Disturbing Symptoms

I have  been having some disturbing symptoms when i over exert. It doesn't happen all the time.  For example  while pulling to heavy garbage cans to the road, i starting having a heavy uncomfortable feeling in my chest, and it went down my left arem, and my fingers felt really wierd. After i rested, it got better. Does this mean i could have a heart problem?

[kenkeith]

Yes, your condition can be related to some occlusion of coronary vessels.  Stable angina (chest pain, discomfort, etc.) with exertion but no symptoms at rest.  You should see a cardiologist and take a stress test.  The test views blood flow with exercise and blood flow at rest, and if the test is positive the condition should be treaed to prevent heart cell damage.  When heart cells lack sufficient blood/oxygen the cells can be damaged.

[mawmawnancy]

Hi,
Thanks for your comments.I have an appoiuntment with a cardiologist Monday to be checked out. Not sure exactly what he plans to do, but image a stress test is one of them.

[PuffMama]

I have been having similar symptoms for 2 months now.  my GP insists that it is chostochondritis (inflammation in the cartilage in the chest).  but i'm not convinced.  i went to the ER and the ER doctor said he doesn't think it's my heart....but he also does not think its chostochondritis.  I did a follow-up with a cardiologist who did a stress echo and all looked good.  he actually said i crushed the stress test.  whatever the case, i really want to figure out what is causing my chest heaviness.  i hope your heart is fine as well!  good luck.

[Sugie1938]

I will be interested to know how your tests turn out. I have had the heaviness in center of chest, and seem short of breath after exertion. They did a CT scan with dye which was normal. I feel really tired lately. They also did a bone scan to see if there were any problems there, as that area and ribs are sore, but that was ok, except some arthritis. The doctor will order a stress test if I want, and I think its a good idea to rule out any problems.  Any sugestions will be welcome.

[mawmawnancy]

I hope to find out Monday what is going on. I  will post whatever i find out. Hope it's somthing simple, and not my heart.

[MamaBush]

Good Luck to all of you.

I'm a prime example when it come to CT scans, and radioactive dye stress tests not always revealing exactly what's going on with the heart.  With my third heart attack, I had just had the radioactive dye stress test a week before, it showed that I had no further blockage, even though I had the same symptoms as I had with my first and second heart attacks.

Ended up in the ER, then immediately to surgery for cardiac cetheterization and placement of two stents...one artery was blocked 95% and the other was blocked at 90%...which didn't show up on the stress test.

[mawmawnancy]

Hi ,
Wow! Sounds like you had some really serious problems. You would think them test would have showed your problems before you have another heart attack. Hope you are doing better. I pray mine is nothing serious.

[MamaBush]

Thanks so much.
My previous cardiologist told me that some people just don't show heart damage or blockage with the wonderful tests they put us through...I guess I'm just one of them unique people he was talking about.  LOL
Haven't had a heart attack or any surgeries since 2000, but I'm sure with my history, it's in the making.

So, today is Monday, did you find anything out about your issues?

[mawmawnancy]

Well, had my cardiologist visit today. He listened to my heart, and immeadiately said he wanted me to have an ultrasound on my heart. Had that done, and he told me that the Valve  had slight blockage, but he was very concerned that i might have blockage around my heart. He scheduled me a nuclear stress test and put me on Toprol and told me to take a baby aspirin once a day. I have the test on the 23  of this month. When he gets the results, he will call and get me to come back in for the results. Keep me in your prayers.

[MamaBush]

I hope your cardiologist finds out what is going on and fixes it for ya.

Have you ever had a nuclear dye stress test in the past?  Heck, have you ever had any form of a stress test in the past?  Just asking, because stress tests can be brutal, depending on your age, over-all physical condition, and weight.  I've been maxed out on two forms of the nuclear dye, can't remember the last type they used on me, but I was able to taste it for some reason.

Anyhoo, I'm wishing you the best, and sending positive vibes your way.

[mawmawnancy]

Hi,
This nuclear dye stress test is a first for me. Have never had the need for one untill now. I know one thing, I don't like the fact i have to go without my coffee for quite some time! LOL
I am assuming he must have seen something on the ultrasound that he had done on my heart. I have a first cousin that a few years back had a heart attack where she works, and they had to use the paddles to bring her back. She survived, but has never stopped smoking. I myself have never smoked.
I will have to brace myself for this, and hope it don't last as lond as they say it does! LOL

[DPease]

