As I've said in other threads, I have a minor case of p.e. (pectus excavatum). Although I've seen many pictures showing severe p.e. which is far from what I have, I still worry about heart compression. When my asked my doctor about it she seemed completely unconcerned with it, probably because she told me her son has p.e. and it's worse than mine and he has no issues.

However, I still wonder. What can be a sign of it? I know a guy who had corrective surgery for p.e. He said he had no shortness or breath or anything, but when he ran the test at the hospital they found on the machine he had heart compression. He said before he had the surgery though, if he put a tv remote on his chest, his relaxed heartbeat would shake the remote so much that it would wobble up and down a solid inch or so. With me doing the same test, it barely moves.

But still, I'm left wondering about this. What are some signs? Should I even bother worrying? I do this a lot, get myself worked up over something so ridiculous. But still, I want to be as healthy as possible.

But still, I'm left wondering about this. What are some signs? Should I even bother worrying? I do this a lot, get myself worked up over something so ridiculous. But still, I want to be as healthy as possible.

Hemodynamics effects of heart compression depends on location and degree of compression. Intra cardiac pressures are increased and the heart's output and stroke volume will be compromised. To what degree depends in proportion to the degree of compression.

Symptoms would be shortness of breath, low tolerance for exercise, muscle fatgue with exertion, faster heart rate, etc.

I don't have any of that really. The only time I have shortness of breath or anything is when I have anxiety. You know, you're sitting at home, real quiet, relaxing evening, and all of the sudden you completely forgot you had to take a final exam today and missed it. You know, that sort of thing. Then my heart rate obviously speeds up and I just feel "wooooo" for a few seconds. But for the most part I think I'm okay when active when it comes to breathing and heartrate and such. I did notice last time I went bike riding, I rode 18 miles. I was reaaaaally short on breath, whereas the girl I was with wasn't. However, I haven't biked that hard since summer, she has, plus she hikes about 5 times a week for a few hours at a time. So I just excused it as me being out of shape for me having to breathe heavier to keep up. On top of that, the harsh cold air we were biking in I believe may of been another reason I was like that.

The only thing I was doing at home was, I was putting my index and middle finger side by side, and pressing my fingertips down into my chest. Then I'd breathe steadily and easily for a few seconds until I could feel my heartbeat. Then I'd move my fingers slowly more to the center (where I have the slight dip) and see where the evident heartbeats stop. They seem to stop just before the dip starts, so judging by where the beats are felt it seems fine. On top of that with the doctor's reaction to "ahh, that's fine. My son has it worse and he's fine" makes me feel more at ease.

But still, I find myself asking questions. Then again, I tend to freak out over medical stuff.