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myocardial bridge

I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago with a myocardial bridge over the left main artery... I was in the military and am trying to find ways to get help through the VA as my case is still in review... I was discharged on a medical almost 2 years ago and am just looking for some answers if anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it... thank you


This discussion is related to Myocardial Bridging?.
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Avatar universal
Are you symptomatic?  What's your current treatment plan??
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Avatar universal
I have a myocardial bridge that was diagnosed after a cath in 2005.  I never knew I had it either. Thought is was normal to have chest pains from running/exercise when I was younger.  Never thought anything of it.  In my early 40's when diagnosed after numerous docs visits and finally one who took me seriously and diagnosed it.  I was under extreme emotional stress at that point in my life, don't know why it seemed to pop out then?  Anyway, doc gave me medication, told me my symptoms were real, which was the biggest gift, validation, I wasn't crazy or told to de-stress my life, some a__hole doc told me to change careers, yeah right, and should I have given up my special needs child too?  what a moron!  Anyway continued to have problems and was on so much heart med's couldn't function or keep my eyes open....I was offered a stent, that turned out to be two "piggyback" overlapping stents.  I was still on meds.  I felt great, omg!  Then 8 months out, the stents threw a clot and I had a heart attack in 2007.  Mind you I was on plavix, and aspirin and beta blockers.  I was restented and again went on my merry way.  doing wonderful walking 2 miles daily and had an "episode" they hospitalized me did all kinds of tests and insisted i was fine.  I wanted to know why I couldn't get up a flight of stairs after this "episode"?  no answers other than Your fine all the tests are negative.  Went back to my original doc/surgeon and he went in to look and "again i was validated!"  the stents were closing and he re-stented me for a third time.  This was in 2009.  Now I move, go to another doc years later cause I don't feel good for some time.  It had been building and he is like well all your tests are negative so you are PROBABLY ok?  We could go in and take a look if you want?  If I want?, your the doc aren't you supposed to know?   So I went to Deborah Heart and Lung Hospital for another opinion in browns mills nj and they definately go in and wake me up to tell me one of the stents "fractured"  I have 80% blocage and they don't think stenting is the answer.  They could try, but no guarantee it will hold and and for how long and will I throw another clot....So they suggest a consult with a surgeon for bypass to permantly correct it.  I am waiting now for a week today to hear what team thinks after reviewing my history and old films and make a decision.  While at 48 it seems very scary it seems very desirable to NEVER have problems or worry about a clot again!  So it is a very real problem with very real symptoms if anyone is pursuing treatment DONT GIVE IT!  YOUR SYMPTOMS ARE REAL AND IT ISN'T IN YOUR HEAD!!!  LOTS OF LUCK.   PATTI B,,....NEW JERSEY
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1 Comments
Thanks for sharing
4246470 tn?1351644606
Hey all. In August, I had an episode in my sleep that resulted in some slight heart damage. According to what the Dr.'s think, it was high blood pressure combined with the myocardial bridge, which I was just diagnosed with this month after a heart cath. I am 38 and very fit with a healthy lifestyle. Ever since August, I've felt pretty crappy, although lately I seem to be getting better with new blood pressure meds (runs in the family). Also, and this is the big thing; I have frequent sharp chest pains that I'd rather not have. Anyone else have the chest pains off and on; esp. at night? I've learned that coronary spasms can be correlated with the MB and was wondering if anyone here knows anything about this.... I have 3 young kids and more than just about anything, I would like to know that I'm going to be around to raise my family. Thanks for any words. Glad I found this site.
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Avatar universal
I'm glad to read that others have the same symptoms I have. For the past month medical professionals have been telling me that "it's nothing to worry about". I am NOT making up these symptoms. On the same note, it's discerning that others have had these symptoms for years with no solution. I've only had it a month and am already fed up with it.
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Avatar universal
I too have just been diagnosed with this problem after 72 years of little discomfort.  I want to join the group to learn more about this problem.
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Avatar universal
I am a 37 year old woman with myocardial bridging, has anyone else with this issue noticed that they also have multiple other diagnoses? For example i am bipolar, with fibromyalgia. have Gerd and allergies. unfortunately with these multiple diagnosis it makes it hard for the drs. to find medication that works and covers all the issues. Sometimes the meds that are available are so expensive tha a disabled person cannot afford them. My other question is my dr says there is no way to fix the myocardial bridge is this true? How do you cope when you have childeren or in my case grandchildren that need to be taken care of and you are limited to a 10lb weight limit?
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Avatar universal
After a trip to the ER followed by countless EKGs, CT scan, X-rays, Blood tests, I was told I have a muscle bridge. I am 48, not overweight, never smoked, former long distance runner (2 marathons, countless 5-15Ks).  I had every test imaginable and it was the only thing wrong. Just suddenly I feel tightness all the time and my heart spikes quickly with exertion.
Oddly, one Dr. said it was the cause of my current angina, one said it was not.
I was prescribed Norvasc.  I sure hope it helps.  I need to exercise again.
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976897 tn?1379167602
I think there was a study done in China over a 9 year period. It states that surgery should be limited to those which medication doesn't help. There are basically two options available using surgery. The first is to have the bridge surgically cut, freeing the artery pressure. The second is a bypass graft using the internal mammary artery (left). The conclusion was very good, no deaths. No heart attacks. No strokes. The patients who had the muscle cut seemed to continue to get chest pains after. However the bypass patients were all symptom free. This study I believe finished in 2006 so I'm sure a lot more progress has been made since then. Other trials have been done with stents, to see if it helps prevent the artery being squashed. Those patients all had the same degree of problems after the procedure. I didn't realise the artery was squeezed so much, typically 75-90% of the blood flow is cut off with each heart beat. Thats a lot.
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Avatar universal
I'm prior military 18 years with myocardial bridging diagnosed via left heart cath three years ago.  I've done a ton of research and it is a birth defect.  Looking back I've had symptoms as far back as I can remember...not being able to run long distance and while weight training my heart would flip flop especially when doing preacher curls.  Doctors are right, no heavy lifting or strenuous exertion as it causes the heart to squeeze harder and clamp down on the already compromised artery that is laying beneath the muscle.  I was told no lifting above 7lbs and don't even walk at a fast pace.  Symptoms get worse as the bridge stretches and elongates from years of being "milked."  Wish there was better news.  I take beta blocker too...little help still get bouts of tachy cardia...irregualr heartbeats etc.  Surgery is still experimental as there have been few case studies with "live" people know to have bridges.  Normally found at autopsies.  
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Avatar universal
I just read your comment on the way you sleep. My right shoulder bothers me because sleeping on my right side is the only way I can go sleep.Sleeping on the left side puts too much pressure on my heart. I know another person in my town who has a MCB and she has the same problem.
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Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with Myocardial bridging back in 2002 at Emory in Atlanta.My doctor put me on  Atenonol and an 81mg aspririn as well as the quinipril I was already taking and told me I had to change my ways. I was told not to exert myself ever again.No more football ,2 man volleyball or weight lifting and for that matter I was not to lift anything over 50 lbs.After changing my ways I noticed a huge change in my physical well being.I still noticed that any activity in the heat was too much for me. So I started to swim. Swimming seems to help me keep the symptoms I was having away better than anything else. Mind you that all I can do is the breast stroke for other swimming styles seem to take too much out of me.
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1136180 tn?1260588759
I have the same issue and noone can give me any info on it. I am in the military going through a Medical board process and would like some data on muscle  bridging. The Army is trying to tell me that I have had this all my life, but I never had a heart attack until I was 31 years old. Any info on this issue will be helpful.

