Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Do I have a problem with my heart or is it anxiety?

I'm a 35 year old male with no prior health conditions. About 2 months ago, I came down with acute viral myocarditis. During my stay in the hospital, I had an echocardiogram and lexiscan preformed. The echo showed mild mitral valve regurgitation, trace tricuspid regurgitation, left ventricular hypertrophy, and possible right atrial dilation with an EF of 60%. The lexiscan showed no blocked arteries, with a EF of 55 at rest and 54% during activity, results were unremarkable.
Ever since I left the hospital, I've had frequent PVC's throughout the day (never previously had them) and unspecified chest pain in different locations, SOB, a weird jittery feeling in my heart and a sensation of drowning. My SPO2 levels always drop when lying on my back from a normal of 96% to 91-92%.
Since all this has happened, I have gone back to the ER once a week because I feel like things aren't right. My EKG's are always abnormal, they say things like abnormal qrst angle, twave abnormality, the twave inversion, left ventricular hypertrophy, and the doctors after looking at them say they're fine. The chest xray is always okay, and my cardiac enzymes are down. They say follow up with my cardiologist.
I have followed up with cardiology, he preformed another echo, said my heart looked beautiful and EF is 60%. He did a two day event Holter and said my heart rate at one point went to 150 and then started talking about panic attack and completely dismissed my heart and said these things are being brought on by anxiety.
I'm no expert, but I cannot see how anxiety will cause abnormal EKG's and my SPO2 to rise fall so dramatically. Any imput will be greatly appreciated. I am seeking a second opinion, but the doctor is going to preform the same tests. Is there any other tests they could preform to completely tull out heart problems?
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi there. I wonder how you managed to get your BP under control? If its high at the doctors office, whether suspected White coat or not, you should definitely have a 24 hour blood pressure monitor as this will tell the correct levels of BP over a full day. Its the gold standard BP test. It costs little and is a bit inconvenient, but you should have it. If the LVH is not much, thats great news. Any valve issues appear minor, so you need to chill a bit too. Heed your doctors advice
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
Well for the past few years it was elevated. Then I had a baby a year ago, and decided I need to be get my butt in gear to make sure in here to raise him and see him grow old, so I underwent a lifestyle change. Started eating right, exercising, and stopped drinking. I didn't drink heavily, just on the weekends hanging out with friends. I monitor it at home daily and at averages 118/80, so not bad. It's just unfortunate, I changed so many bad habits of being sedatary, eating fast food twice a day, to have a longer life, to be with my baby longer in life to getting myocarditis and having all this happen. I know it could always be worse, but it just *****. I am not my old self, which surprisingly was very healthy.
*s_uc_KS don't know why that was blocked, lol.
Avatar universal
Well the echo results are good. EF is good and valves are fairly ok too. Is the LVH caused by the Myocardits
or is it a result of high BP?
You didnt mention BP numbers?
Your probably a bit paniced after this experience and
this is causing anxiety.
Its a bit like having a pain and the minute you get it your thinking'have I cancer?' anxiety ......
Trust your docs opinion and heed his advice
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
My cardiologist says the LVH is so minimal is hardly there. The BP at home used to be high, then I got it under control prior to all this happening, but whenever I go to the hospital or doctors it's always high (white coat syndrome). Since there is nothing to go off of prior to the myocarditis, it's hard to say if it caused the valve problem or not.
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community

Top Heart Disease Answerers
159619 tn?1707018272
Salt Lake City, UT
11548417 tn?1506080564
Netherlands
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.