Chest discomfort

[Manic63]

I'm a 29 yr old girl of Indian origin. I have bronchial asthma and am on steroid inhalers. I occasionally have palpitations during the day associated with chest discomfort, tight,pressure like sensAtion in my chest. Some times when I have a have a full meal Or If I over exert myself I have chest discomforts as well like a ton of bricks on my chest lasting few minutes. It subsides with rest. But my Chest discomfort after a full meal takes a while before getting better.  I have not gotten myself checked. Could this be due to My asthma??  

[ChatterAlly]

Yes, there were days I would have as many as 15 to 20 spasms a day.  It was scary, too. I was put on a calcium channel blocker for the spasms.  It took about a month for that to start working.  In the mean time I used the nitro alot.  Have they discussed this with you?  I tried Cardizem LA and had some awful side effects.  For 12 hours I thought I was going to have a heart attack.  I had some very different chest pains after taking that pill. So I went back to using the Norvasc.  It takes some time to get the right combination of meds.  You just have to work with your doctor until you find the right thing.  I know that can get expensive also, but the benefits are worth the time and money.  I will be watching to see if you come in with any new posts.  take care, Ally

[Manic63]

hey there guys...
well i m now on gtn patches.. it actually helps me a little bit..
these vasospasms occur quite frequently, does it do the same for u ally?
went to the ER that day and had some ecg changes, st segment depression V2-V6
well.. i guess i should get used to this

[ChatterAlly]

Welcome to the club.  I was recently diagnosed with vasospasms and have them daily.  I tried Cardizem and had some really bad side effects with it, so I went back to taking the Norvasc.  I carry my nitro with me always!  Take care and keep me posted, Ally

[Manic63]

hey guys....
well ive had a battery of tests done..
an angiogram, echo and ecg
it seems like i have a condition called variant angina(coronary artery vasospasm) with a fixed stenosis of the LAD 30%
no plans to stent but i m on nitrates and calcium channel blockers
sigh... bummed

[kenkeith]

You have interesting medical symptoms.  Lately, I have some symptoms (shortness of breath going up two flights of stairs after a meal, but a fast walking pace on a treadmill doesn't have that effect??

[ChatterAlly]

Please let us know what you find out.  Take care, Ally

[Manic63]

thank you keith and ally.. i have gone for a check up and was referred to a cardiology unit. they've planned an angiogram for me tomorrow.. kinda freaked out but im just gonna go for it... wish me luck!! u guys doing ok?

[kenkeith]

The chest discomfort and digestion problem indicate or can be symptoms of a heart related disorder. When digesting a large meal the digestive system requires more blood/oxygen, and takes away or lessens the amount of blood oxygen available to the heart and chest pains relate to the deficiency of oxygenated blood going to the heart.  Also, with rest there is less demand for oxygenated blood so the chest pain, etc. subsides.

Asthma can cause shortness of breath and chest pains, but so can a heart disorder and/or comcomantlly.

[ChatterAlly]

Yes, that's a symptom worth getting checked.  That was one of my biggest complaints before. Keep me posted.  Ally

[Manic63]

Thank u... I think so too... Last night had another bout of chest Discomfort, felt like an elephant on my chest

[ChatterAlly]

It's worth a check up.

[Manic63]

These discomforts are not associated with asthma attacks or shortness of breath.