Heart symptoms but not heart attack?

[shell1925]

For the past 6 weeks I have been experiencing left arm pain, jaw discomfort, jaw pain (where the top and bottom meet), back pain, dizziness, chest pressure (only when sitting down).  As I am here sitting here typing this I have the chest pressure, back pain and jaw discomfort.  I know, all classic symptoms of heart attack.

I was seen in the ER 2 weeks ago today and had the normal cardiac work-up (EKG, chest x-ray, cardiac enzymes) all negative and they did a CT scan of my head to rule out a stroke.  Sent home told to follow up with my PCP.  Since then I have seen my PCP twice, cardiologist and rheumatologist.  They all seem to think that it is not cardiac related and possibly neck/back problems.

I have had numerous cardiac testing in July 2007, and they were all negative.  The only thing I have not had done was 64 slice scan and an angiogram.  My cardiologist told me that the insurance would not cover these tests since I show NO signs of any ischemia.

I am a 29 yo female, smoker (5-7 cigs a day), have a 19 month old that I do carry on my left side, and there is no family history of early onset heart disease (father had 2 strokes and uncle has had 3 heart attacks all after the age of 50).  

Has anyone experienced these types of symptoms and it not been heart related?  I go for a bone scan on Wednesday and I have a Rx for a MRI of my C-spine.  Should I just wait and see what these other tests reveal?  I am scared and at a loss....please someone help!

Shell

[Pepswells]

How u doing shell? I've been having heart palpations and dull pain in left shoulder blade and forearm aches on left arm... Hot flashes!..... I have anxiety,Bp,cholesterol, thyroid.... Scared its my heart but when they do EKG everything's fine they my heart is working the way it should... I'm a worry wort so I'm scared I'm having a heart attack!

[shell1925]

Thank you for your reply!  I am actually going to the dentist today to get checked for possible TMJ and to see if I have any underlying dental issues that could be causing my issues.  I am not currently taking any medications except for Centrum multi-vitamin and Fish oil.

I had a cardiologist appt. on Friday and I pretty much got brushed off by him.  He told me that all the tests I had a year ago + didn't show anything and to look into possible TMJ and fibromyalgia.  I got a handshake and a "see me in 6 months".  No EKG, no BP check, nothing.  I talked to my PCP and she told me to get a 2nd opinion if it would make me feel better.  I got an appt. this Friday with a different cardiologist, a female this time so maybe she will better understand me.

My PCP is pretty good at listening me, but she would rather send me off to specialists than order any tests herself.  I heard that can be a good and bad thing.  It is frustrating because now I am bouncing around from dr. to dr.  She does look over everything and after I go see this new cardiologist on Friday I will make an appt. to touch base with her.

I was diagnosed with anxiety about 5 years ago, but for some reason this seems different than before.  I don't feel anxious like I did before, I'm just in pain.

Thank you again for your reply and I will keep you posted about anything I can come up with.

Shell

[juzaskn]

I am sure by now you have heard...... "your a 29 year old female......." because of your age, don't be too suprised if your brushed off or your symptoms belittled.

Anxiety is a very real possibility but also your thyroid could be the cause of it.  Some medications cause what you are listing out.  Of course there is also, asthma to consider.  How severe is the mouth pain, could you be having some shock symptoms in relation to the pain?  Also, when was the last time you saw a dentist? - strange question but it has been published that if you go without taking care of a dental issue and it is severe enough the root infection can actually effect your heart.

Have a DO, go through your medications (or better yet you do it ....using google, look up all your medications and find the "PI" for each one - this lists the good, bad and ugly about each medicine, see if it warns of any of the issues you are having).

Believe your cardio doc BUT DONT walk away from getting checked out.  Cardio stuff relys on what they see in the heart at that time - make sure you have a really good pcp and make an appointment to review everything with them.  If they are stuck on your age, like many docs will be - find a new PCP.  

[erijon]

It won't make any difference with RA. Also, fibromyalgia is also a very real dx as well. I'm sure they'll get to the bottom of it.

I hope everything works out for you!

Jon

[shell1925]

Looking over recent bloodwork, my Rheumatoid factor was 8, ESR 4, ANA 1:140, and ANA choice test was positive.  I don't know what any of this means.  My PCP said based on this she is possible autoimmune disorder, whereas my rheumatologist said it says nothing about that.  He is sending me for more bloodwork and the scan.  My cardiologist also mentioned something about possible TMJ or fibromyalgia.  I just want my pain and discomfort to end!

I'm guessing from what you are saying it is going to be impossible for me to get any type of diagnosis...lol.  Do you think I would be better off waiting to get my bloodwork done until I am having a "bad day"?  Or will that not make a difference.  Thanks again for your replies!

[erijon]

Your ANA is th first indication that it may be RA. You need to have your RA factor tested through a simple blood test. Anything over 28 and it's positive for RA. The only issue is that can have serum negative RA in which your RA factor is negative yet you still have RA. It's a tough dx to nail down. The CT will really only show an Osteo arthritis where there is an area of inflammation showing. Unfortunately, RA comes and goes and won't always be visible.

Good Luck

[shell1925]

What tests did they do to figure out you had RA?  My PCP thinks it could possibly be RA but my rheumatologist does not think so.  Apparently this total body bone scan will reveal whether or not I have some type of arthritis.  I have been told on 2 occasions that my ANA tested positive but my rheumatologist said that my other doctors keep reading it wrong and that it is in fact negative.  I am so lost right now, my symptoms have been recurring since 2003 when they first started.  It is almost like I have flare-ups....periods when I feel great and periods when I feel like this.  Like I said this one has been going on for about 6-8 weeks roughly.

FYI, I had my GB removed in Sept. 2007 which relieved the symptoms until they started 6-8 weeks ago.  Everyone thought for sure I was "cured".....apparently not

[scaredjo]

yeah the symptoms do sound similar apparently i have anxiety situated around my health especially my heart which can cause all sorts of symptoms i to have had all the tests which were normal
i hope u get to the bottom of this soon

[erijon]

I had similar chest discomfort and back pain for two years. Unfortunately, when the pains hit it would trigger anxiety attacks that would give me all kinds of symptoms to think I was having a heart attack. I had two things going on, first was they found I had a gallbladder full of gallstones and it was removed. About the same time I was refered to a rheumatologist and found I had RA and was given Plaquenil for the inflammation. Turns out the RA was affecting the costal joints in my ribcage causing the majority of the chest pain, which has now been resolved.

Again, don't know if it's anything like you have, but it's worth mentioning. Like you I had all the tests for complete cardiac workups in 2005, 2006 & last year including  nuclear stress tests, echos and blood work, all normal. If you have had a normal cardiac work up and been cleared by a cardiologist, believe him. If something has changed or if it has gooten worse make sure to inform them, especially with your family history.

Good Luck,

Jon