EXERCISE

[Brenda Fowler]

MY HUSBAND HAD HEART BY-PASS IN JANUARY.  I'VE WRITTEN BEFORE ASKING QUESTIONS REGARDING CHEST PAINS.  HE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DOCTOR RE: THE CHEST PAINS, AND HAS HAD ANOTHER STRESS TEST, WHICH HE PASSED.

HIS DOCTOR SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH HIM, BUT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO DO TESTS IF HE WANTS.

IN MY OPINION, THE CHEST PAINS MAY BE STRESS RELATED.  AFTER HE WENT BACK TO WORK THEY SEEMED TO BE WORSE, AND HE DOES HAVE A STRESSFUL JOB.

HE DOES NOT WALK REGULARLY, BUT HE IS ALWAYS DOING PHYSICAL TYPE WORK.  HE DOES WOODWORKING, AND WE OWN A FARM THAT HAS LOTS OF MAINTENANCE TO BE DONE.  RECENTLY HE HAS PUT UP GUTTERS AND ROOFED BUILDINGS TO NAME A FEW.

MY QUESTION IS:  IF THE PAIN IS CAUSED BY STRESS.  WOULD IT HELP TO DO EXERCISE (LIKE WALKING), IS THE WORK HE IS ALWAYS DOING ENOUGH EXERCISE?  HOW CAN HE BUILD UP HIS HEART MUSCLE AND MAKE IT STRONGER?

COULD HIS PAINS BE RELATED TO THE NERVE DAMAGE CAUSED WHEN HE HAD HIS SURGERY, AND SHOULD HE HAVE SOME DISCOMFORT THAT WILL TAKE TIME TO HEAL?

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

An internist is able to run all the test a cardiologist can with the exception of a cardiac catheterization.  I just was thinking that if you didn't have a cardiologist, an internist could start the process of stress tests if required and consult a cardiologist if necessary.

[Brenda]

You didn't answer as to why an internist, or what types of tests he could/would run?

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

An internist or cardiologist would be fine.  If he already has a cardiologist, he should see them.

[Brenda]

You said he should see an internist.  What types of tests would/could  he run? and why an internist?  The heart specialists have never referred him to one.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

It would be difficult to say what these chest pains are.  These questions should be addressed to your internist.  

If his chest pain continues It should be evaluated immediately.