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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
HEART OR GI POST OP CAUSED
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
HEART OR GI POST OP CAUSED
by Robert J. Barnett, Oct 03, 1999 12:00AM
APPROXIAMATE CHRONOLOGY & HISTORY
I NEED TO KNOW WHAT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEMS & WHERE TO GO TO FIND HELP IN DIAGNOSING AND DETERMINING TREATMENT IF POSSIBLE. IT SEEMS LIKE NO ONE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED PREVIOUSLY (GI)IS ANXIOUS TO GO THE NEXT STEP WITH ME. ALL DONE AT LOCAL HOSPITAL(S) COULD POST OPERATIVE PROBLEMS (GI) BE CAUSING ISCHEMIA AND OTHER SYMPTOMS?:
Heart History
 Elevated Cholesterol – treated by medication since about 1987
Mevacor until seemingly ineffectivezocorpravacol until muscle achescolestid & lopid
 Atrial Fib. – Jan. 1997 Treated in ER / no reoccurrence
Gastrointestinal History
Esophageal Reflux –
 treated by medications (Prilosec) until 1996 (began about 1987)
 Laproscopic Nissan-Funduplication – May 1996 (
 Paraesophageal Hernia – Open surgery – May 1997
 Incisional Hernia – December 1997
CURRENT PROBLEMS
1. Several severe and sudden episodes of severe distress and pain in chest and upper abdominal area lasting about 8 – 10 minutes (mimics heart attack symptoms). The first episode (9/97) woke me up in night: it began with a deep burning chest pain (sternum area) that seemed to radiate slowly /painfully through out my chest with a deep burning sensation. I was unable to breath and was sweating a lot. It seemed to pass. Dr. believed it to have been possibly gall stone or scar tissue related. Utra sound said no.This has happened several times since, most recently in June and July this summer. After the episode in June, several avenues were pursued: 1st through an EKG and blood work a heart attack was ruled out. 2nd an ultrasound also ruled out gall bladder at that time.
2. Since the episode in June, I have had persistent on-going chest pain (pressure & tightness) at varied intensities; persistent on-going tightness in my upper abdomen just below sternum area; some intermittent heartburn; occasional reflux type symptoms (burning raspy throat, etc.) & upset stomach.
 CT Scan in August
 August 7th ’99 Evaluated in ER (Woodstock)
 August 9th I had a stress-echo cardiogram (Woodstock)
 August 9th angiogram (Sherman Hospital) The angiogram showed no blockages.
 August 30th – Barium Swallow (Upper GI) – possible paraesophegeal hernia
 Sept. 13th - Thallium Scan & Stress test – Inconclusive
 Sept.20th – EGD (Woodstock) –
NOTE: NITROGLYCERIN TABLETS DO NOT RELIEVE THE PAIN AT ALL…
Note: In May of this year I fell some 20 – 25 feet, landing on my back and without any apparent injury, but could this could have done some damage inside, a possible injury or undoing of some of the repairs done in the second and most extensive surgery. In the May 1997 surgery there had been diaphragmatic damage that was repaired as well as ‘an anchoring’ of the ‘wrap’ or stomach to the diaphragm. As I write this I experience a gripping sensation under my sternum area and upper abdomen with each inhalation (as well as chest pressure).
I NEED TO KNOW WHAT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEMS & WHERE TO GO TO FIND HELP IN DIAGNOSING AND DETERMINING TREATMENT IF POSSIBLE. IT SEEMS LIKE NO ONE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED PREVIOUSLY (GI)IS ANXIOUS TO GO THE NEXT STEP WITH ME. ALL DONE AT LOCAL HOSPITAL(S) COULD POST OPERATIVE PROBLEMS (GI) BE CAUSING ISCHEMIA AND OTHER SYMPTOMS?:
Heart History
 Elevated Cholesterol – treated by medication since about 1987
Mevacor until seemingly ineffectivezocorpravacol until muscle achescolestid & lopid
 Atrial Fib. – Jan. 1997 Treated in ER / no reoccurrence
Gastrointestinal History
Esophageal Reflux –
 treated by medications (Prilosec) until 1996 (began about 1987)
 Laproscopic Nissan-Funduplication – May 1996 (
 Paraesophageal Hernia – Open surgery – May 1997
 Incisional Hernia – December 1997
CURRENT PROBLEMS
1. Several severe and sudden episodes of severe distress and pain in chest and upper abdominal area lasting about 8 – 10 minutes (mimics heart attack symptoms). The first episode (9/97) woke me up in night: it began with a deep burning chest pain (sternum area) that seemed to radiate slowly /painfully through out my chest with a deep burning sensation. I was unable to breath and was sweating a lot. It seemed to pass. Dr. believed it to have been possibly gall stone or scar tissue related. Utra sound said no.This has happened several times since, most recently in June and July this summer. After the episode in June, several avenues were pursued: 1st through an EKG and blood work a heart attack was ruled out. 2nd an ultrasound also ruled out gall bladder at that time.
2. Since the episode in June, I have had persistent on-going chest pain (pressure & tightness) at varied intensities; persistent on-going tightness in my upper abdomen just below sternum area; some intermittent heartburn; occasional reflux type symptoms (burning raspy throat, etc.) & upset stomach.
 CT Scan in August
 August 7th ’99 Evaluated in ER (Woodstock)
 August 9th I had a stress-echo cardiogram (Woodstock)
 August 9th angiogram (Sherman Hospital) The angiogram showed no blockages.
 August 30th – Barium Swallow (Upper GI) – possible paraesophegeal hernia
 Sept. 13th - Thallium Scan & Stress test – Inconclusive
 Sept.20th – EGD (Woodstock) –
NOTE: NITROGLYCERIN TABLETS DO NOT RELIEVE THE PAIN AT ALL…
Note: In May of this year I fell some 20 – 25 feet, landing on my back and without any apparent injury, but could this could have done some damage inside, a possible injury or undoing of some of the repairs done in the second and most extensive surgery. In the May 1997 surgery there had been diaphragmatic damage that was repaired as well as ‘an anchoring’ of the ‘wrap’ or stomach to the diaphragm. As I write this I experience a gripping sensation under my sternum area and upper abdomen with each inhalation (as well as chest pressure).
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Oct 03, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Robert,
It is difficult for me to provide diagnoses in this forum. However, it may be useful to undergo a different stress test (rather than the thallium) to rule out coronary artery disease. Different studies would include a PET scan or a dobutamine Echo.
Much of these symptoms however are likely to be related to your lenghty and complex GI history.
It is difficult for me to provide diagnoses in this forum. However, it may be useful to undergo a different stress test (rather than the thallium) to rule out coronary artery disease. Different studies would include a PET scan or a dobutamine Echo.
Much of these symptoms however are likely to be related to your lenghty and complex GI history.
