Swollen ankles, among things...

Posted by Julia on July 30, 1999 at 11:59:39
When I was in high school my heart started a strange fluttering - it only lasts a few seconds each time and I feel like I have to catch my breath when it happens (still occurs today and I'm now almost 32.) When I was 23 I had what I was convinced was a heart attack.  I was sitting on the couch smoking a cigarette (I know, I know - I don't do that anymore)when my heart started beating rapidly, my chest tightened, my left arm got very weak feeling and I started to pass out.  I managed not to faint, but spent the remainder of the day and night feeling weak, nauseated with labored breathing and convinced I was going to die.  I had no health insurance at the time.  I saw a doctor the next day who listened to my heart and lungs, took my blood pressure, told me I was too young to have anything wrong with my heart and rudely suggested I was taking drugs.  He told me as far as he could tell I was fine but if I wanted to know more I could have an EKG done but probably couldn't afford it since I had no insurance.  (He was not a very nice man.)  Was it possible for him to know that I was fine just by that type of exam?  
I felt lousy for about two years, then fine for about 5, and now for the last year I feel lousy again.  What I mean by lousy is, I often experience shortness of breath, and a "heaviness" I guess you could call it in my chest.  When I feel poorly, its as though I can feel my heart sitting in my chest, and often I feel as though I need to belch or something to relieve pressure.  Isn't that odd?  I get palpitations when I eat, and often feel very bad afterward no matter how large or small the meal.  Sometimes I feel as though there is an organ of some kind "catching on my rib" on the left side.  This happens especially when I am at a lower weight.  I also have frequent headaches, see "dots before my eyes" and lately I've been getting light-headed and dizzy, though I have never fainted.  A NEW problem popped up last week - my ankles and feet are now quite swollen and have remained so for over a week - especially the left one.  I have made an appointment with my PCP but he can't see me until August 10.  Do you think I should wait that long?  
I have had a weight problem my entire life, fluctuating between 150 and 300 pounds as long as I can remember.  I am now at the high end again (blast it!) In Nov 1995 I was at about 180 (I gain weight so rapidly!) and was diagnosed with a sinus arrythmia which I was told not to worry about.  My blood pressure has always been good, my cholesterol was miraculously only 151... I haven't been examined since because I am too ashamed of my weight. Doctors always say I'm fine but I feel so lousy!  Does it sound like my heart?  I'm a wreck, aren't I? I know you probably can't tell much over the internet, but I feel like this will give me a little knowledge before yet another doctor turns me away and tells me I'm fine.  I can't possibly be!  
Sorry this is so long!  Thanks very much for your help in advance - this is a wonderful service.  By the way - I've been to Cleveland, its a great city!  
Thanks!  Julia

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on July 30, 1999 at 16:25:46
Dear Julia,
I'm sorry to hear of your bad experience with doctors.  I think what he meant is that there is a very low chance of having something seriously wrong with your heart at a young age.  This doesn't mean you don't have symptoms and palpitations are very common in young women.  I suspect this is your problem as well and you can draw comfort from the fact that many other people suffer from the same thing.  Look through some of the archives here and you will find many similar stories.  Best wishes.
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.