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Is the heart really OK?

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Posted 7/20/2006 9:03 PM (GMT 0)

Hi:
I am a 44 yoa 6'6" 200 lb male-- never had a health problem in my life. Over the past several months, that's changed. I began feeling really chlostrophobic, expeiencing difficluty breathing at night, sweating at night, mild chest and abdominal discomfort, and very little desire to eat because of the bloated feeling. I also feel fatigued-- I cannot take brisk walks and bike rides like I could just a few weeks ago. Here are the tests that have been done so far:

1. EKG-- checked OK

2. Treadmill stress echo-- checked OK

3. Nuclear perfusion scan-- checked OK

4. Chest x-ray-- checked OK

5. Pulmonary tests and O2-- checked OK

6. Prescibed Xanax-- helps a bit with my anxiety of the unknown.

Coming up next week, my doctor has ordered a scope test of my esophogas and a GI and an ultrasound. They are now checking for hiatal hernia or whatever else might turn up.

If the cardiologist said my heart looks OK, and I have no profile that would indicate heart problems, shold I rest assured that the heart is OK? Can I comfortably mark that off my list of concerns? When I wake up at night sweating and feeling tightness in my chest, I still get really afraid that a heart attack might be coming on. I breathe slowly, try tp relax, and eventually go back to sleep. But I still worry about my heart. Is it really OK?

Steve

Posted 7/20/2006 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Steve, I am sorry to say that the first 3 tests you had can and sometimes are wrong. Anxiety can cause tightness in the chest, also.

Once I had ulcers and eventually had 2 endoscopic analysis' done. You may find your answers after these next tests.

If you have a dull, burning pain radiating from your heart into your left arm and/or jaw, please take it serious. These are the symptoms I had before a heart attack. They are common for men, but not so much for women, that are having a heart attack.

You could be waking up with esophageal spasms, due to stomach acid, that can cause tightness and burning in the chest.

Hope to hear good results from your tests.

Rj

P.S. Have you tried an antacid such as Zantac, before you go to sleep?

Post Edited (Aldo) : 7/20/2006 4:41:02 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/21/2006 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Steve,  I just wanted to Welcome you to Healing Well forum.  We are happy to have you.  I wonder if you have ever had a problem with anxiety before this?  If not than I would say that you most certianly need to keep on the doctors about what you feel may be a problem here.  Of course anxiety can cause the symptoms you have described but being that your 44 yrs old and if you have never had a problem before with anxiety then I would say there is more going on.  It is good that their checking for possiable stomach problems, as that could also be a cause for it.  Please do feel free to continue to post and let us know how your doing.  Take care  
Posted 7/24/2006 10:16 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Steve,

                I, too, would be very interested to hear the results from your next tests. The symptoms you describe are very similar to the ones I have + I have noticeable premature beats at different times in the day.

Would you say you had a stressful job? Mine is pretty stressful and I haven't had a vacation for well over a year, and it's really wearing me at the moment. Sometimes I'll be completely calm and relaxed, enjoying something, then suddenly and for no reason I can feel a change inside me which is kind of a cooling feeling and some chest tightness. This then turns into clear anxiety, and for absolutely no reason.

It's pretty interesting really, as this has happened quite often. I don't feel any stress at all about it now, I just observe and feel these strange changes.

I made a series of lifestyle changes that really helped to minimize my symptoms, but I can't say I'm completely rid of them or their unpredictability.

I'll be turning 40 this year. I've heard it suggested that this kind of thing is just the natural aging process, and that when it happens it's worrying, so it makes the symptoms worse.

I'm taking a vacation this Sept. and quitting my job, so I'm going to see if this cures the problem.

We'll see. In the meantime, good luck with the tests. Try to avoid medications if possible, especially long-term ones.

Chris

Posted 7/25/2006 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your kind responses. I had the ultrasound on my abdominal area today-- pancreas, gall bladder, liver, kidneys. etc. The only pain I felt was when the sonorapher pressed down on my diaphragm with the imager. He told me that was the area of my abdominal aorta. He took many images and they will be read and reveiwed with me soon. Later today, I meet with a specialist to schedule the scope and possibly the GI. I feel best when my stomach is empty, and worse when it is full. The indigestion has never been so bad

I think the panic and anxiety issues are real, but separate from the other as yet undiagnosed problem. We're getting closer to figuring this stuff out. Maybe this entry should not be under the "HEART" category.

Again, I'll keep you posted.
Thanks,
Steve
Posted 7/25/2006 4:54 PM (GMT 0)

:-)  oh please Steve, we want you to stay here. we all have experienced the symptoms you describe. i had the endoscopy about a year ago and it is very easy to get through. i ended up with a diagnosis of hiatal hernia, gastritis and gerd,yada yada. i want to know what your test results show, only at that time if there are no visible problems would you consider the heart. please keep posting here.  you did not mention your blood pressure or your cholesteral info, did they do those tests also?

Posted 7/26/2006 6:39 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Steve,

              Definitely post back here, as many heart forum viewers have your symptoms. While the problem may not be the heart itself, the heart is being affected by other health issues and these side effects can be very disturbing.