Keith
http://www.Dekeither.com
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880014 tn?1295534887
Hello Oriole
I am having a very bad time with this site.
please be patient with me. Very happy to hear from
someone with MCB.  once in very bad shape no improved.
But still havn't been myself now for the last 3yrs.
3 25mgs of metropolo  a day, 80mgs of lipitor and alot of asprin.
Fish and flaxs oils, niacin and CQ10. No caffine, salt and sugar.
plenty of red wine. Very little exercising or none at all.
I sleep sitting up part of the night then lay down using lots of
pillows to help me sleep at an angle. how about you?
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880014 tn?1295534887
I also have Myocarial Bridging of the L.A.D. This may be the only forum
people like us can exchange thoughts on this ailment.
I have lots of questions and maybe some advice.
please reply and lets see if we can help each other in some way.
mike mcgreevy
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Avatar universal
I have had chest discomfort, shortness of breath and lightheadedness for the last 1 1/2 years.  I am 33 ( 6 ft 180 lbs, non-smoker, do not drink, no family history of cardiac issues).
After 3 visits to the ER with the above symptoms, I have had a MANY tests and eventually two Heart Caths (not to happy about that) I was diagnosed with Myocardial bridging.
What meds/treatments can help with the symptoms I still have.  The only thing that has changed is at least now I know why I feel like crud most of the time.

Thanks  
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Avatar universal
contact me at ***@****
I have LAD myocardial bridging.
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Avatar universal
from  ***@****
Hello Arnold
hopefully I can  give you some  useful informati
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