The problem most of you are having is randon testing to find the problem and then attempting to treatment plan thereafter.  Each test is good at finding a specific problem but not every problem.  Thus the random testing you are having done.  Do research on which tests are best at finding what your symptoms are.  There are a million things Dr's are hit with daily weekly monthly so sometimes they get overwhelmed by reps and tests, drugs, devices etc..  My advice is always find out whats bet and DEMAND it be done!  Always get second opinions..We are talking about the #1 Killer in America. Heart Disease.. Most GP's are not even aware of some of the tests they can prescribe to you and just refer you to a Cardiologist after they had you in for a visit and did not find anything.  That equals time.. Time is what you do not have.. Don't wait for someone else to tell you.. Research it ASAP.  One common practice is to run a 12 lead EKG which is proven to only catch less than 5% of Atrial Fibrilations.  "If" they catch it you are referred to a Cardiologist where you have "more tests".  Get the right test done first and get the accurate Diagnosis so you can Being Treatment Planning ASAP!.  Why pay for something that only gives you a 5% diagnosis rate?  Look it up.  Just trying to educate and help...

[mawmawnancy]

Appreciate your imput. I had had an EKG, and it  was completely normal. My doctor referred me to a cardiologist when i told him of all the symptoms i was having.

[MamaBush]

DPease, just a clarification for you...My tests have always been ordered and monitored by a cardiologist, never by a GP, and this has been since my first heart attack at 28 years of age.  As far as EKGs, mine have always shown normal, even while having a heart attack, thus the need for blood gasses tests to be run.

Mawmawnancy, good luck with the going without coffee issue. I completely cut out all caffeine (except for chocolate and my one aspirin a day, of course) about 9 years ago.  Man, the headaches when first eliminating caffeine were horrible, but after about a week, the headaches were gone. As far as how long the "actual" stress test lasts depends on your age.  As we age, our "normal" heart rate goes down, thus they don't keep you on the treadmill as long.  It's been nice, as I've aged, to be able to get off the treadmill much sooner than when I first started having stress tests.  That's ONE good thing about aging..LOL.

[dmaddox459]

Hey not trying to dash your optimism, but I was having chest pains in similar fashion in January 2008. I was told very similar information after a normal EKG and Stress test.

On April 8th, 2008 I had an emergency triple bypass after an evolving MI that was caught when I went to the ER after developing pain in my left arm and chest that didn't go away like the many times before.

I had a 99% blockage in my LAD and two 80% blockages elsewhere. They only found the blockages after doing an Angiogram.

Just some FYI for you.

Dan

[mawmawnancy]

Had my stress test done yesterday. This morning at 7:00 AM, my cardiologist called me and said that my results looked very suspicious in regards to blockage. He wants me to have an Angiogram done.Still trying to be optimistic. Yesterday, by the time they had gone through all that other stuf(putting in the dye and  taking some pics)  and put me on the treadmill, my head was huring sooo bad from not having any coffee i could only do about 5 or 6 minutes on the treadmill. Although within that 5 minutes, they had me walking fast and uphill, so i  guess they got what they needed. I am still surprised at my cardiologist calling me  at home with my results. Saved me a $25 copay. LOL

[mawmawnancy]

Thanks for sharing your info. I  am praying that they don't find anything when they do this Angiogram.  

[MamaBush]

I haven't been on in a long while.  How did the angiogram go?  Hope all is well.

As far as how long they keep you on the treadmill, that always depends on your age.  For some reason, as we age, our heart rates are not expected to go as high as when we're younger..so, within the 5 to 6 minutes (which I'm sure felt like 30 to 45 min..LOL) your heart rate apparently went high enough for the dye.

[mawmawnancy]

Hi MamaBush,

I don't have  the angiogram untill July 8th, this wednesday. I have to be there by 5:00AM that morning, and  they will begin at 6. I have been doing pretty good. Got kinda nervous about it after reading the paper they sent me that they sent me that told all about the side effects. So, i quit reading. LOL

[MamaBush]

LOL.  You sound like me when it comes to reading all the side effects regarding procedures and such.

I'll be waiting to hear how your angiogram ended up.  GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

[mawmawnancy]

No Blockage!!! That is what my cardiologist told me!  I have  mitrail valve prolapse and that could be the source of my pain. So, he is keeping me on toprl XL.
I am so glad that this is over. I am sitting at my computer desk, with my legged propped up, as i cannot bend it. This has been some tremendous news, and i give all the praise and glorty to God!!

[MamaBush]

The best part of all of this is the diagnosis, aint it?
Nothing worse than not knowing what is wrong with you; not being able to put a name on what is going on.  At least with a diagnosis, you can research what you have, find out if there's anything that can be done, and if/what kinds of issues you may have to deal with in the future.

I've enjoyed following your story, mawmawnancy....LOL, how much more southern can you get with Mawmaw?  I love the way grandkids call their grandmas Mawmaw in the south.