Chest Pains

[monica16##]

I am a 51 year old female and am having chest pains.  I even went to the ER thinking I had a heart attact, but 2 ekg's, chest x-ray and blood work were normal.  I do not have health insurance, so really cannot go to get it checked out.  Chest pain started about 6 months ago and it would be under my left breast and center of chest.  I used to smoke and drink quite a lot but cut out smoking 3 months ago when I had my episode and had to got to the ER.  I still drink occaisionally, but then get rapid heart rate if I do.  I get chest pains now further up my chest and it occurs almost every day.  Just today I had chest pain in middle of chest under the sternum and it was followed by a rapid heart rate of about 115.  Laid down and heart rate returned to normal.  I know I should get tests, but without health insurance, what am I supposed to do?  Also, when laying down I fell like a big heart beat, it is weird, the bottom of my feet sort of feel pulsing.  I run about 2.5 miles about 4 to 5 times a week and it doesn't bother me, except sometimes I burp while running.  What is wrong with me?  I have never had chest pain before, although when younger doctors told me I had a heart murmur throughout my 20's and 30's, but now it doesn't seem to be here any longer.

[monica16##]

Hmmm....CHF common among runners?  How odd, running and aerobic exercise should strenthen the heart, no?  I still have chest pain it is weird, my resting pulse goes down to 52 sometines and my blood pressure is always low, between 90/60 to 107/71 something like that, but my resting heart rate is usually is 70-80. I guess I should get a stress test done.  I wonder how much they cost, about 200 bucks?

Got the Hawthorn Berries extract and am now taking that.  Until I get health insurance again just have to cope on top of it I am unemployed and job hunting fun!  I guress the only thing I can do is go to the ER if something bad really happens.

Monica

[Thatch]

You are not being ignored but I for instance can only give advise on things to do for congestive heart failure, which you may well have, so I will give you some very generic advise. Read about Hawthorn Berries and control your sodium intake. Both of these things would be of benefit to anyone. If you do have CHF, which is common among runners, it might save your life. If you decide Hawthorn sounds like a good idea the least expensive but high quality source that I know of is Swansons Vitamins and buy the Standardized Extract. Take 2 every 8 hours, with food or on an empty stomach. If you do have any heart problem this will, or should be of benifit, but research this carefully. If you do have CHF, don't get it diagnosed and treated you are in trouble. A high intake of sodium will cause severe problems and your heart can balloon up. It happened to me. Stress hurts everyone, if you have CHF it will damage you quicker and more. You can have normal EKGs and normal blood pressure and have CHF without endema. There are of course lots of other things that can be wrong, and it might not be your heart. If so hawthorn can be considered preventive maintainance. Good on you for quitting smoking and for seeking help.

Thatch