Heart Attack Risk.

[Rag123]

I had been to two cardiologists and diagnosed with benign PVC's and PAC's. Echo, Thallium Stress and EKG's were all normal. My recent halter showed 7 PVC's and 40 PAC's. I was also told that this is normal and typical and wouldn't warrant any treatment. I was told to ignore them. I've had what I think was brief bigeminy during sex a couple of times. I'm starting to come to terms with it, but I'm concerned about possibilities of some sort of heart attack. I've been told that the ectopic beats won't cause a heart attack and that a heart attack is usually caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart which I do not have. I'm kind of a worrier. I don't have high blood pressure or diabetes and I'm 36 - 5'8"/140lbs. So, my question is, can stress alone cause a heart attack? I was told it is typically a secondary risk factor to the major risk factors - overweight etc.
I've had anxiety and panic attacks and my psychologist wants me to face my fears. I don't have a problem with that, except I'm concerned about the heart attack thing or my heart going into a major arythmia - which I was told that it would not. I might have ectopics until I calmed down, but that would likely be it...

Please give me a comforting explaination of why my fears are unlikely...

I'm considering anxiety med.'s, but concerned of the effects they might have on my heart.

I think Ann Nickole's son died young and was on Lexapro and something else?

Thank you.

[enufworry61]

I'm new to computers and posting--- I clicked twice.  Will not do that again.

[enufworry61]

Hi, I can't seem to get into the forum to at the right time to get an answer directly from the Dr. but you all seem so smart, I thought I would try to get some feedback from anyone who might be able answer.

I am 61, female , bp low normal and in pretty good health generally.  There is heart disease in my family on my Dad's side---so I am always scared when I feel anything to do with heart stuff. I was diagnosed with MVP in my 20's and fortunately found some literature on it in the last few years.  I have spent countless hours and dollars in the ER and like others--- worrying.

In the last few weeks I have been experiencing a group of symptoms that are really concerning me.
*hard time getting a deep breath. I have to yawn sometimes.
* dull pain in my diaphragm area
*worse when I eat very much
*burning ,dull, pressure feeling in my chest
*some times same feeling in my left arm up into my ear
*sometimes burning/sharp pain in my shoulder and across my shoulder blades
*pain under my collar bone that is tender to touch

3/2/07 had regular stress test came up with ischemia. GP sent me to ER.  Overnite did blood and EKG and sent me home.  Trying to get Nuclear---but maybe can't.  Also did 64CT scan in '05.  My Cardio said all normal.  ER Dr. said scan not so accurate.  I'm not on any meds. because I get scared of the weird side effects.  Took nitro once in the ER and thought I would pass out so I'm scared of taking that. I know I am an anxious person so maybe this is
just that---but the fear of  a heart attack is beginning to be overwhelming.  I am thinking of going to ER again today---but just can't stand the thought of it!!!  

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[enufworry61]

Hi, I can't seem to get into the forum to at the right time to get an answer directly from the Dr. but you all seem so smart, I thought I would try to get some feedback from anyone who might be able answer.

I am 61, female , bp low normal and in pretty good health generally.  There is heart disease in my family on my Dad's side---so I am always scared when I feel anything to do with heart stuff. I was diagnosed with MVP in my 20's and fortunately found some literature on it in the last few years.  I have spent countless hours and dollars in the ER and like others--- worrying.

In the last few weeks I have been experiencing a group of symptoms that are really concerning me.
*hard time getting a deep breath. I have to yawn sometimes.
* dull pain in my diaphragm area
*worse when I eat very much
*burning ,dull, pressure feeling in my chest
*some times same feeling in my left arm up into my ear
*sometimes burning/sharp pain in my shoulder and across my shoulder blades
*pain under my collar bone that is tender to touch

3/2/07 had regular stress test came up with ischemia. GP sent me to ER.  Overnite did blood and EKG and sent me home.  Trying to get Nuclear---but maybe can't.  Also did 64CT scan in '05.  My Cardio said all normal.  ER Dr. said scan not so accurate.  I'm not on any meds. because I get scared of the weird side effects.  Took nitro once in the ER and thought I would pass out so I'm scared of taking that. I know I am an anxious person so maybe this is
just that---but the fear of  a heart attack is beginning to be overwhelming.  I am thinking of going to ER again today---but just can't stand the thought of it!!!  

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Barbarella]

The "big murder mystery" came up because just recently lawyers and coroners on national TV had their doubts why the son and shortly after the mother died so close together.  Doubts as in "did somebody give him/her an overdose of one of the drugs in his/her body" .

