I have two questions - Heart Disorders Message Board

Love and War · 03-15-2007, 04:00 PM

I've been complaining about a burning-like pain/discomfort right where my heart is. It happens VERY frequently. My doctor claims it is my esophagus. I had an EKG done and my doctor checked out my heart with a stethoscope. Are these two tests valuable at all in determining if anything is wrong with your heart?

My other question is that whenever I stretch up my heart beats strongly and slowly(for a few seconds). Is this normal?

started04 · 03-15-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Love and War

I've been complaining about a burning-like pain/discomfort right where my heart is. It happens VERY frequently. My doctor claims it is my esophagus. I had an EKG done and my doctor checked out my heart with a stethoscope. Are these two tests valuable at all in determining if anything is wrong with your heart?

My other question is that whenever I stretch up my heart beats strongly and slowly(for a few seconds). Is this normal?

An EKG should provide information regarding your strong and slow heartbeats, but for an EKG to be adequate, the symptoms should be present at the time, otherwise it could be a false negative.

A stethescope listens to to the heart contracting, filling, and blood passage through the valves, etc. Usually, done each time there is a visit. Won't reveal anything regarding your symptoms.

You may generally distinquish heart from esophagus pain as heart chest pain (angina) often happens with some exertion and there is immediate relief with rest.. Also, there is shortness of breath.

The probability favors the doctor's dx.

Lenin · 03-16-2007, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Love and War

I've been complaining about a burning-like pain/discomfort right where my heart is. It happens VERY frequently. My doctor claims it is my esophagus. I had an EKG done and my doctor checked out my heart with a stethoscope. Are these two tests valuable at all in determining if anything is wrong with your heart?

The two test might be valuable but that value is EXTREMELY limited as far as diagnosing angina pain.
Can you RUN at a good clip for 5 minutes?

Does your pain INCREASE with hard aerobic exercise and then stop again when you relax? Do you get short of breath when the pain strikes?
Does taking Prilosec or Zantac for a few days make the pain go away?

You are suffereing EITHER angina or GERD and you must differentiate between the two. An EKG at rest and a stethoscope cannot make that differentiation.

RS23BT · 03-16-2007, 09:36 AM

EKG will determine presence (or absence) of an arrythmia. Stethoscope will enable doctor to hear hearts function, and listen for presence of "3rd heart beat" indicative of heart failure. Some doctors are very conservative. Absent your complaint of other symptoms, such as breathlessness, pain on exertion, dizziness, etc. and negative prognosis based on stethoscope and EKG, his diagnosis was ruled out cardiac issues.

started04 · 03-16-2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RS23BT

EKG will determine presence (or absence) of an arrythmia. Stethoscope will enable doctor to hear hearts function, and listen for presence of "3rd heart beat" indicative of heart failure. Some doctors are very conservative. Absent your complaint of other symptoms, such as breathlessness, pain on exertion, dizziness, etc. and negative prognosis based on stethoscope and EKG, his diagnosis was ruled out cardiac issues.

Well not entirely accurate and somewhat confusing. There arfe 4 normal sounds heard with a scope. S1, the beginning of systole...S2, closing of valves...S3, rush of blood from the atria...S4, atrial contraction and ventricular filling. rarely audible in the normal heart, more likely heard if left ventricle is non-compliant (heart failure). What is a "3rd heart beat"? If there is a third heart beat how would that indicate heart failure? More likely an rhythm disorder.

An EKG may or may not determine the presence of arrhythmia. As stated prior, the rhythm disorder should happen at the time of the EKG to have a valid and useful record. Also, electrical impulses traced with an EKG is not limited to arrhythmia, it can help determine heart muscle damage, enlarged chambers, valve problems, etc.