Re: Chest Pain

Posted By Dean on May 03, 1999 at 09:57:40
I'm 71 years old and am in generally good health. My weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels are all in a good range. For the past five years I've had chest pain and shortness of breath which prevents me from doing things I enjoy such as golf and mowing my yard.
It was found I had atrial fibrillation, and I was given a pacemaker in October, 1996. Since then I have taken Lanoxin and Rythmol daily. I have not had the arrythmia, but I still have pain and shortness of breath on exertion.

My cardiologist has tried many tests to try to determine my problem. Last year I did poorly on the walking stress test. He gave me a second heart cath, and said again that my problem is not my heart. I've had exams of my esophagus, my respiratory system, and medication to control rib cage inflammation. None showed anything. Are there other possible causes I could pursue?

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on May 03, 1999 at 15:49:45
Dear Dean
Chest pain and shortness of breath on exertion sound like heart disease. However, if you had two normal catheterizations, it is unlikely to be your coronary arteries. Possibly, you have valvular heart disease. Aortic and mitral valve problems in particular can cause these symptoms. An echocardiogram may help determine if this is the case, and I would do one.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. 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.











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Chest Pain Dean 5/10/1999
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Re: Chest Pain CCF CARDIO MD - DLB 5/31/1999
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