Your indegestion comments point to the parasympathetic nervous system and the Vagus nerve which is connected to both the digestive system and the heart. If you have stomach problems, for whatever reason, it can irritate the vagus nerve which, in turn disrupts the nerve impulses to the heart, causing benign palpitations.

You have your doctor on the trail now so, aside from that, you should have a close look at your lifestyle. Stress, diet and routines can cause these problems. I greatly improved my situation by drinking yogurt twice a day, upping my fruit and veg intake (esp. apples for the stomach), eating nuts (heart healthy fats and a good source of minerals for nerve tone). I also don't eat for three hours before sleeping to make sure I'm not digesting in bed.

Stop eating red meats for the moment, as they are hard work for the stomach.

Good luck and let us know your results,

Chris

Posted 7/27/2006 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your e-mail, Chris and others. It appears what you said in the first paragraph of your post os correct. My heart does not appear to be the problem, but it is effected by other concerns. My ultrasound on Tuesday looked good, but based on the description of my "discomforts", the doctor scheduled me for my scope YESTERDAY. So that is over and done with. No hernia, but I have gastritis and gastroesophogal acid reflux disease. They did the usual biopsy from the stomach. I'll learn about those re****s later.

Interestingly, they scheduled me for a HIDA test next Monday. It seems as if GERD and gall bladder problems frequently accompny one another. It also seems that GERD frequently causes the chest pains that I am feeling. So again, not necessarily heart problems, but concerns nonetheless.

No medication has yet been prescribed to me. I was in such a fog after the scope yesterday, that I reallly did not have much of a consulting session with the doctor. I'll call him later today to learn more about what they saw or did not see with the endoscopy.

You guys are great to "listen". I hope I can be an encouragment to some of you sometime.

Stay tuned!
Steve
Posted 7/28/2006 5:29 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Steve,

                Good for you on the heart side of things. This is often the problem when the heart alerts us first. We think it's primarily a heart issue, but it's more complicated than that. Unfortunately it takes time and plenty of researching before it becomes clear.

I think we'd all appreciate it if you could let us know how your doctor wants to deal with the problem, and also what lifestyle suggestions he makes.

Hope you've checked the section of this site that covers your condition.

Regards,

Chris

Posted 7/28/2006 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
Steve,  I am glad all your tests in the heart department checked out well.  Please keep us updated on how your doing...Take care
Posted 7/29/2006 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
:-)  DITTO   (what Elisha said)
Posted 8/3/2006 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Results are in for the HIDA scan--their exact words were "Your Gall bladder is not working and needs to come out." I am very relieved that they found what is likely the source of most of the problems, and EXTREMELY relieved that I can put my mind to rest about my heart. The chest pains are what alerted me in the first place, so I am glad I listened to my body.

Hopefully I'll get the gall bladder out in the next week or two and them begin to feel noticeable relief. I'll let you know.

Steve
Posted 8/4/2006 11:06 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Steve,

               Sorry to hear that you have to lose something, but they seem very sure about the diagnosis, so best of luck with the op.

We all hope to hear you're fighting fit and back 'on' the saddle in a few weeks.

Regards,

Chris

Posted 8/9/2006 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again one and all for the encouragement. I saw the surgeon yesterday. He wants to wait at least one more week before making the decision to remove the gall bladder. He wants to see if my chest and back discomfort and shortness of breath subside as a result of the Prevacid (for acid reflux).

I am still not 100% convinced that I do not have a heart problem-- such as angina. My wife makes every effort to remind me that the $20,000 worth of tests have concluded that the heart, lungs, and circulatory system are operating normally. She reminds me that I am on Xanax for anxiety, and she tries to assure me that once the gall bladder is out in a week or two, the heart and back pain will be alleviated.

I pray that she is correct. I feel like a big baby. My family, friends, and co-workers are tired of hearing about it, so I will angst in silence-- excepty for the occasional posting here.

Thanks for "listening".

Steve
Posted 8/9/2006 2:39 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Steve,

               You mentioned Xanax (which I found useful) and anxiety in the same sentence, so I thought you might like to check this out:

http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/anxiety/AFP_panic.html

I've posted this link before and find its contents very interesting regarding symptoms and tips on dealing with stress and feelings of panic.

Regards,

Chris

Posted 8/23/2006 3:24 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Again:

Just an update-- the gall bladder is out and all went well with the surgery. My chest pain has subsided, but I still have some back ache-- especially after sitting at my computer for any length (but that is probably fairly common for those of us with desk jobs).

The only new symptom I have is numbness in my left arm and leg. That might be a reaction to some of the medication-- who knows. If it persists after I have fully recovered from the surgery, then I guess I'll mention it to the cardiologist or to my primary care physician.

Anyway-- thanks for the comfort that you all have provided me by giving me an outlet to vent and express concerns, and by your kind replies. I know I have anxiety and I know everything is still not "normal" but the process of diagnosis and healing can be a long one. This forum really alleviates some of the fear that accompanies all that I have been through this summer.

Thanks,
Steve

Posted 8/31/2006 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Steve, I am sorry for the late reply I have been on vacation.  I am glad that you are on the road to recovery and hope that you are able to get back to feeling well before all this began.  Please do feel free to keep us updated we would love to hear from you and are always here.  Take care

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