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Heart Rhythm (Expert Forum)
Cardiac related pains?
Answered by
Michael J. McWilliams, M.D. - atrial fibrillation, Pacemakers, Defibrillators, Arrhythmias (SVT, VT), PVC/PAC, Ablation
Wilmington Health Associates
Wilmington - NC
Questions in the Heart Rhythm forum are answered by Dr. Michael J. McWilliams. Topics covered include heart rhythm issues, arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat, implanted defibrillators, pacemakers, and tachycardia.
Cardiac related pains?
by Will1471, May 06, 2008 10:18PM
Hi there,
Could you shed some light on these symptoms for me?
I have been having an odd sinking feeling in the middle of my chest recently.
It has been paticularly bad over the past few weeks.
The sensation is like a sudden, intense, deep, sinking, lasting a fraction of a second. The best way I can describe it is that it is as if my heart has 'vanished' for a moment.
Its fleeting, but very intense for the second that it is there.
It has happened in torrents a couple of times before -when I get the feeling every few seconds for about 2 minutes, making me feel a bit faint.
I also experience a fairly strong tightness in the middle of my chest during stressful or emotional situations.
At times like this, I also get a tight throbbing between my shoulder blades - as if my heart is squeezing rather than beating.
When climbing the stairs or standing up, I also get a pounding heart, but not all the time.
I also get sharp pains on the left side of my chest, either about an inch below my nipple, or an inch to the right of it (between nipple and sternum)
I am 22 and I live a moderate lifestyle. My local doctor wont consider sending me to a cardiologist as he says I am young and in fine condition.
Ive had several ECGs, (one of them was 3 weeks ago) but the results have been consistently normal.
Judging on these symptoms, what would be your second opinion?
Do I need further tests beyond the ECG?
Will
Could you shed some light on these symptoms for me?
I have been having an odd sinking feeling in the middle of my chest recently.
It has been paticularly bad over the past few weeks.
The sensation is like a sudden, intense, deep, sinking, lasting a fraction of a second. The best way I can describe it is that it is as if my heart has 'vanished' for a moment.
Its fleeting, but very intense for the second that it is there.
It has happened in torrents a couple of times before -when I get the feeling every few seconds for about 2 minutes, making me feel a bit faint.
I also experience a fairly strong tightness in the middle of my chest during stressful or emotional situations.
At times like this, I also get a tight throbbing between my shoulder blades - as if my heart is squeezing rather than beating.
When climbing the stairs or standing up, I also get a pounding heart, but not all the time.
I also get sharp pains on the left side of my chest, either about an inch below my nipple, or an inch to the right of it (between nipple and sternum)
I am 22 and I live a moderate lifestyle. My local doctor wont consider sending me to a cardiologist as he says I am young and in fine condition.
Ive had several ECGs, (one of them was 3 weeks ago) but the results have been consistently normal.
Judging on these symptoms, what would be your second opinion?
Do I need further tests beyond the ECG?
Will
Doctor's Answer
by Michael J. McWilliams, M.D., May 07, 2008 08:15PM
, May 07, 2008 08:15PM
It is worth looking into potential other causes. I holter or event monitor would be one relatively easy way to assess whether this is heart rhythm related. Sometimes premature beats from your ventricle or atrium (lower and upper heart chambers) can cause brief sensations like this. I think your doctor is probably correct that this isn't anything to worry about, but the problem is that you are already worried and might be more reassured if you knew exactly what was causing the symptoms.
You always have the right to be seen by another internist or even self refer yourself to a cardiologist. If you refer yourself to a cardiologist, odds are the work up will be much more expensive and involve more expensive testing.
It is very unlikely to be coronary disease given the age.
I hope this helps.
You always have the right to be seen by another internist or even self refer yourself to a cardiologist. If you refer yourself to a cardiologist, odds are the work up will be much more expensive and involve more expensive testing.
It is very unlikely to be coronary disease given the age.
I hope this helps.
