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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
is what I'm experiencing a heart attack or somethings else clogged up.
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
is what I'm experiencing a heart attack or somethings else clogged up.
by MinkyBlueEyes, Jan 25, 2005 12:00AM
I had Chemistry test performed December 17th 2004.
Everything was fine except some of the liver tests.
The GGT 56 Range 11-55 Slightly High
ALT 82 Range 10-44 High
ALP 78 Range 38-110 ok
AST 44 Range 5-40 High
Cholesterol was 220 Range 0-199 a little high
all the other numbers were within range:
Bilirubin tot .8 range .2-1.2
ALbumin 4.6 range 3.5-5.0
TOT protien 7.2 range 6.0-8.2
sodium 139 range 135-145
potassium 4.3 range 3.5-5.1
creatinine 1.3 range .7-1.5
tryglycerieds 145 range 35-160
glucose 92 range 65-109
The thyroid and PSA tested ok as well.
I've had tightness in my chest in late November that lasted 5 days ( I thought it was indigestion) On the 5th day I realized what might be happening and went to the store and purchased Bayer aspirin. Upon taking two tablets under my tongue it was just a few minutes later that I finally had relief. Two days before Christmas my left arm started hurting like a pinched nerve. Since then I take aspirin every few days when the pain gets to painful. I visited a local doctor on 1-13-2005 and had an EKG run, it was ok, bp about 135/100 (not sure why it was so high) normally it is ok, it is now. I also had a test for hepatitis, it came back normal.
My doctor does not think this is a heart attack. The past week my left arm and hand have had tremendous pressure inside, like its going to explode, also my left hand and forearm are often numb. Again taking aspirin seems to relieve some of the pressure.
The last few days I've had a lump in my through area kind of feeling with a stinging, sometimes warm feeling in my upper chest just under the clavicle on the left side. I have no insurance so I really can't afford to visit the DR too many more times. I also yawn about 60% of the time regardless of how much sleep I get.
Most of my male siblings have died of H however my half brother had a heart attack in January 2004, he is 4 years older than me. I am 43 years, non-smoker/non-drinker. I weight about 165 and am about 5'8". I sometimes have a half teaspoon of Folgers coffee in with my hot cocoa, other than that I don't drink cups of coffee either. If what I'm experiencing is not a heart attack, what could it be? Doesn't the high alt indicate that something is dying or being injured?
(I was a biomedical tech for about 15 years) My blood pressure is generally ok about 140/70. I check it every night since last week when the pain was getting really bad.
Thanks for your assistance in this matter.
JSZ
Everything was fine except some of the liver tests.
The GGT 56 Range 11-55 Slightly High
ALT 82 Range 10-44 High
ALP 78 Range 38-110 ok
AST 44 Range 5-40 High
Cholesterol was 220 Range 0-199 a little high
all the other numbers were within range:
Bilirubin tot .8 range .2-1.2
ALbumin 4.6 range 3.5-5.0
TOT protien 7.2 range 6.0-8.2
sodium 139 range 135-145
potassium 4.3 range 3.5-5.1
creatinine 1.3 range .7-1.5
tryglycerieds 145 range 35-160
glucose 92 range 65-109
The thyroid and PSA tested ok as well.
I've had tightness in my chest in late November that lasted 5 days ( I thought it was indigestion) On the 5th day I realized what might be happening and went to the store and purchased Bayer aspirin. Upon taking two tablets under my tongue it was just a few minutes later that I finally had relief. Two days before Christmas my left arm started hurting like a pinched nerve. Since then I take aspirin every few days when the pain gets to painful. I visited a local doctor on 1-13-2005 and had an EKG run, it was ok, bp about 135/100 (not sure why it was so high) normally it is ok, it is now. I also had a test for hepatitis, it came back normal.
My doctor does not think this is a heart attack. The past week my left arm and hand have had tremendous pressure inside, like its going to explode, also my left hand and forearm are often numb. Again taking aspirin seems to relieve some of the pressure.
The last few days I've had a lump in my through area kind of feeling with a stinging, sometimes warm feeling in my upper chest just under the clavicle on the left side. I have no insurance so I really can't afford to visit the DR too many more times. I also yawn about 60% of the time regardless of how much sleep I get.
Most of my male siblings have died of H however my half brother had a heart attack in January 2004, he is 4 years older than me. I am 43 years, non-smoker/non-drinker. I weight about 165 and am about 5'8". I sometimes have a half teaspoon of Folgers coffee in with my hot cocoa, other than that I don't drink cups of coffee either. If what I'm experiencing is not a heart attack, what could it be? Doesn't the high alt indicate that something is dying or being injured?
(I was a biomedical tech for about 15 years) My blood pressure is generally ok about 140/70. I check it every night since last week when the pain was getting really bad.
Thanks for your assistance in this matter.
JSZ
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jan 26, 2005 12:00AM
, Jan 26, 2005 12:00AM
With the elevated cholesterol and blood pressure, you have some risk factors for heart disease. I cannot comment on whether your specific event was heart related or not. I would think that an exercise stress test is a reasonable test to evaluate whether heart disease is present.
If the cardiac workup is negative, you can consider the GI route - including GERD, an ulcer, or inflammation of the upper digestive tract. An upper GI series or upper endoscopy (the latter being the more comprehensive test), can be considered to evaluate this. If this test is negative, I would next pursue an abdominal ultrasound to evaluate the liver and gallbladder.
You may want to consider these options with your personal physician.
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.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
If the cardiac workup is negative, you can consider the GI route - including GERD, an ulcer, or inflammation of the upper digestive tract. An upper GI series or upper endoscopy (the latter being the more comprehensive test), can be considered to evaluate this. If this test is negative, I would next pursue an abdominal ultrasound to evaluate the liver and gallbladder.
You may want to consider these options with your personal physician.
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.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
