Arrhythmia and Elevated d-dimer

[LisaSD]

Hi Everyone,

    I am a 36 y.o. female in good health and I exercise 2 to 3 times a week.  For a while I have been feeling palpitations in my chest and shortness of breath.  I went to the ER about a year ago with extreme chest pain, but the only thing they found was an elevated d-dimer (close to 800).  They did scans on my chest, but didn't find a clot.  EKG was normal.  About 6 months ago my d-dimer was checked again and was close to 500.  Both times the lab report said the levels were high.  

  I recently saw a cardiologist and he has me on a 30 day event monitor.  I am still feeling palpitations and shortness of breath, but the monitor is not catching it.  Any ideas why not?  I know it is working because it kept going off at the gym - every time my HR went past 150 bpm.  I have also pushed the record button on the monitor and transmitted.  My blood pressure monitor also has a heart rate monitor on it.  That has showed an irregular beat, but the event monitor is still not picking it up.  Sometimes I just draw a deep, sharp breath at random times.  Usually sitting down - it comes and goes within a couple of second.  Could this also be a heart issue or more likely a lung problem?

  I am very new to the cardiac forum and not sure if this is anything to worry about.  I am wondering if the elevated d-dimers are connected?

Lisa

[kenkeith]

An event monitor may show the correct heart rate and blood pressure, but the monitor may be defective for picking up irregular heartbeats.  The unit may have a technological defect.  Anytime there is shortness of breath, that is considered a serious symptom and it could be a respiratory or heart problem or both.  You should consult with your doctor for a more accurate dx of your symptoms.

Thanks for the question and if you have any further questions you are welcome to respond.  Take care.