I just recently was in the ER complaining of dizziness and chest pressure (as I posted the other day). I just went to my follow up appt. with my cardiologist yesterday and he told me that he can ALMOST guarantee that it is not related to my heart since all the tests (especially the nuclear stress test) came back negative. I don't know what to do since as I type this I am experiencing pressure in my chest (about a 6 on a scale of 1-10), discomfort in my left shoulder and arm and the veins in my left forearm are really distended.

My question is how confident should I be that he is guaranteeing that it is not heart related? What could be causing these symptoms? I was told that I may suffer from Vagal Reflux....could this be causing all these symptoms? I was up until almost 4 am last night with chest pressure and abdominal pain.

I am starting go crazy!! I have been dealing with this since I was 8 months pregnant....my son is now 11 months old. I am at a loss anymore.....can anyone help me?

Shell

I just recently was in the ER complaining of dizziness and chest pressure (as I posted the other day). I just went to my follow up appt. with my cardiologist yesterday and he told me that he can ALMOST guarantee that it is not related to my heart since all the tests (especially the nuclear stress test) came back negative. I don't know what to do since as I type this I am experiencing pressure in my chest (about a 6 on a scale of 1-10), discomfort in my left shoulder and arm and the veins in my left forearm are really distended.

My question is how confident should I be that he is guaranteeing that it is not heart related? What could be causing these symptoms? I was told that I may suffer from Vagal Reflux....could this be causing all these symptoms? I was up until almost 4 am last night with chest pressure and abdominal pain.



I am starting go crazy!! I have been dealing with this since I was 8 months pregnant....my son is now 11 months old. I am at a loss anymore.....can anyone help me?

Shell

Hi Shell,

The tests were looking ischemia (lack of blood flow) and apparently didn't find any vessel blockage. Some blockages are difficult to distinguish. To rule out ischemia, ask the doc for a sample of nitroglycerine. It relaxes vessels, and if it is ischemia there will almost always be immediate relief if heart or esphogus related.

I have a friend that can not take statin drugs because it gave him heart attack like symptoms. The 2 times he tried a statin, he ended up in the ER... Are you on a statin drug?

Shell, I had the same type things when I was pregnant and after my child was born. Still have it to this day. Every heart test in the world was given . . . almost all . . . and they seriously think it is stress related. Stress can affect you in the weirdest ways. Lack of iron can also do this. Try taking an iron pill everyday. They are only about 7 dollars at CVS. I would let your doctor know that you are still worried. If it will ease your mind you can ask to be hooked up to a holter monitor. THis is a take home ekg type thing that read your heart constantly for seven days. Some 24 hours and you press the record button when you feel symptoms. You can also make a chart of what you were doing when your symptoms start. Where you anxious, lifting something heavy, after you eat . . . etc. Then show it to your doctor.

You should always follow up with your doctor for these types of worries and all things that are out of the ordinary. Search anxiety and panic attack on the internet, it's suprising how much these things can mimic heart trouble. I've even had panic attacks last for days. Reducing stress is important. It's a win win situation. If it turns out to be heart related - you've helped yourself. And if it is stress - you've also helped yourself! Hope this helps.

God bless!

The only drugs I am currently taking are propranolol, sodium bicar, and they just started me on zoloft since I told them I am now getting anxious because they can't find what is wrong with me. I went to a gastro doc today and he is starting me on protonix and they scheduled an endoscopy for me....oh joy! He believes this is all acid related since it started when I was pregnant about a year ago. Hopefully this will find something.


Shell

Hmm . . .they tried to start me on proponal - I spelled that wrong . . . but since they thought it was all anxiety related I thought it would make me feel worse. I'm sure it will all work out. Let us know how the test goes! =)

TWA,

Distended blood vessels in your left forearm is the real fly in this ointment...I've never HEARD of such a thing? <confused>

Is it marked; do the doctors see and remark on the distended veins?

I brought up about the distended veins in my forearm at my follow up appt. on Monday and the cardio said it must be from the IV.....I then explained that I am left handed so I had them put it in my right arm instead. He also then seemed confused but brushed it off. I see my PCP on Monday for my hospital follow up with them. This has been going on for awhile and of course when I was in the hospital it didn't really do it to where I could show someone. I also have been having swelling in my left hand and fingers for quite some time....could the distended veins be related to this? I am at a loss anymore.... the chest pressure is back with avengence but I don't want to go back to the hospital because I feel like I am wasting my time because they have no idea what is wrong!

Shell

Shell,


Do you have any diuretics around the house? How is your BP?

There is a possibility of a compromised blood vessel OUTSIDE your heart, that they wouldn't see on a nuclear stress test.

(Just guessing here.)

Lenin,

I have lower BP so they have me on Sodium bicar 3X a day to naturally raise my BP since I hate the test of salt. The chest pressure does seem to be worse since I have started to take it. Do you think this could have anything to do with it? I am starting to get scared!

Shell

TWA,

Test yourself.
Stop the sodium bicarbonate for a week or so and see if you feel better.

Yes I think it could be tied into your symptoms.

I had an EKG that came back abnormal. They are making me go to a cardiologist immediately which scares me a lot. I was supposed to have my gallbladder out today but they canceled the surgery due to the EKG. I wonder if the fact that I took Claritin D the day of the test made the test bad or the fact that the doctor put me on potassium and lasix the week before for BP.

I had gone to my regular doctor because my BP was up and my feet were swollen and instead of changing my meds he gave me Lasix and Potassium to take. I felt like that was stupid but the swelling in my feet went down so I figured it was okay.

I wish I did not have to wait and wonder.:confused: