sports non stop and didn't hydrate myself as I should have. All I had that day was orange juice in the morning, water at lunch...and a few sips from a water fountain. That was it. Also...maybe there was something in the water? Something that my body didn't care for which threw off all of my "settings?" They catered food from some italian restuarant I've never been to. Did I get a bad plate? I touched a lot of people and items and never washed my hands. Opps? I see where you're coming from. Like I said, that day was totally different than my normal day. You could be right!

I have one more test left so far with my cardiologist. It's a CT scan of the coronary arteries. He's going to check for an anomoly? I think that's what he said.


Another thing I wanted to add. I went running the other day just to see how I would do because ever since the incident I've been...well, kept myself trapped in the house. I noticed that I feel better when I run. I chest opens up, I can breathe and it feels good, but still..not how it use to be. I'm beginning to fear that I'll possibly never feel normal again. Most heart problems...you feel worse if you exert, correct? So maybe its not a heart condition..or atleast not a major one? But also, I feel A LOT better. I'm not bedbound, in a wheel chair or anything. My personality is finally back, I'm happy again...just not 100% where I should be. Where we all should be!

I wanted to thank you and everyone who has replied, again. This all means a lot to me you and guys need to know that!



Edit at 6:30AM
I think I caught something. Usually when I get my episodes of shortness of breath, my left side feels empty and numb. I checked my pulse on my left hand it was REALLY weak. I could barely feel it pulsating. My right arm's pulse was softer than usual, but still ok. Is there something that causes a weak pulse on one side of the body?