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1481758 tn?1287638643

heart attack?

i had to go to the emergency room the other night,iwas having all the symptoms of a heartattack tight chest numb hands & feet ,shaking,short
breath,cold tingel all over my body,up set stomch,blacking out,panic.
they treated me for high ammonia levels,does this sound right?
please help i am confused
11 Responses
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1481758 tn?1287638643
it was panic attacks
Helpful - 0
367994 tn?1304953593
An increase in blood ammonia is a possible advancement of liver disease.  The impaired liver function shunts (re-routes) of blood around the liver.

If there are symptoms such as  neurologic symptoms, then treatment can be discussed - including limiting protein intake as well as a medication called lactulose.  

If the liver has been ruled out, an increase level of ammonia may also be seen with:
"Gastrointestinal bleeding - blood cells are hemolyzed in the intestines, releasing protein.
Muscular exertion - muscles produce ammonia when active and absorb it when resting.
Tourniquet use - ammonia levels can be increased in the blood sample collected.
Drugs that can increase ammonia include: alcohol, barbiturates, diuretics, valproic acid, and narcotics. Smoking."  A blood test may have ruled out a heart issue, and doctors are considering other possibilities.
Ed is correct.  The usual procedure with a suspected heart issue when in ER is to do a blood test, chest X-ray, EKG.......apparently the protocol for dx of your symptoms stopped at the blood test level.  However, your doctor should be able to account for your symptoms.

Hope this helps, and thanks for your question.  A doctor with all your health records and history is the best source to explain and/or diagnose your symptoms.
Helpful - 0
1481758 tn?1287638643
also have a pressure pain in the left sided of my neck
Helpful - 0
1481758 tn?1287638643
and said my liver was ok
Helpful - 0
1481758 tn?1287638643
they didnt do a ekg on me.
Helpful - 0
976897 tn?1379167602
I think the majority of ammonia in the blood comes from bacteria in the intestines which break down foods we are unable to, or the left overs. The ammonia should be converted by the Liver into Urea. So, I assume the problem would be to do with Liver function.
Helpful - 0
212161 tn?1599427282
how do you get to much AMMONIA  in body never heard of that one.
Helpful - 0
237039 tn?1264258057
How did they rule out any cardiac issue?  Did they do an EKG or Echo?  They always did with me.
Helpful - 0
976897 tn?1379167602
If you had the symptoms in ER, they would have done an ECG as one of the first tests, this is routine. An ECG isn't the most accurate diagnostic tool, but it would certainly show a heart attack occurring.
Helpful - 0
907968 tn?1292622204
  Every heart attack is different, so I believe.  But it could be just different descriptions from people about the same symptom for all I know.  Numb hands & feet, cold tingle, not sure about upset stomach, shacking, all don't sound like a heart attack and in fact the tight chest is the only one that is.  I'd assume they drew blood which is probably where they got the ammonia idea.  If they drew blood they would be able to tell if you are having an attack right then and there and even if you ever had an attack but since they didn't think so then I'd say you were not having a heart attack.
Helpful - 0
976897 tn?1379167602
very possible. Ammonia should be converted with enzymes into urea for extraction and a build up ammonia is toxic to the nervous system.
Helpful - 0
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