Heart pain....is death knocking at my door? : (

[Predaphin]

LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT MYSELF....
I'm a 29yr old male, measure 5'9, and weigh between 245-250lbs (I consider myself obese).

I have a had a history of uncontrolled (never taken meds for high blood pressure) mild high blood pressure (which was first detected at about age 23) and recently quit smoking pot (I was a heavy consistent pot smoker for the last 2 years or so). I've considered myself very inactive as my job requires sitting in front of a computer for most of the day for the last 4 or 5 years and my eating habbits were careless, as I did not watch what I ate (I actually had the tendency to eat out at fast foods alot, including Pizza).

MY CURRENT SYMPTOMS....
It started about 4 to 5 weeks ago when I started having different kind of pains in the left side of my chest approx an inch to the left side of the center of my chest. These pains can range from achy, dullness, heavy pressure, tightness, shocking, squeezing.... with achy, dull and shocking being the most common. The pains come and go ranging from a few seconds to about 5 mins. Sometimes they come more intense than other times. The pains seem to come spurraticly throughout the day and night. At times I can feel the pains with deep breaths and at times I cannot. I don't think anything specific is triggering the pains and I cannot seem to pin down when they often come (there is no certain cycle). It seems they do not necessarily come on with excertion or while exercising, however, I have felt them a few occasions while excersing (for example the first 5 mins), although I was able to finish my excersise with no pain. Sometimes I can feel the pains (also shocking sensations) with what seems to be each heartbeat. I twist and turn to see if the pain is related to possible muscle pain and the pain does not seem to happen with any movemnet or action. At one time, for a period of 3 days in a row I woke up with alot heavyness pressure and pain in my chest and as soon as I would get up it would slowly go away. The pains can become quite frightening, painful and very discomforting. I have had heart palpatations while exercising, but have noticed they have subsided somewhat. This is probably due to the easing in of the excersise from being nonactive for the last 2 years.

WHAT HAPPENED...
For the first few days i brushed it off, in hopes that it would go away, possibly by excersising. I decided to start excersing after I quit smoking and also decided to change my diet. But after a week and a half, I woke up with heavyness in my chest for 2 days in a row, not to mention a continuance of "on and off" pain that ha not gone away, I thought I better seek medical attention by making an appointment with my family doctor. They took me in right away as I complained of chest pains.

They checked my blood pressure and, as usual, mildly high (153/93). They did blood tests and 2 (resting) EKGs which both came back normal (including normal cholesterol). The doctor advised that she felt I may be suffering from GERD (acid reflux) and prescribed some Zantac. She stated she did not think this was a heart realted problem, but to be on the safe side, she has scheduled me for a stress test (treadmill EKG), which is pending on 7/7/08.

Just yesterday I had the most frightening pain of all, I was at work around 9 AM simply walking to my desk when I stopped to chat with a co-worker, while talking all of a sudden I felt what seemed like a crushing chest pain with a spasm mixed in around or where my heart is. It lasted about 7-10 seconds and slowly went away. I freaked out and quickly rushed to tell my boss. I did not get that same awful pain anymore for the rest of the day. After work I rushed myself to the ER as I was still freaked out. They took me in and did an EKG and chest X-ray immedietley. Both came out normal. This was the 3rd EKG that has came out normal. The doctor stated that the number one rule of thumb was not if the pain did not increase during physical activity then the chances are that it is not heart related and that was a good sign. Ever since that scary incident, I continue to have spurratic chest pains that come and go, but I haven't had the consistent pain that lasted for more than 5 mins since then. (NOTE: I also noted that before I decided to diet, after I ate a heavy meal I would feel my head throbbing, my heart would feel like it was struggling to beat or beating very hard, and I felt very hyperactive).

MY CONCERNS....

My greatest concern is that my chest pain is heart related. Being that I had unctrolled high blood pressure smoked pot heavily, was inactive both at home and at work, Over-ate (Also due to Pot)....... Could this be heart related? Could I have somehow caused damage to my heart? Could I have heart disease?

NOTES TO CONSIDER....

The day before I had that sharp pain that almost sent me to the floor, I had pushed my limits on the treadmill, doing an hour of excerises and somewhat intense. I did not have any pain while on the treadmill that day at all......could that have caused my pain??? Could my heart simply be waking up from being nonactive???

I AM SINKING INTO DEPRESSION...

I'm at a lost. This is causing depression and anxiety in my life (which now seems to alter my symptoms). I cannot concentrate at work (especially when I have spurratic pains in my chest). I am now having trouble sleeping. I dont' know if it's me or if I am sometimes feeling like I am having shortness of breath at night when going to bed. Any help or input would be appreciated. I have a wife and 3 children (ages 6,9,12) that I think of everyday. I am very scared.

[Crewchief67t]

Hi i was wondering if any of your problems have been resolved?  If so how?

Thanks

[pookie970]

i was wondering can a heart attack linger for days i have mild chest pain that sometimes wraps from my back to the front not really chest more like in middle below chest can feel pain in throat i do suffer from bad heartburn alot any ideas

[chestpainsfor8months]

Forgot to mention, I apologize I keep adding to your blog..  The electrical sensations you are describing I have experienced as well..  I went to the chiropractor and needed an adjustment BADLY and also had a massage and have not had those sensations since then (knock on wood).  I have also heard acupressure (such as a pedicure) in certain spots of the body can help with anxiety, panic, sleep, heart and lung ailments, etc..  I am willing to look into anything if anyone has any other suggestions.  The library and your own research is the best research of all.  I do alot of "teaching" to my doctors.  All I want to do is avoid my problems from happening to anyone else just because we are "too young" or "its just anxiety"..

