mens health

[kiren1966]

Hi I have been getting numbness in my left hand, my chest feels tight I feel clammy /sweaty and weak ,I have been checked at the hospital had ecg nothing shows up, the doctor said to me he could barley see my heart as my chest inside is all dark grey, this due to me being a smoker for over 30 years, about 6 months ago i had the same pain and could not move my arm, my doctor gave me some tablets i take one put it under my tongue and gradually feel better, but he says there does not seem to be any signs of angina, but angina runs in my family, what else could this be

[caregiver222]

Relief from symptoms following administration of sublingual nitroglycerine defines angina. Period. It is a long-standing method of differential diagnosis. Do not pass go. Do not collect two hundred dollars. The kicker is "could not move my arm", which is a non-typical presentation. An angina patient will often present with a perfectly normal EKG, except during an episode, or when there is damage to the myocardium, which reflects itself in an abnormal ST segment. If there is damage a cardiac enzyme test will pick it up. A stress EKG with dye contrast would be definitive.

[mammo]

Have they checked out your lungs?  I would think they would do this since you are a heavy smoker.  If your lungs are impaired due to your smoking this could very well be the culprit.  Plus, an EKG isn't sufficient in ruling out heart problems, I would see a Cardiologist and go from there.  I wish you all the best, I know this must be very scary and frustrating for you. Take care.