Re: Palpitations, breathing and chest pain

[Betsy-Howard]

Posted By Betsy Howard on May 24, 1999 at 12:06:14
I have had palpitations for over 2 years now. A cardiac cath showed a 30% blockate in the ant. desc.  I am on 100 mg of toprol twice a day.  About a month ago I started having recurring palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath and coughing with shortness of breath.  My cardiologist had a stress echo done and it came out clean.  Now I am being told that nothing can be done for this problem.  It is extremely uncomfortable and since I am a flute player, I find it hard to get air at times and I have chest pain after playing for about an hour.  Should I seek another opinion or just live with it like I'm told.  What about exercise?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on May 24, 1999 at 15:43:57
Dear Betsy,
I'm not sure what your doctor told you but I imagine what he meant was that the blockage in your heart is not causing the problems you are experiencing.  This does not mean that there is nothing that can be done.  What I would suggest is seeing an internist and having everything gone over with a fresh look.  
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.
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.

[Cynthia-A-Edmunds]

Posted By Cynthia A. Edmunds on May 24, 1999 at 16:48:01
I may not be talking to the right type of doctor but perhaps you could point me in the right direction.  I have had nausea, vomitting, dizziness, and severe adominal (abdominal) pain as well as migraine headaches.  I have also been having the "shakes" constantly, and now I am having difficulty breathing.  I saw a doctor and he said I have possible endometriosis but could do nothing for the headaches.  We had a bloodwork test run and it came up with a platelet count of 427, and a trigylceride count of 1025, a cholesterol count of 295, and my potassium level is at 3.6 out of range. They also informed me that they have never seen opaque blood like mine.  The doctor put me on lipitor, and wellbutrin and gave me a deprovera shot.  I called the doctor back and informed him that the "shakes" were now a constant thing and that the breathing was now more difficult.  He said it was stress.  His nurse told me to take a valium.  Do you have any advise for me?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on May 25, 1999 at 08:11:02
Dear Cynthia,
I can't really comment on the shakes and breathing problems and I would recommend getting them checked out with your family practice doctor or internist.  As far as the triglycerides go these are very high and could cause problems such as pancreatitis.  Was this a fasting test?  Lipitor may not be enough to control the triglycerides and you may need to see a specialist in blood lipids.
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.
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.











Follow Ups:


Palpitations, breathing and chest pain cindy 5/26/1999
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Re: Palpitations, breathing and chest pain CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 5/26/1999
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