[chestpainsfor8months]

Chest pain, in my opinion, is one of the worst types of symptoms to have.  It can be caused by SOOOO many different things and often times, people are written off because we are "too young" to be concerned, or we have a "history of anxiety" so it is just anxiety.  I was reading through alot of everyone's symptoms and I am assuming everyone has had recent lab work?  Alot of these symptoms can be due to hypo or hyperthyroidism, hypo or hyperglycemia, or even dehydration, allergies, exposure to different temperatures, pollution, etc................  Please make sure to follow up with doctors on a regular basis, keep your scheduled appts, make sure your lab work is done on a regular basis.  Monitor your blood pressure, keep a diary of your symptoms, what you ate, what you were doing, how you felt, etc..  Pulse rate is also very important and medications taken are important in your diary.  This can be very helpful to your doctor to look through and see the next step in your treatment plan.  Also, even those that do not have "heart problems", there are cardiology groups, or even some primary care groups that offer cardiac rehab or monitored programs where you can go in and there is medical staff monitoring your activity level and teaching you the proper steps as you learn or start a regimen for heart health, activity, etc..  Make sure to consult your physician before starting or increasing any activity when you are having these symptoms, if you have any underlying health problems (high blood pressure, obesity, etc) and you have been sedentary for any length of time.  It is also recommended for those that are "healthy" and over age 35 to consult their physician before starting any regimen.  If you are on medications, follow food and medication interactions, take them as prescribed.  If you are a smoker, stop, if you are on hormones, consult your physician on alternative  methods.  Regardless of your age, keep moving, even stretching, changing positions at your desk at work or on the plane at least every hour and stay hydrated to help in preventing a blood clot.  Okay, time for bed, I do hope this helped someone!  Good luck!

[chestpainsfor8months]

Just wanted to add, NEVER EVER EVER try to "self-diagnose" yourself..  The results could cost you your life!  If you are experiencing new onset chest pain seek immediate medical attention within minutes!  If you have experienced chest pain before, but it is lasting longer than normal, has changed in any way, or occurs with other symptoms (indigestion-especially in women) sweating, dizziness, travels to other areas of the body, seek immediate medical attention within minutes!  If you go to the ER and don't feel comfortable with the diagnosis they are giving you, ask further questions.  You have the right to understand the tests you are receiving, what the results should be and feel free to ask them, "okay, I have all these symptoms, when do I know when I am supposed to go to ER"..  If you experience anxiety or have been diagnosed with anxiety and your medications you take for anxiety are not helping your chest pain, seek medical attention.  If you have been diagnosed with asthma and your rescue inhalers are not relieving your shortness of breath or chest pain, seek medical attention, etc.  If you have been given Nitroglycerin and after following your doctor's instructions (for example take one every 5 minutes for 15 minutes, not to exceed 3 tablets under tongue) and your symptoms continue, seek medical attention.  Take your life seriously..  Again, don't hesitate to ask for a second opinion.  If may help to go to another ER next time your symptoms return to see if they have any other options or treatments for you.  Remember, only YOU know your body!  Take care everyone!

[chestpainsfor8months]

Hi there!  After reading your post, I wanted to share some of my experiences with you.  First of all, I am in the medical field, and after having 3 blood clots at age 31 I have learned enough to make anyone anxious, my anxiety is through the roof when it comes to thinking if it's cardiac related, are the doctor's sure?, etc..  I know EXACTLY what you are saying.  First, let me tell you about a conditioin known as Atrial Fibrillation, this is an arrythmia (irregular heart beat) that can cause some of the symptoms you are describing and it is not uncommon in marijuana use (or former use) at any age.  I have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and have basically narrowed it down to it occuring after I vomit (with the flu, etc)..  But again, very scary symptoms.  Of course, very hard to "catch" the episode at an ER visit, so would recommend holter monitoring (for 24 hours) and to ease your mind further an event monitor (can be worn for 2 weeks- one month) depending on what your cardiologist approves of.  Other things that are known to cause chest pain..  GERD, Stress, Anxiety, sleep disturbances, smoking, illicit drug use, different herbs (green tea, ginseng, bitter orange to name a few), electrolyte disturbances (lab work can rule this out), dehydration, caffeine, alcohol, high altitudes, asthma, back and/or rib problems, lung problems, pulmonary hypertension, blood clots, infections, inflammation, gallstones, pancratitis, fibromyalgia, depression, using decongestants or antihistamines, the list goes on and on.  I would suggest if you have a good cardiologist and a good pulmonologist (they will run all the tests to rule out the "emergent" causes) they will refer you to the proper specialists to look further for the cause.  Don't be alarmed if they suggest a psychiatric consult or a visit to a good counselor.  That can help tremendously.  Try your best to deep breathe, relaxation techniques, not eating at least 4 hours before laying down, eliminating the above triggers from your life and of course DO NOT try any new over the counter meds or herbs or prescriptions without your doctor's approval and make sure ALL of  your doctors are aware of everything you are taking.  I hope this helps, and it should ease your mind when you find the "right" group of doctors.  Keep searching until you find one..  We are all in this together!  Take care and best of luck!  Don't ever hesitate to go to ER if your symptoms are worsening, or you want to make sure it is not your heart.  It is better to be on the safe side.