women and heart attacks/disease

I have been having unexplained chest pain for over a year and at my last doc visit he told me that he had nothing else to offer.  I have had the full run of tests, and all have come back normal.  I had one echo show mitral valve but two others showed not.  (the one that showed mitral valve was done somewhere different than the other two that showed not).  Anyway, my chest pain has increased over the past two weeks as well as a feeling of being out of breath.  From carrying in groceries to making the bed to putting clothes on my kids,  I am really short of breath.

I was wondering if I could have been having chest pains for over a year  (if it is cardiac related) and not have any tests show ANYTHING?  I have had numerous EKG's, 3 echos, lung scan, stress test, nuclear stress test, CT-A, holter and event monitors.  In addition, I have been to the pulmonary, gastro, 3 gp's,  and someone else I've probably left out.  My family thinks I am nuts, my poor husband is out of things to say to help and I am feeling pretty much like a hypochondriac.  Anxiety has been mentioned as well as a 8 month trial of Lexapro.  Helped with craziness of not knowing, didn't help with chest pain.

[tanns]

sorry, my character limit was exceeded:

I have been reading here for the past year, posted a couple times in the past but was wondering if anyone had anything else to suggest.  I've been told that the heart doesn't "knock" at the door this long without "coming" inside.  I should have comfort in that but I don't.  I have pretty strong history of heart disease on my mom's side but nothing tricky.  And mostly due to diabetes and hypertension.  I am not diabetic nor do I have high blood pressure.  Well, I used to always be in the 65/105 area and now I am in 120ish/80ish.  Not high per se, but higher for me.

I have an appointment at the Mayo Clinic on Feb. 16.  I am hoping to find some help there as I am feeling worse and worse.

Thanks to all that listen and take time from your schedules to respond not only to this post but all the other posts as well.  I have benefited from reading many of the posts over ther past year.

[PikaPika88]

Are you anemia?  Have you had your blood work done?  What are the numbers?

I'm kind like you: Female, 48.  But I didn't have that many test that you had.  All test explained "it is normal for female".  or "attenuation artefact".  You take care.

[anacyde]

Anxiety can indeed cause your symptoms.  That's been the case for me in the past.  

You've had all the tests and all the tests are normal.  I hope Mayo can offer you some peace of mind.

[tanns]

Thank you all for responding.  

Pika:  I have had a ton of bloodwork done, nothing abnormal (of course).

Anacyde:  I remember in one of my posts a while back (anxiety forum, I think) you mentioned that you had a panic attack out of the blue and that you were studying? or in the pyscology field?  I hope that is accurate.  Why isn't anxiety without a cause going away?  I can't find any triggers, stresses, ANYTHING!!  It is so frustrating.  
My chest was burning so bad tonight so I went to the centra care, they did an ekg-normal (again, of course) and still wanted to send me by AMBULANCE to the ER because of the shortness of breath.  I had to sign out AMA because I didn't want them to call them.  I didn't tell anyone I was going and the last thing I wanted to do was have the paramedics call.  Good grief!!  I am so scared that everything will be normal and my family will seriously think I belong in the looney bin.

Anyway, back to anxiety.  If my problem was strictly anxiety wouldn't the Lexapro I took take care of the chest pain too?  Am I headed in a pathway that is downhill?  Does it get better or more importantly CAN it get better?  Is anxiety/panic ever temporary?

I'm just curious about your opinion.  You have been so helpful.

Crazybeat:  Good luck on your appointment at Cleveland.  I, too, have had the anxiety label.  Since day one with my cardiologist.  I'll admit anxiety is definately a part of this NOW, but not the cause (if I psyco analyze myself?!! lol).  I wish you the best of luck.  

Thank you all again for your kind words.  

[myowncrazybeat]

I feel as though you are living my life!!  Please let me know how your appt goes.  I developed a fib after having a c-section a little over a year ago.  Only had it twice that we know of and I converted on my own both times.  Dr thinks it was stress and pregnancy related.  All my tests and echo came back nomal, with 2 exceptions:low potassium and trace leaks on the mitral and tricuspid valves.  I am not depressed.  I do get a bit unnerved by all of this.  Could it be a year long panic attack?  Doubt it.  I am of normal weight and super low b/p (90/50 most all of the time).  I have been told that everything is normal and to take Zoloft.  I have refused.  I continue to be short of breath, which is worse upon exertion.  I am starting to feel like I am doing a disservice to my children because it is hard to play or even pick up the house... nerves or heart?!?  Doc says I am just out of shape.  I strongly disagree and have an appt on the 15th for a referral to the Cleveland Clinic.  I get dizzy, chest gets tight and on occasion I do break into a mild sweat.  I understand anxiety can cause all of the above, but I feel as though they are blowing me off because I am a woman in my early 30's.  Never had the pvc's and pac's until this all happened a year ago and they are getting worse as well.  I also happen to be a nurse and feel something isn't right.  Maybe I do need brain surgery instead of heart surgery :)  but it would be nice to know for sure.  Be persistant.  Prayers go with you.

[Carrie41]

I just started Ciprilex becuase of my anxiety about my palpitations.  Did it work for you for the anxiety about the missed beats??  I am praying it will work for me!!  This is my fourth day on it (5 mg).  I go up to 10mg on Sunday.

[tanns]

Hi Carrie, I'm not sure if I am feeling any missed/skipped beats.  I do have chest pain and I think alot of anxiety about that.  I think the Lexapro helped with the craziness of the anxiety, although when I took it, I never thought it was doing anything.  It wasn't until after I got off of it that I started to feel the craziness again.  However, it never really did anything for my chest pain.  It was constantly there.

I would stick with it for a trial though.  I know for me it was over 6 weeks before it really worked.  Probably mainly because I was taking half dose because of having a hard start with it.  I am seriously contemplating going back on.  I'll wait until after my appt. at Mayo though.

Good luck to you.  

[Carrie41]

Well I am on 5 mg for this week and then 10 mg starting next week so I hope that it will help.  I feel anxiety ridden all the time about these skipped beats.  This is really taking a toll on me.  You know I have only had two little skips this morning and still feel strung out.  So did you get a lot of skipped beats before and maybe the Lexapro helped stop the skips?  I don't get chest pain just the annoying skips.