Tightness in chest - Heart Disorders Message Board

KaP · 09-22-2003, 08:29 PM

Hi all, Saturday I was walking about a half mile with hubby&friends from the car to do volunteer work and got winded. I had tightness in the center of my chest. I have had an ekg and stress test before(in May)and thalium stress test only showed heart scarring. Should I be concerned? I seem to get out of breath doing the most normal things such as walking from the living room to the kitchen which is only about 10 steps at the most and when I get up to answer the phone I am breathless. When I had the stress test 5 months ago the dr.(PCP)said the scarring might have been a previous heart attack, but with no other signs of heart problems this was nothing to worry about. I like my PCP, but should I see a cardio for this or is it truly nothing to worry about?
Thanks.
KaP

khudsonwv · 09-22-2003, 09:21 PM

i would have your PCP refer you to a cardiologist to be on the safe side.. a work up wouldn't hurt and would put your mind at ease.. they can review your family history - your health history - previous test results and get an updated ekg and additional testing to rule out the basics.. again its better to be safe than sorry .. best of luck to you

KaP · 09-22-2003, 09:48 PM

Thank you, khudsonwv for your quick response. I did ask him if I should see a cardio and he said it was up to me. He said the only other option to rule out heart problems is to have a cath and since I've had a blood clot and am on coumadin it would not be something to do unless it was really worrying me.
Thanks,
KaP

cutup · 09-23-2003, 07:04 AM

KaP
Get yourself checked out by a cardiologist. The shortness of breath and chest tightness upon exertion is a concern. Have you ever had a nuclear stress test? This might show if there are areas of the heart that are not getting enough oxygen.

KaP · 09-23-2003, 08:14 PM

Cutup,
I had a thalium stress test in May. Is that the same thing as a nuclear test? I don't know what any of the results were except for the heart scarring. I guess you are right and I should see a cardio with this on-going concern about the tightness and the breathlessness.
Thanks a lot.
KaP