Angina or my mind?

[LarrytheAstronaute]

anyone experience chest pains with exertion? and i mean any kind of exertion, yet all heart tests come back negative? ihave acid reflux, chest muscle problems, back muscle knots, anxiety, yet i am scared because everytime i walk fast or climb stairs i get chest pains, ive done 3 stress tests all fine and a host of other tests.


This discussion is related to rapid heart rate and chest pain.

[ed34]

Have you had an Angiogram? There are some people who seem to filter through all the usual tests and yet have a blockage forming in a coronary artery. However, if your heart isn't getting the right oxygen level, it doesn't necessarily mean a heart problem. It could be a lung or pulmonary problem. Have you had a lung function test? and had the oxygen behaviour in your Arteries tested? It isn't a matter of wearing the finger clip and seeing what your 02 states, the more important test is taken from the blood.

[LarrytheAstronaute]

I have not had an  angiogram, the doctors dont see a point. I have had 3 stress tests an echo stress test tons of ekgs xrays blood tests. It does comfort me that i passed so many stress tests, yet its scary to climb stairs and get chest pains or walk a block and get chest pains. Strange thing is, when i did get my stress tests i was in the same situation i am now, yet i was fine in the doctors office. Doing normal activities sets my heart off to 120-140 bpr yet i am fine when on a stationary bike, even though i do get chest pains on the bike as well.

[ed34]

You should tell your Cardiologist that you require an explanation for the chest pains. You can also tell them that EKGs do not always show up an artery problem. When I had a stress test, I complained to the operator that my chest was hurting and he said "nothing showing here, keep going".  If you look at my Angiogram from the time, you would be shocked that nothing showed on the EKG. My right artery has several blockages and the left artery had hardly any blood at all. Echocardiograms have never revealed anything to suggest a problem, they always reflect a very healthy heart. Nuclear perfusion tests have always shown a good blood supply to all areas of the heart muscle, yet this totally contradicted my symptoms and my angiogram. I'm sure that I'm not an unusual case or totally out of the ordinary which is why we hear about people diagnosed as healthy dropping dead. Keep on at your Cardiologist and make him admit the fact. Tell him to put it in writing that an EKG/Stress test proves no Coronary Artery problems and I bet he/she will suddenly want to investigate further. We don't get chest pains for no reason and to rule out Heart problems, they need to look at the coronary arteries. A CT scan may suffice if you don't want to go through with angio procedures.
If it turns out to be clear, great, you have peace of mind and haven't hurt anyone in finding out.

[LarrytheAstronaute]

What were your symptoms prior to your cardiac testings that prompted you to pursue a cardiologist? How many stress tests did you go through and did you always get chest pains when doing a stress test? As i said i have had 3 and even when i had no tests aside of an ekg and blood work my own doctor wouldn't pursue anything more claiming "you have had a complete and thorough work up", so i changed my doctor. Sadly my stigma as a patient with acid reflux and fibromaylgia (fibromyalgia) is enough for most doctors to jump to the conclusion that "oh aha there's your answer".