I need help!!

[knicks30]

Hi i have no medical insurance for 4 1/2 months so i dont know what to do so i decided to post a question.

Since February, Ive had this chest tightness, pressure and shortness of breath. I dont know if its my heart or lungs but one day in Feb, i was running outside in 10 degree weather and i just couldnt breath. I went to the hospital did a chest x-ray and all was fine. When i went home and i layed down i started feeling the chest pressure. Only for a little while i would feel the tightness laying down but now it seems like its getting worse. I have this tightness even standing up, but not any pressure exercising. I have been like this for 5 months and i feel so angry and insecure.

Could i have injured some part of my lungs that has caused this tightness and SOB? or am i experienceing ischemia?

One day i closed the hood of my car, i closed it with my hands pretty hard and then the chest pressure hit me and it was very uncomfortble? Could it be Muscular? Nerve?

Upon having a echo 5 months ago my cardiologist said that there seems to be no blockages?? Ummm i thought a stress test and a heart cath was what revealed blockages?? Or did i hear wrong? ....and also the echo was normal at that time (valves, etc). Never had a stress test though. blood tests normal.

Im a 19 year old male, 6 foot 240 (lost 55 lbs)...cholesterol total 169, HR 72, BP 130/80 dont smoke, drink only on my birthdays. No family history of heart problems. I do have a history of ASTHMA and hypertension.

Sorry to ask but may you please tell me what this chest pressure could be or if you have any idea of what it could be. I have to start college in September and if im feeling like this i have no chance of concentrating and passing my classes sometimes i just punch myself in the chest just wanting to give up. Maybe you can give me a piece of mind because people close to me keep saying its all in you head but i dont know anymore. I would just love to hear from a doc's point of view on whats wrong with me.

Thank you.

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hello,

Let me start by reassuring you.  Ischemic chest pain worsens with exertion and improves with rest.  The pain you describe is nonexertional and very unlikely to be ischemic.  If it were ischemic pain that you had 4 1/2 months ago, the pain would have probably progressed by now and certainly would occur more with exertion than rest.  I do not think you have ischemic heart disease, although you probably should have a resting EKG at some point.  Regarding a stress test or a cath--the odds of you having ischemic heart disease at your age with an atypical history is exceedingly low.  There is a great risk of complications with the tests or a false positive result.  That is why your doctor did not perform them.

Shortness of breath while running in 10-degree weather is typically asthma.  Given your known diagnosis of asthma, this is the most likely explanation.

It is difficult to say what is causing your resting chest pain.  If it continues you should see a doctor about it and probably have a resting EKG.  

In the mean time, keep your blood pressure under control.

I hope this helps and good luck with college!

[David G]

Those of us who get ectopic beats will smile when we read your posting.  Does anxiety cause ectopia?!?! And you've been reading these posts for how long?  The weird thing about anxiety is that many people who are clinically anxious don't actually "feel" anxious.  Yes, ectopic beats can come on suddenly with no apparent cause.  But you might want to ask yourself: are you dealing with changes
(even good ones can be stressful) in your life? Job, relationships, family...Most things that seem to come out of nowhere actually don't.  And yes, we've felt extra beats in other places than just our chest. Good luck!

[Rochelle73]

Hi, I hope someone can help as I am really scared.  I have been trying to post on here for ages with no luck.  I am 31, female and live in London.  I have had no previous health problems although I am a little unfit.  In May this year I gave birth.  Two days after being discharged, I was readmitted as I felt very unwell - I had high blood pressure, pulse was fast and felt very shaky.  They kept me in for 3 days but could find nothing wrong - my notes say sinus tachycardia? and there is a comment 't wave inversion'.  I was told this was caused by stress of labour (I had not slept for three days).  However, since then, I have had palpitations where I am constantly aware of my heartbeat - I can always hear it in my head.  When I lie down to rest my pulse speeds up.  Shouldn't it slow down when resting?  Also, when I inhale my heart rate increases and decreases when exhaling.  Is this normal?  My resting pulse is usually around 82.  For the last three months, I have had chest pains on and off.  I might go a few days without any, they don't come all the time.  Sometimes they are sharp pains and I can pinpoint them in one area, other times there is just a general tightness.  There is no shortness of breath and I feel otherwise ok.  My doctor says it is all caused by anxiety and has prescribed Buspar.  I can't help worrying though.  I am terrified that there is something wrong.  I would really appreciate some advice as the doctors here are very dismissive and you can't just make an appointment with a cardiologist, your doctor has to refer you and mine won't because he says it's caused by anxiety.  He has taken my blood pressure (normal) and listened to my chest with a stethoscope but that's all.  I did have a VQ scan after the birth which was clear.  I don't smoke or drink.  Thanks very much in advance.

[nymomof5]

i was able to post a question about a month ago at 10am new york time.

in response to the last comment...i go to a website called Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome or MVPS.  on this website which has people from all over the world on it....i have read many posts from women who have gotten symptoms like yours after pregnancy or womens whose symptoms have gotten worse after having a baby.  most of the people on this website have mitral valve prolapse and thats what causes our symptoms.  don't worry too much and try and check out this website as it can be a real big help. also congrats on the new baby!

[Rochelle73]

Hi, thanks for that.  It does sound like my symptoms.  Do you have the address of the website that you go to?  Thanks.

[nymomof5]

just try mitral valve prolapse syndrome  which is the address for me on aol but for my internet explorer i had to use mvps.
there are people on this website who have panic symptoms ..myself included.  plus people who have all sorts of "crazy" heartbeats and you'll learn things to do to help those heartbeats and you'll learn help for the panic too.  i see you got to post a question..good for you!

[CINBK]

hi! can someone please help me...
im 21/f/somewhat out of shape.
this past week ive been having chest pain that goes into my right soulder/arm/back. I think im having a heart attack but everyone thinks im crazy cuz im only 21. my father is 45 and has already had 2 surgerys to put stems in his heart (clogged arterys) and at 21 my brother was diagnosed with a heart condition that when he gets stressed the muscles contract blocking blood flow to the heart. the doctor gave him some meds for when hes stressed and his chest hurts to take them. I've been under severe stress these past few weeks because my fiance is in the process of finding out if hes getting deployed to iraq (hes leaving monday)

[David G]

Hi Rochelle:

Sorry you've been having problems.  Here's the good news: your symptoms are POSITIVELY not due to a serious cardiac problem of any kind.  Your symptoms are definitely not due to Acute Coronary Syndrome, cardiac myopathy, valvular disease, or any other cardiac related pathology. I'm 100% positive.
Now the bad news:
Your symptoms are classical anxiety symptoms.  (Very common after childbirth).  Anxiety can be difficult to diagnose and treat since (at least here in the US) paitents tend to go from doctor to doctor thinking something is seriously wrong.  So, I would follow your doctors advice but please do the following:
Find a good yoga class and start taking it.
Make sure you are excercising 30 minutes at least per day.
Start taking a good multi-mineral vitamin per day.
Pray or meditate each day.
And laugh.
Yes, you're fine.