Aa
Angina or what?
I was taken by ambulance from work last night to R/O possible heart attack. I have been having "episodes" of chest discomfort, pressure, tightness, burning under the sternum, and a "twinging" pain between the shoulder blades with nausea lasting usually 35 minutes or more that come and go for over 8 days now. Last night at work the episode lasted longer than usual and after taking my 10 minute break I felt very lightheaded ( in addition to the other symptoms ) so I went to my manager who called 911.
My EKG was "normal" with the exception of a few PVCs and the heart enzyme tests were normal as was a chest xray. The blood work did show signs of renal failure.
So I was told that I was not having and have not had a heart attack and to follow up with my personal doctor.
My question is...should I ignore all future similar "episodes" as they are not heart attacks or go to the ER again only to be embarassed again. I will follow up with my doctor but she is on vacation and I can not be seen untill August 10.
My EKG was "normal" with the exception of a few PVCs and the heart enzyme tests were normal as was a chest xray. The blood work did show signs of renal failure.
So I was told that I was not having and have not had a heart attack and to follow up with my personal doctor.
My question is...should I ignore all future similar "episodes" as they are not heart attacks or go to the ER again only to be embarassed again. I will follow up with my doctor but she is on vacation and I can not be seen untill August 10.
Is embarrassment worth your life? Don't worry about what medical professionals think because many have told me "we would rather you come to the hospital to be checked than for you to ignore symptoms and end up dead". This is how hospitals SHOULD see it. Never worry about what others think when it comes to your life, you only get one shot at it.
Symptoms like you are describing should never be ignored. And you should not be embarrassed when seeking medical attention for that. Better to rule out anything cardiac than to sit and "ignore" them. Take care, Ally
COMMUNITY LEADER
First off, you should always head to the ER if you think you may be having a heart attack, it's not worth risking it. Although you should be reassured about your prognosis, I wouldn't take a chance before you see your PCP.
Having said that, your symptoms are also consistent with a gallbladder issue or an esophageal spasm which is fairly common. The fact that your pain comes on at rest and not under exertion as well as the fact it has gone on for over a week is very atypical for chest pain due to a CAD.
See your doctor as soon as possible but don't take an y chances.
Good luck,
Jon
Having said that, your symptoms are also consistent with a gallbladder issue or an esophageal spasm which is fairly common. The fact that your pain comes on at rest and not under exertion as well as the fact it has gone on for over a week is very atypical for chest pain due to a CAD.
See your doctor as soon as possible but don't take an y chances.
Good luck,
Jon
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
