Angina in 42 yr old female

Posted By  CCF CARDIO MD sc on October 20, 1997 at 17:13:34:

In Reply to: Angina in 42 yr old female posted by D T Stant on October 16, 1997 at 22:39:51:

: My wife has had 2 (3 days apart) recent episodes (August) of severe angina radiating to the jaw.  Her ekg's showed an inverted T wave..others subsequent to this were normal, as was the stress-echo.  She still complains of fatigue, occasional tachycardia and occasional low grade angina, sometimes radiating to the back.  Local cardiologist can confirm nothing, but says an ekg during the severe pain phase would be helpful--although he admits ekg's have limited diagnostic usefulness in women.  Not sure what to do at this point...Her physical profile and history is incongruous with her symptoms...yet her life is not normal...need help!

[CCF Cardio MD sc]

Dear Mr. Stant
I can understand the frustration you and your wife must be going through. Unfortunately this is not an uncommon problem especially in women. Chest pain may arise from the many organs and structures  that are present in the chest. Obviously it is cardiac pain that commands the most attention because of its potentially serious nature and the many different treatment  modalities that exist to prevent the potential complications. The other common causes of chest discomfort arise from the intestinal tract, more specifically the stomach and the esophagus and unfortunately it may mimic cardiac pain, and pain arising from the muscles lining the chest. In your wife