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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Have I had a "silent" heart attack?
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.
Have I had a "silent" heart attack?
by Gayle__0, Apr 14, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by Gayle on April 14, 1999 at 10:38:15
I am a forty year old female. Four years ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia which finally gave me an understanding of my almost constant fatigue and muscle aches, although I do not exhibit other symptoms of FMS. Recently, I had a physical in which my doctor ordered an ECG because my parents both have heart conditions. (Dad has atrial fibrillation, mother has spiking and falling blood pressure). I had 3 ECG's done, all abnormal.
I am now starting to wonder if I may have had a "silent heart attack". For example, a few times I've awoken before dawn. I felt I needed to have a bowel movement. Then I get extremely dizzy, hot, and weak. This passes after several minutes. I often feel my heart pounding, even while I am at rest. My legs feel weak. Again, this usually occurs during the night. Some days I cannot get through the day without a rest. Also, I often experience an urge to yawn or sigh, and I have to sit or stand up and take a deep cleansing breath to get the feeling of relief which comes after a yawn. Also, occassionaly I awake with a burning pain behind my left breast. I do not drink caffeine or smoke. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on April 15, 1999 at 09:48:30
Dear Gayle, thank you for your question. I can't determine whether you've had a silent heart attack without evaluating you in person and viewing your ECG. However, your symptoms could all be consistent with fibromyalgia and your ECG could be falsely indicative of a silent heart attack. If this is truly a concern, you could have an echocardiogram or a stress test to determine whether you have indeed had a silent heart attack. You should speak with your physician regarding these issues.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. Good luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
