reflux?heart? or chrostrol medicenes

im a young 74 year old female had reflux all my adult life,tried all meds,  had preasure  causing  what seemed to be heart trouble felt like heart was skipping or adding a extra hard beat set off nerves alarming always worse when i had cold or cough and when i lay down  then i was started on nexium works good no heart burn still have bloating after eating sometimes very seldon had  what felt like heart trouble if i missed a couple of days the feeling came back, i have worn heart monitors a cardlite test catheration  all teat normal no heart problem untill a few months ago  i had a large polick removed from my colon was found nodule in my lung one on my thyroid gland we did the wait three month and see and nothing has changed   i have had low blood presure all my life untill now chlostrol and blood pressure are high, my question is what coused the blood presure to go high and  i have a problen taking chrostrol meds  one bloats me till i can hardley breathe another gives me headache that i cant hardley  get out of bed with the last one i was on brought the heart beats  back and some times i feel like my heart is floating away which is so alarming i think im dying but just befor i call for help it leaves as quick as it came, there is one chlostrol med that i had no problems with its called zetia 10mg but the doc said it helped but not enough, could i double the dose?  i want my health back please help thank you

[Kevin Pho, MD]

If the cardiac catheterization was normal, it is extremely unlikely that coronary artery disease is the cause of your problem.  The heart monitor that you had would be the most reasonable test to evaluate for any arrhythmias - if negative, again that would be unlikely be the problem.

If you are continuing to have chest pressure, I would consider an upper GI evaluation.  This would start with an upper GI series - which can evaluate for an inflammation or ulcers which could be causing your symptoms.  You may also want to consider a 24-hr pH study to evaluate for reflux.  

Zetia normally only comes in 10mg and I would not recommend a higher dose.  There are many categories of cholesterol medication, and you may want to discuss if medications from seperate classes would benefit you.  

The same can be said for blood pressure.  If there is no acute event, there are many blood pressure medication choices.  If it cannot be controlled, then a referral to a specialist can be considered.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.