macgyver1994

Hello –

I’m a 34 year old male, 6’3, 225 lbs, social smoker, in fair physical condition with an unknown family history (I was adopted as an infant). For the last year I’ve had soreness in my sternum that appears to be muscular (I can recreate the soreness my flexing my pectoral muscles, and it is sometimes a little sore when I push on the sternum – I suspect it is costochrondritis – but my doctor doesn’t sound concerned about)

Approximately 3 months ago I was experiencing a “shocking” sensations and dizziness (maybe lightheadedness – the room wasn’t spinning) at night when I was trying to sleep. After a week of this, I was trying to sleep when I had a strong dizzy (lightheaded) feeling and then two occurrences of chest tightness, each lasting no more than 15 seconds, about a minute apart. I noticed that my heart was racing after this – but I think due to my anxiety level after the chest tightness. This sent me to the emergency room as I actually thought I was having a heart attack.

Since then, I have seen a cardiologist and taken several ECGs, an echocardiograph, 24-hour halter monitor, and stress test. The following info was provided to me by my doctor – they don’t think my symptoms are cardiac related:

ECG – normal
ECHO – mild LAE, RAE, mildly dilated LV – but he is large tall male
Holter – NSR, rare PACs, 33% of beats in bradycardia. (I had no event while on the monitor)
Stress – negative - Arrhythmias: ventricular premature beats-isolated.

I have also had an endoscope and colonoscopy (as I feel I’ve been slightly bloated for some time before and after the event). These came out normal, except for slight esophigitis, for which I just started taking Nexium. As of writing this summary, it hasn’t seemed to make any difference in either my stomach bloating or other symptoms.

Since the initial event 3 months ago, I’ve notice some random heart palpitations (feel like they might be missing a beat or adding another – just not always consistent) and random strong heartbeat, not necessarily fast – but strong (Sometimes it even keeps me from falling asleep at night). Also since the event, I have had a random feeling of being off-kilter, like I’m on a ship. The severity changes from day to day.

Two weeks ago I was sitting at my desk reading e-mails (and generally feeling fine) and suddenly felt dizzy (lightheaded) and then felt this intense pressure come over my chest, lasting only 10 seconds, then gone. Noticed my heart racing. I went to the clinic again, and again another negative ECG. My doctor doesn’t know what can cause this – and I just found out that my brain MRI came out clear. He thinks is might be an esophageal spasm of some sort – but when I do research online it seems that these spasms last for hours/days – and not 10 or so seconds.

Last week Just today I was sitting at my desk as before and felt my chest sort of heave (like a heart palpitation) and then another intense wave of dizziness (lightheadness). But no chest pressure. This event only lasted a couple seconds.

Today I am struggling with similar symptoms. My stomach feels bloated, I have some on-and-off chest pressure, some dizziness (lightheadedness), and some heart palpitations.

Up until today I was thinking my problems could be neurological or stress related – though I don’t feel stressed and have no history with it. But feeling the heart palpitation today has really made me wonder about my heart. Also – None of the doctors I have gone to can tell me what would cause such short term (10 second) chest pressure and intense dizziness (lightheadedness). Another concern is my sore chest (as I described at the top of this summary) – I have this pretty much all the time in the center of my chest (right on the sternum). When I flex my pectorial muscles it causes intense pain up and down my sternum. I am basically trying to figure out what could cause all these symptoms.

Do you believe any of my symptoms are may be heart related, and if so, what would you recommend as my next course of action? I would appreciate any advice!

Thank you - Josh