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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Did I have a heart attack?
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Did I have a heart attack?
by Transatlanticism, May 12, 2007 12:00AM
I'm an 18 year old girl. I smoked on and off for about 2 years, and still socially smoke on ocassion. I rarely do any exercise, but am of optimal weight. I eat for the most part, fairly healthy.
A little under a year ago, I had my first episode of chest discomfort. I was lying down getting ready to go to sleep when I felt a tightening in my chest, followed by nausea, sweating, and light-headedness. I saw my doctor and he said it was probably a spasm in one of the chest muscles, or something breathing-related, and most likely didn't have anything to do with the heart..
About 3 months later, I started getting daily palpitations. Around 3-7 skipped beats a day that I could feel in my chest. I thought it wasn't anything, but just wanted to get it checked out to make sure. My doctor took an EKG and it was abnormal- he then sent me to a cardiologist. The cardiologist had me wear a 24-hour heart monitor, and after wearing it, they found that I had 12 irregular beats. They said that it wasn't enough for medication and that we'll just watch it closely. They also took a stress test and an echocardiography- both of which turned out normal.
Since then, I've continued to have the irregular beats, though not as often. They seem to come and go, being more prevalent some weeks than others.
In the past 2 months however, I've had two more episodes similar to the one I initially described. Last night, I started to feel a slight tightening along the left side of my neck, followed by nausea, fatigue, and inability to catch my breath. Again, after about 20-30 minutes, and after taking a baby asprin, I drifted off to sleep.
For the most part, I'm healthy. I often find myself not being able to take a full breath of air, particularly after I've had a skipped beat. Can you please tell me what you think is wrong with me- if all the things I've mentioned are interlinked? Also, can you give me some information on the rareity of heart attack/heart trouble in teens?
A little under a year ago, I had my first episode of chest discomfort. I was lying down getting ready to go to sleep when I felt a tightening in my chest, followed by nausea, sweating, and light-headedness. I saw my doctor and he said it was probably a spasm in one of the chest muscles, or something breathing-related, and most likely didn't have anything to do with the heart..
About 3 months later, I started getting daily palpitations. Around 3-7 skipped beats a day that I could feel in my chest. I thought it wasn't anything, but just wanted to get it checked out to make sure. My doctor took an EKG and it was abnormal- he then sent me to a cardiologist. The cardiologist had me wear a 24-hour heart monitor, and after wearing it, they found that I had 12 irregular beats. They said that it wasn't enough for medication and that we'll just watch it closely. They also took a stress test and an echocardiography- both of which turned out normal.
Since then, I've continued to have the irregular beats, though not as often. They seem to come and go, being more prevalent some weeks than others.
In the past 2 months however, I've had two more episodes similar to the one I initially described. Last night, I started to feel a slight tightening along the left side of my neck, followed by nausea, fatigue, and inability to catch my breath. Again, after about 20-30 minutes, and after taking a baby asprin, I drifted off to sleep.
For the most part, I'm healthy. I often find myself not being able to take a full breath of air, particularly after I've had a skipped beat. Can you please tell me what you think is wrong with me- if all the things I've mentioned are interlinked? Also, can you give me some information on the rareity of heart attack/heart trouble in teens?
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-bkj, May 12, 2007 12:00AM
Transatlanticism,
Thanks for the post.
Can you please tell me what you think is wrong with me- if all the things I've mentioned are interlinked?
The irregular beats you have are common in people. Some people feel them more than others. The symptoms are called palpitations. With a normal cardiac work up which you've had, there is no significant risk involved with having them. This is different from a heart attack where damage occurs from a clogged blood vessel. I would imagine that your symptoms are interlinked and probably from some anxiety with your palpitations.
Also, can you give me some information on the rareity of heart attack/heart trouble in teens?
Unless there is some very significant history of that type of problem in your family, the likely hood would be almost zero.
good luck
Thanks for the post.
Can you please tell me what you think is wrong with me- if all the things I've mentioned are interlinked?
The irregular beats you have are common in people. Some people feel them more than others. The symptoms are called palpitations. With a normal cardiac work up which you've had, there is no significant risk involved with having them. This is different from a heart attack where damage occurs from a clogged blood vessel. I would imagine that your symptoms are interlinked and probably from some anxiety with your palpitations.
Also, can you give me some information on the rareity of heart attack/heart trouble in teens?
Unless there is some very significant history of that type of problem in your family, the likely hood would be almost zero.
good luck
