Test Results

[ChrisCar]

I have a few questions~  two years ago I began experiencing some rapid heart beats so my doctor put me on a 24 hr holtor monitor and results came back with one episode of what "may represent" atrial firbrillation. I was sent to a cardiologist. He did the blood work and an echocardiogram ~ all came back normal so he started me on Verapamil. Verapamil worked fine until recently when it seemed not to be working at all. Doctor swtiched me to Cardizem~ could not take it~ made me sick. He then wanted to switch me to another medication but this time I refused because I did not want to keep "trying"  medication and feeling horrible. I switched cardiologists and the new cardiologist ordered an event monitor that I wore for 2 weeks, an echocardiogram and a nuclear stress test (the first cardiologist did not order a stress test of any kind before) . Echo and nuclear stress test came back normal but did have a mild case of tricuspid valve regurgitation. The monitor results came back with one episode of SVT. Doctor said I could start Atenolol or go without treatment. I am concerned because I have uncomfortable (left sife chest pain - I think it is actually the heart muscle) and upper back pain. I cannot explain the pain. i wish I could give an accurate description of what it feels like but I cannot. I know it is not normal. My question is if everythign came abck normal then why am I having these chest and back pain? Should I insist on another type of CAT scan or MRI to look more closely at the coronary arteries? How accurate is a nuclear stress test? Can an irregular heart beat or even the tricupsid valve reguritation cause pain or discomfort like this?  Something is going on but all tests are normal.

Please help!!!!

[ChrisCar]

Hello~

Thank you so much for respsonding! I am 40 years old. I have not yet started the atenolol but may start to see how it works. As far as the chest discomfort, it could be all the things you mentioned because I do sleep on my left side (shoulder and all) because I am being treated for sleep apnea, and it does get kind of stiff and muscles are tight. I have struggled for many years with anxiety and was treated with Effexor Xr for several years  but came off of it because of "not feeling in tune with my emotions". Everything seemed to be fine until I went through a very traumatic time for about 3 weeks. Got through the 3 weeks then spent the next month afterwards having to move. We needed to be out in 30 days and had not yet found a place. We finally moved in August 2005 and by May 2006, I began having the palpitations (unlike the ones I get when I am anxious); that is when they put me on the holtor monitor. Also, just two observations:

# 1)  the pain that I get in my back (started in my back and was only in my back and when I started back on the Effexor right after we moved), I noticed my back pain disappeared. I am no longer on the Effexor and the pain is back and now in the front. I am not sure if all this is related to the heart and the Effexor just happened to help with the pain or if because the Effexor helped, it is all anxiety related. If so, it is not like any anxiety I have ever had.  

2) I was diagnosed with sleep apnea back in 2004 and was put on CPAP therapy. I used CPAP for a few weeks or so and discontinued it due to being uncomfortable.  I notice dI was not waking up gasping for breath so I thought I did not have sleep apnea anymore, which could be no further from the truth. So I went 2 and 1/2 years with UNTREATED sleep apena and once we moved I started having severe episodes where I woke up several times gasping for breath- not long after that, I began having the rapid heart beats. So you see, for me it could be stemming from a number of things. I am now on CPAP therapy again.

Anyhow, I have one more thing to post but this too long so if you respond, I'll run it by you!

Take care!  Blessings

[Momto3]

Hi ChrisCar,

You didn't mention your age, but it sounds like your doctors have run enough tests to determine that your heart is healthy.  If they were suspicious of CAD, they would have pursued additional tests.  Good results on an echocardiogram, nuclear stress test and home monitoring is GREAT!  As for the SVT, have you tried the atenolol?  Beta blockers work differently for different people.  I was able to take propanolol, but could not take atenolol.  Don't give up on the meds; it's just a matter of finding the one that works best for you.

Have you ever talked with your doctor about other potential causes for the chest discomfort?  Could it be muscular, neurological, anxiety?