If its so certain what Smith's son died of then why do we get these speculations shuffed down our throats by these "professionals" every time we turn the TV on??

If the ME came up with the final conclusion of "why" Smith's son died then the lawyers and coroners should keep their mouths shut on national TV and not turn it into a "big murder mystery".

[CollegeGirl143]

That was very nice of you to look that up for rag barbarella :) See, accidental :) Good luck Rag.

[CollegeGirl143]

If the ME came up with the final conclusion of "why" Smith's son died then the lawyers and coroners should keep their mouths shut on national TV and not turn it into a "big murder mystery".

I agree wholeheartedly with this statement :) The ME's report can be found in several publications, and as far as i know (although i do admit i find i havent followed the case as diligantly as some seem to have) it still is and always has been ruled accidental, and have yet to hear of an official speculating as to other wise, just gossip sites, but thats an interesting theory for tmz to investigate i suppose.. Its interesting how these celebrity stories seem to creep their way into the most unlikely of places.

I think the point here is you should not let the fear of that stop you from getting help rag, you should definatly address all fears with your physician who knows your case and can advise you appropriatly! i hope you start feeling better very soon, i know how scarey pvc's can be.. Have you ever gone over to the support board?

[Barbarella]

Rag123,

I GOOGLED THE CAUSE OF DEATH OF DANIEL SMITH.  READ BELOW WHAT DR. CYRIL WECHT SAID, HE IS A VERY WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED PATHOLOGIST.  DON'T WORR, WHAT D.SMITH DIED OF DOES NOT APPLY IN YOUR CASE.  

The death of Anna Nicole Smith's 20-year-old son Daniel was caused by a lethal combination of methadone, Zoloft and Lexapro, pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht has revealed to PEOPLE. Wecht said the drugs caused the cardiac dysrhythmia that led to Daniel's death. Wecht got the toxicology results from National Medical Services in Willow Grove, Pa., on Wednesday.

"In my opinion it's an accidental death," Wecht tells PEOPLE. Wecht said that because Daniel was taking three drugs and not a large dose of a single drug, paired with the fact that he was celebrating a happy occasion with his mother, those factors point to a "tragic accidental drug death."

Wecht said Zoloft, Lexapro and methadone had a lethal "cumulative effect on the central nervous system" that ultimately stopped Smith's heart _ a "classical" death resulting from a combination of drugs without an overdose of any one.

[Barbarella]

Don't know about gossib sites, don't read them but on cable TV on the 3 major cable channels lawyers and coroners have expressed their doubts of how Smith and her son died.

Nobody has to "follow" the story, the story is following us.  Of course we can always turn the TV off or change channels as we do lately, but even the local news got in on it.

Since A. Smith is buried now the talk and doubts about her and her son's death is a little less.

[CollegeGirl143]

also thought i might add.. If you'de to talk to some people are currently taking lexapro, the anxiety board might be a good place to start :) im sure you can get a lot of feedback and support from people who had the same fears as you :) As always talk to your doctor as well.

[CollegeGirl143]

not sure why anna nicoles son has come up in this but the ME explained it was a mixture of an antidepressant methadone and a genetic heart defect, not exactly a big murder mystery, or reason for you to be scared to take an antidepressant with your doctors support!

[Dukk1975]

Anna Nicole's son was also taking methadone which is a very dangerous drug... especially when mixed, like he had.... and you're not taking that.... so I think anti-anxiety meds would be ok.

[Barbarella]

I let the Cardiologist answer your questions, but as for Anna Nicole's son dying of Lexapro the jury is still very much out on exactly "what" he died of or was "killed with".  As unfortunate and sad as it is that his life had to come to an end at such a young age there is a lot more to it as in drugs/prescription drugs overdose, and maybe homicide. The Coroners are still pretty much clammed up about exactly how he and Anna Nicile died so I would not let "how" he died worry me, as it can happen to you too, if I were you.

[Forum-M.D.-bkj]

Rag,

Thanks for the post.

Stress itself generally will not cause a heart attack. More or less it is  how one adapts to stress in their life which increases the risk over time. For example, some smoke in , some eat and some do not take thier medications in response to stress in thier lives.  

You should deal with your anxiety and worries as you have had a thorough evaluation ofr your symptoms yet you still have a great deal of anxiety with the results. May be a second opinon would help ease your worries.


good luck