Palpitations and other symptoms

[bri_guy]

I am a 28yr old male. No history of HD in family. Have been very active off and on throghout my life. Was a heavy drinker and fairly inactive thought from 1998-2003. At the begining of this year went to the ER with bouts of sharp chest pains that lasted from 5secs to a min. EKG came back "Borderline Abnormal, Probable Infirior Infarction, Status Unconfirmed". All enzymes were normal, except for high liver functions due to drinking. Doctors felt that my esophagus was to blame due to the long term drinking and acid reflux I had been having for years, and that my EKG could just be my unique readout. That I should have a stress echo to be safe. The stress Echo revealed nothing. My cardioligist said I have a "perfect heart". I quit drinking and began a very structured cycling program that has me riding 6-8hrs per week (80-100miles). Palpitations that I have had throughout my life (the jumping and flopping around kind) became worse. I also began to have quick sharp pains throughout my entire upper body (chest, shoulders, sides. back, neck...) that lasted only seconds. I saw my cardioligist agiain, and he set me up with an event monitor. The monitor revealed that the pains were not heart related and the palpitations were PAC's and benign in nature. Recently, I have experienced on two ocassions a palpitation with a very slight, quick sharp pain that begins in the center of my chest and radiates outword through my pectorals while exercising. My doctor says that it is not dangerous. Is it? Taking 1mg Xanax and 40mg nexium per day. Still off the alcohol and have lost 43lbs since Jan.

[nervousone50]

A related discussion, Is there some answer out there was started.

[tessa0825]

Hank.....I sent you an email yesterday morning and this morning I got it back ..I will resend to your other addresses a little later today. Tessa

[tessa0825]

I would persue an esophageal evaluation for damage from your reflux..How was it diagnosed in the first place? Esophageal spasms can cause chest pains and palps that will make you believe you are having a heart attacke. The heart needs an evaluation first to make sure it isn't coronary in nature...I had chest pains with painful swallowing that made me break out in a sweat, double over in pain, took away my breathe and several times cause me to go to ER thinking it was my heart. I also woke up nightly having palps.. I had 24 HR PH Study, manometry, EGDs with dilation, barium swallow, and a complete coronary workup including a dobutamine echo..The pains were from esophageal spasms. I eventually had esophageal surgery (gastroplasty with fundoplication) and also take toprol XL along with many other meds....Untreated or under treated reflux can cause many complications such as ulcers, varices, strictures, (narrowing of the esophagus making it hard for food to pass, causing painful swallowing)and even a percancerous condition known as Barrett's esophagus. If you have been declared heart healthy I would make sure to have an EGD...The Dr. would see any damage and be able to biopsy if he feels a need to do that..Just my thoughts..Best of luck, Tessa

[michi]

well i have a question for the same problem.

since i was 13 yrs. i had all the sudden sharp pain when i was breathing. it could last for a while and i had to breath shallow to be comfortable. by about 15/16yrs. i had pressure and sharp pain out of the blue. i got all the ekgs which came out normal. sometimes i had a abnormal resting ekg. dont ask me what was wrong. now since about 1.5yrs and me being 31 yrs. young i have all that touble again. i had ekgs,stress tests, echos, halter ekgs, cath both sides and event monitor. everything came out totally normal. i can have left side chest pain on a scale by 3/4
sometimes the pain/pressure goes away when i exercise. when i have the pain it lasts sometimes longer than 2 min. often it travels to a different place. the cardio does not think its cardio related and gave me some muscle relaxer (did not take it yet)i had also an esaphagus endoscopie which came out normal and the upper GI was fine too. wright now I am pretty scared because its going on for over 3 weeks. anybody any suggestions??

thanks michi

[Cleveland Clinic]

bri,

Youve made big strides in your alchol cessation and lifestyle modifications. Keep it up.

With your workup, I would have no concerns to encourage you to continue even more aggressively in your conditioning and weight loss.  If the workup you mention is negative, the pain is most likely related to something non-cardiac and I would work with your internist instead of your cardiologist to figure it out.

good luck