EKG Normal... Still worried

[Mialsa]

I am 32 years old and I have recently been having an ache in mostly the left side of my chest, my shoulder, and the left side of my back and sometimes in  my jaw and into my neck ..on both the left and right sides. It feels almost muscular at times but I was worried because I am significantly overweight and my father and grandfather had heart disease. I went to my doctor and he did a chest xray and EKG both were normal. My blood pressure was in a very good range and at last check (last summer) my cholesterol was very normal. My doctor seems to think it may just be inflammation in my shoulder but I a still worried. He said I could have a stress test done but I dont have insurance and it is expensive. Should I be worried given that the results of my EKG were normal? What else can I do?

[MyNewHeart]

Just experienced it myself...!!!

I am 47 y.o. male, 5'8" 170lbs, very low-risk (non-smoking/drinking w/ no history of any drugs abused, no history of a heart disease in my family).  Well, I had the same problem as yours.  About 7-8 yrs ago...once in a while, my chest got tightened up on the leftside (especially, when I was running to catch the sub-ways).  Anyway, I went to see the doctor.  He then put me on the EKG test...yes, the result was "normal."

Until 2 wks ago (Mar/8/2004), after I had a colonoscopy, I complainted to my Gastroenterologist that, lately, I experienced a tightened chest more often.  Well, he checked my blood tests result...and told me that my blood pressure is a bit too low, pulse rate is a bit lower than normal, chrolesterol a little too high...229 (HDL 57/LDL 147).  However, he would refer me to a cardiologist & put me on a "stress" test.

Last wk (Mar/15/2004), I had a stress test.  Guess, what...?  My "normal" condition (before stress) looks OK...my heart rate & BP are OK.  Nothing is wrong...right?

Well, to my surprise...after I started jocking on the threadmill for almost 5 mins.  The results just showed up right away.  My cardiologist looked at the "after stress" graphs...he pointed it out to me right away that there are "abnormal" patterns...w/ the possible of "block" in my artery.  He then arranged me to have a "Cardio Catherization/Angiogram" test.

Last Friday (Mar/19/2004), after laid on the examination table in Cardio-Cath Lab in the hospital for almost 40-45 mins, the Truth has came out...!!!

Surprise...surprise, the X-ray screen showed it all...

After 6 scans, The doctor told me that I have about 50-60% single block in the "middle" of LAD. (He then gave me a low-dose of Nitro to see the response from LAD.  Wow...I wouldn't believe it, if I didn't see it w/ my eyes.  The block just openned up like a normal!!!)

Well...well, it was really a big shock to me...!!!  For more than 6 yrs, I have been very cautious about my dietary (& have regular exercise, at least, once a wk).

Lesson learned, EKG cannot detect a beginning stage of Heart Disease...!!!  Anyway, trust your intuition!!!  If you feel some abnormality in your chest, just ask your doctor to put you for a "stress test."  (If necessary, a "Cardio-Cath/Angiogram" test.)  As you know, Heart Disease is the # 1 "silent" killer...

Good lucks,
Nat


PS:
I haven't discussed w/ my cardiologist on the options yet, since I just had the procedure done last Friday.  Any advice on the medications or the quick-fix "stent" will be very welcome & appreciate...

[DJ60]

I too am overweight (fem.) and know that feeling of "it's your weight". As for what you are describing. I have a herniated disc in my neck and my left shoulder was injured in a work accident. I get pretty much have the same syptoms you are having. If you can I would try a Chiropractor. No I am not a Dr of any kind but that is what has helped me and I have been on disabily and putting up with this since 91. It might be worth a try, I know the one I have seen will make payment arrangements. I go to a Straight chiro. None of the other stuff the majority seem to get in to. Just adjustments period. I also had an episode of rapid heart then slowing so much I almost passed out. I did have an ekg and stress test done. The stress test was negative as the ekg also. I also have had a 24 hour monitor and a 30 day one on. They can't make up their minds. I'm not going to stress out about it and hope you don't either. As expensive as they are I don't think they are as reliable as they are made to be. A very close friend of mine had four neg. stress tests done and died of a severe heart attack that took him instantly at 44. Some they cath, others they don't. So unless your Dr. says get one and it is imperative, just let it go and don't worry yourself into more trouble or a worse financial state :)
Take Care

[flipflop]

hello,

   have you been evaluated for any type of autoimmune or connective tissue diseases that may cause costochondritis, shoulder bursitis or even attacks of carotidynia(an inflammation of the carotids, the large arteries in the neck that carry blood to the brain), maybe an evalutaion of thyroiditis(an iunflammed thyroid should be ruled out also, especially if it hurts to swollow, not in the throat but in front, on the outside of the neck.

like the previous poster I'm no Dr., but an evaluation by a good internist my get to the root cause.

good luck

flip(Lyn)

[PreMDXtrasystole]

I'm not a Dr, but it sounds to me like you have some sort of muscle/soft tissue inflammation (I would tend to agree with your doctor). It is possible for your chest wall and/or surrounding tissue to become irritated, causing the type of discomfort you described. If your doctor was able to examine you and perform the tests you mentioned while you were experiencing these symptoms (or even after) without any significant result, I wouldn't be too worried. Most likely an infarct or ischemic episode (reduced blood flow to portions of the heart - ie "heart attack") would present itself on the EKG; you mentioned that your doctor seemed to think everything was OK. Good blood pressure and cholesterol are important to keeping your heart healthy, as is a reasonable diet and weight management goal. I think the best one thing you can do is to try and improve on your weight to avert any problematic situations that might arise in the future. Take your doctor's advice as the most reliable you receive, he is the one who is actually able to examine you. The people here including myself can only make suggestions. If your doctor seems to think everything is ok, no other tests are indicated, and your pain isn't severe / you aren't physically impaired by it, I would work on improving overall cardiovascular health and consult with him if the pain persists or worsens. Good luck to you!

~PreMDXtrasystole

[flipflop]

TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome ) could also cause symptoms of jaw pain, epecially if your are clinching your teeth together tightly without realising it, sometimes this happen during sleep , due to stress.

hope you get a definite diagnosis


flip

[Heathbar]

I am overweight as well and a 33 yr old male. The doctors answer to everything when we are overweight is to lose weight.
We are asymptomatic (hope i spelled that right). The docs always want the weight down before they persue other areas, or so it seems so to me anyway. And god knows I'm trying to lose. I dont know your situation as far as your weight loss attempts, but good luck in trying.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Mialsa,

The natural history of angina or cardiac pain isn't really consistant with what you describe, as it sounds like this pain is constant and hasn't changed over a period of time, so it doesnt sound like your doctor is all that wrong if he/she has taken a good history and physical.  A stress test if this is the case, would probably have a higher chance of being a false positive then a true positive.

As for what else, you need to lose weigh and assume a healthy lifestyle. I would work with your doctor to accompish a game plan!

good luck