chest pain

[DH__0]

Posted by DH on June 14, 1999 at 14:52:58
Hello,
I have sent in questions before; thank you in advance.  I searched the forum for help but didn't see anything.  I was recently diagnosed with benign and frequent PVCs and PACs.  I also get occasional to periodic PATs, considered benign.  Recent tests: May '98: stress test = normal results.  1999 tests include: several EKGs = all normal; halter monitor =  palpitations, benign and normal; event monitor = palpitations, benign and normal; echocardiogram = almost normal except slightly enlarged left atrium (4.4) and slightly elevated right pulmonary pressure (32; I live at 5,280 feet altitude).  I take Atenolol, 25 mg/day now; this medicine has helped reduce the palpitations significantly, I am happy about that.  I am a 42 year-old female, about 30 lbs overweight, have recently lost weight and am excercizing.
However, I have been complaining for months to my PCP and cardiologist about chest pain - shooting or pulling pain, usually localized in one area (but not always) - this area is in my left breast, but on the edge of it, it's upper right end.  These pains are very short (last several seconds at the most), but sometimes they repeat every half minute to minute, for a while.  Once in a while I'll get palpitations right after an individual pain episode, or I will get the sensation of a very strong, forceful beat right after an individual pain episode.
I would like to talk my doctor into getting additional testing done to rule out heart disease (I have one grandfather who died of heart attack at 53). My parents are in their 80s without major heart problems.  First of all, I've read the forum doctors' descriptions of non-heart chest pain.  I don't seem to have any of those symptoms, nor does it sound like angina.  Could the pain be caused by some other kind of heart or artery problem like a blood clot or a problem that is not serious?
And second, what kind of additional tests would you recommend I have performed?
DH

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 15, 1999 at 08:54:10
Dear DH,
Pains that last only seconds are not generally due to heart blockages.  Many suffers of PVC's complain of pain with the PVC's and this is one possible explaination.  It's doubtful a blood clot would cause this without some other symptoms.  Have GI sources been investigated?
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.
Posted by DH on June 15, 1999 at 12:54:46
I was wondering if you could answer the other question I had in my previous paragraph; that is, what other tests could be performed on me which would help determine what these pains are in my upper right quadrant of my left breast (near the center of my chest)?  Also, two more questions: what kind of pain do people complain of which are associated with palpitations?  Is it short-lived pain (such as "seconds", or longer)?  Also, what are symptoms of a blood clot?
Thanks again, DH

Posted by AMR on June 15, 1999 at 13:39:39
I too am on Atenolol for an irregular heartbeat.  I also suffer from the same kind of pains under and on the side of my left breast.  I told my cardiologist he didn't seem to have much concern over it.  To me they feel like muscular pains.  I was just diagnosed with arrythmia last week and I have only been on the Atenolol for 2 days.  Can you tell me how long it took for your medication to work?  

Posted by DH on June 15, 1999 at 15:03:08
Dear AMR,
Thanks for your message.  It seems like a lot of people get those wierd, short chest pains.  So, hopefully, we're all OK!  As far as the Atenolol is concerned, I started out with 50 mg/day for about a month, then went down to 25 mg/day because it was causing too much fatigue.  I would say that I was on it for about  a month before I noticed a reduction in my various types of palpitations.  After about two months, I noticed a significant reduction.  I hope the medicine works for you, because Atenolol is supposed to be a safe beta blocker without serious side effects.  Good luck!
DAH

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 16, 1999 at 08:39:54
Dear DH,
I'm not sure additional testing is required.  Your doctor could try a trial of stomach medication to see if that relieves the pain.  Pain from PVC's does only last seconds.  Blood clots cause serious shortness of breath.
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.