If not the heart

  Dr's.
     About 6 months ago I sent a message asking "What can it be" since then I have been to my Dr. numerous
  times. Here is a little history. Back in January of this year I awoke with every classic sign of a heart attack.
  Sharp/heavy chest pain, nausia, feeling of vomiting,sweating,terrible heart burn and shortness of breath. That entire
  day, my insides were sore as if I had been injured and I could only take short breathes. Before I was able to make an
  appointment with my Dr. I had numerous episodes of sharp chest pains that would last anywhere from one or two real quick
  ones to pains that would go come and go all night. During one episode I was laying on the couch trying to get a nap and
  I got a very sharp pain in the center of the chest that only lasted a second, then my heart started racing so fast I couldn't
  go to sleep. I went to my Dr. and was diognosed with high blood pressure, which prior to being prescribed Atenolol would
  average anywhere from 148/114 and 152/112. I went to a Cardiologist the first time for a stress test and did the
  treadmill test only and was monitored with an EKG. The Dr. stated everything was normal. I kept having the chest
  pains, so the Dr. had me do another stress test, only this time the dye was injected into me and x-ray's taken.
  The results came back later that afternoon and the Dr. said everything was normal, there was no blockage I
  assume. I've had a blood test and my cholesterol was 149, my blood sugar was okay and I'm not sure what else
  they have tested for. My question is, I still have the chest pains, they are in the center of my chest and
  are sharp pains. What can it be? It doesn't matter if I'm at rest or active, most of the pain occures
  at rest. If it's not the heart or clogged arteries, could it be an Ulcer? I was told about 15 years ago
  while in the Air Force that I had an ulcer. I would like nothing more than to go to the Cleveland Clinic
  but because of my heath insuranse (HMO) my choices are limited. I am a 35 y.o white male, about 20 pounds
  over weight, and relitives on my mom's side of the family have had heart problems.
  P.S There have been times when I would have the pains so bad that it would make me stopp whatever
  I was doing, I almost went to the hospital a few times. Again, thank you for your help.
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Dear Tim
If a stress test with an imaging modality was negative, it is unlikely that you have coronary artery blockages. The only way to know with certainty would be to do a cardiac catheterization. Without actually examining you, I am not in a position to say whether this test is warranted (there is some risk to the test).
Many different causes for chest pain exist. An ulcer is one reasonable possibility. Another is GERD - acid reflux in the esophagus. A gastroenterologist would be able to sort out these possibilities with an endoscopy.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back. I wish you the best of luck.
If you would like to set up an appointment with one of our cardiologists here at the Cleveland Clinic please feel free to call 1-800-CCF-CARE.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your physician(s).