What is wrong?

[T Van]

Vitals: 27 yrs/male/220 lbs(was 285 1 yr ago) bp 127/80(on 80mb diovan, Cholesterol (as of 8/2/2000 when this all started  LDL 67 HDL 25 Total 125, Never smoked, very occasional drinker (1 glass wine every 2 or 3 weeks) Wondering what is going on, and very scared about heart attack.  Have high bp for 2 yrs. About 15 mths ago had central chest pain (dull congestion like pain).  Went to dr. and had ekg: showed nothing.  Stress test-nothing Echo-nothing, numerous ekgs-nothing.  Saw skeletal specialist-said I have one leg shorter than other, gave heal insert for shoe to correct (seems to help some)... but
In sept 2001 went into A-fib (was cardioverted by shock).  Only things that led up to it was a large Mexical meal at a restraunt.  Ekg and echo after were normal.  On no medication for A-fib.  Only meds I take are 80mg Diovan for bp, 12 hr claritin for sinus stuff, asprin daily.

So questions are:  I sometimes feel my heart beat very stongly in my chest(pounding): what would cause this. Also, while sleeping, left hand goes to sleep very easily if I lay on it and have left arm pain (tends to occur after I have slept on left side: is this related?  

Wondering what is the best way to detect blockage in arteries?  Is the only way to tell by cath?  Should I be having a cath done?  Also, how does EKG determine if heart attack has occured, or if there is blockage?  

Should BP dropped more with the weight loss?
Scared to really excercise because of all this
I have lost 65-70 lbs in past year, and eat much healthier (low fat foods if at all possible, and high fiber.

[Mr. Know it all]

I heard that when laying on the left side and you feel your heart it could be a mitral valve prolapse, but when you turn over and lay on your right it goes away.  If all else checks out alright, I suspect the pounding feeling of the heart and/or missed heart beat feelings to cuased by deficency in magnessium and pottassium, excessive salt and alot of calcium use could hinder these vital nutrients absorbtion.  These 2 minerals help regulate the electrical activities in the body.  That Mexican meal you ate must've been laoded with sodium and if not the type to eat bananas, green leafy vegtables everyday than you may have felt symptoms of mg. and potassium deficeny
***@****

[eloridas]

CCF-M.D.-CRC gave you really good advise.  All people are different and therefore need to be addressed by trained medical professional.  The doctors on this forum seem to give really good advise and explain things well.  Good Luck!

[The Dude]

I have the exact same thing happen to me all the time.  my heart feels like it's going to POUND out of my chest.  I have yet to die.  Unless you have a history of heart problems, and are out of breath, sick and feel bad, I wouldn't worry so much.  Just go to yoru Cardiologist and reassure yourself about things if you need to.  The internet has so much knowledge on it, you can make yourself think you have anything.  I hope you feel better.

Lachoza

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear Tvan,
The feeling of a strong heart beat is very common and usually is a benign symptom.  Occasionally this may indicate a fast arrhythmia.  The next time this happens count your heart rate.  If it is >120 you may need to get an event recorder from your doctor to record your heartbeat during one of these episodes.  

As far as you hand going to sleep this is also a common symptom and is due to nerve compression.  It is best to change positions when this occurs.

There are other methods to determine if there are coronary artery blockages besides cath.  Commonly used tests include thallium scanning and echocardiography.  An ECG reveals the electrical damage done by a blocked artery.

Congratulations on the weight loss!  Keep up the good work.  Specific recommendations regarding BP, amount of weight loss and exercise should be made by your doctor.