why do i feel i am not being treated properly

[COGNAKER]

I am a 35 year old male and have recently suffered a heart attack (february 25, 2009).  I had 1 stent put in my right coronary artery and was told told all other arteries were clear.  In the hospital for 2 nights and released on the 3rd day.  Had an echo with showed 50-60% ejection fraction?  Given all the usual medications (aspirin, plavix, crestor, an ace inhibitor and a beta blocker.  Visited my cardiologist for the 1st time since on May 5th.  Did a quick listen to my heart and checked my blood pressure and said i am doing great and sent me on my way.  I complained of some discomfort in my chest, some pains, and light headedness and dizziness that comes whenever I stand up. He said i am fine and almost said he could guarantee i wouldn't have another episode for at least 10 years.  I am only 35 so this scared me.  I have my first stress test scheduled for sometime in August, which seems very far away considering i don't know if all is well or not.  I walk every other day at a brisk pace for 30 minutes and ride a stationary bycycle the days i don't walk.  I have lost 30lbs and am now considered to have a normal bmi.  However my problem is i cannot shake the feeling that i am not feeling well and that another episode is looming.  Will this feeling pass soon, should i insist on a stess test sooner? Is there anything i can do or take to get by all the little aches and pains in my chest that i constantly worry about? I am flying in july and am worried about travelling, i have a 16 month old baby boy and a pregnant wife.  I want to be able to enjoy all this.  Any past stories or advice would be much appreciated as i look forward to getting on with my life.  Thanks

[grendslori]

Your worst enemy is not your heart at the moment, it's your fear. The reason your doctor has scheduled your stress test out a few months is because you have had a heart attack. Your heart is in the process of healing itself and he isn't going to want you to risk doing more damage by doing such a stressful test on the heart at this point in time. Your EF is normal and that's a wonderful sign; it means that you are not in Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Sometimes that can happen during a heart attack. The pains that you are feeling are not the same pains that you had due to your heart attack; these are what is called 'healing pains' and almost every person has them as the body heals and returns to normal. You really are doing well; if you weren't, you certainly would never be able to be doing the exercises that you are. Enjoy your wife, your baby and the new baby to come; enjoy life!

[Encephalomalcia]

The lightheadness and dizziness is usually caused by the heart medication.  Doctors prefer to have the blood pressure low and when standing from a sitting position can create dizziness and lightheadness.  When you get up in the morning, sit on the edge of the bed for awhile so that your blood pressure adjusts and then get up slowly.  That should help a lot.  As far as the aches and pains in your chest, make sure that you are not overdoing the biking.  If the pain continues, then you should move up your stress test.  It is good to be active, but I think a lot of people tend to overdo it soon after their procedure.  It is best to ease into it.  You will have to have your doctor's okay to be able to fly.  Our cousin has to get the okay from his doctor every time he comes to the US from Denmark. He had a heart attack and has stents and is doing well now.  I do not think I can keep up with him and he is a lot older than myself and I have not been diagnosed with any heart disease to date.  Take your medication as prescribed by your doctor is the best advise I can give.  The medication really does help in preventing future heart attacks. Take care and try not to worry.  Make sure to see your doctor sooner if you are having a lot of chest pain or shortness of breath.  

[loofa]

Hello COGNAKER,

if you're anything like me, you're constantly worried about the smallest little things. In this case, because of the fact that you actually had a heart attack, you have good reason to. If I were you, I'd take an aspirin a day just to keep your circulation good. Keep your thoughts under control by knowing that if anything does go wrong, 911 is only minutes away. And keep an aspirin in your pocket at all times just in case!

However, if your discomfort worsens over the next week or 2, THEN i'd recommend the stress test earlier.

Best of luck