Chest Pain

Hi,

I'm 47,female. Recently,in June, had Nuclear Stress Test and echo cardiogram. All was normal except echo showed mvp with 1 plus regurgitation. I wake up almost everynight and sometimes, not often, with a sharp pain in my upper chest, but it never last more than a minute or so. I start to sweat, because it scares me to death and my heart rate increases. I am now wearing a thirty day King of Hearts. I always record when there is that pain. Will a King of Hearts identify any of the sharp pains? How successful is a Nuclear Test in identifing coronary heart disease? If it were angina wouldn't I have it when I exercise and really stressed? As I mentioned I only have had the pain twice in eight days. I have been told I have severe anxiety disorder, but cannot tolerate the side effects of meds. I am also in therapy. I have become totally obsessed with every little twinge. I am trying hard to gain control, but every episode sets me back to day one.This forum is a great comfort for me, especially when I am having a down day. Thank You.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Marty,

Be assured that many others experience similar symptoms and once serious causes have been ruled out you can rest knowing that "this too will pass".  The King of Hearts is used to detect heart rhythms that could cause pain.  Nuclear testing is very effective in identifying heart disease and you would have angina during exercise if you were having it.  There are many meds for anxiety disorders so I would recommend working with your doctor or a mental health specialist to find a therapy that is right for you.