how is it possible

[keel40]

how is it possible for a person to go to the ER  for chest pains telling them that i was having symptoms of a heart attack when i have been to the same ER 2 almost 3 years prior and they gave me 3 nitro pills some other pain pills but yet they told me i had a pulled muscle? how can a pulled muscle give you blurred vision, numbness of hands and sharp chest pains, not to mention volmiting...

[nervouslady]

I think that, when someone has a heart attack, certain enzymes are released into the bloodstream. If they check for those and don't find any, then I think they assume that you didn't have a heart attack.

My grandma was sure she was having a heart attack - chest pain, shoulder pain, left arm pain, trouble breathing, etc.  Plus she has congestive heart failure and is 101 years old.  We got her to the hospital and they did not find these enzymes so concluded no heart attack.  They figured that she experienced some angina, got nervous about it and the other symptoms were anxiety induced.

I can tell you that I have had panic attacks due to health scares and they caused my heart to freak out, make me feel like I'm going to pass out, and made both of my arms numb.  And vomiting, if the panic was really severe.  Just being at the doctor's office and listening to them tell me I have VT last week (ventricular tachycardia) made both of my arms go completely numb.   It's from hyperventilation.  And oddly it happens to me even when I'm trying to breathe slowly and deeply...

I'm not saying that you had a panic attack, but I can imagine that thinking you are experiencing a heart attack or being in a lot of chest discomfort could scare you pretty badly and create panic.

I agree with the others - find a good cardiologist and have them screen you for any heart problems.  Let them know what is going on and the symptoms you've been having.  Good luck, I hope you feel better soon.  i know how crummy it is to not feel well and be worried about your health.

[Cleveland Clinic]

The only role of the ER is to rule out life threatening injuries and to initiate care when these are found. These physicians do not follow patients over long periods of time; their specialty is in acute care. They probably ruled out that you had an event, but not that you have CAD. See a cardiologist in the office for a better evaluation of this problem.

[joanincarolina]

I think I partly understand your concern. ERs are set up for emergency care and the treatment you rec'd with nitro for your presenting symptoms ( and probably an ekg) are appropriate. But nothing takes the place of consistent primary care....your family doctor..who can continually monitor your health status and make appropriate referral to a cardiologist to rule in, or out, any underlying cardiac involment. Don't dismiss your symptoms.....get checked out at primary care level as a beginning.....stress only adds to the symptoms. Your symptoms could be many other diagnoses rather than cardiac disease. Read my journal at joanincarolina.

[erijon]

Don't really understand what you're asking, but sometimes you need to trust the doctor I guess. Main thing is that if you are having the symptoms you describe you should go or call 911.

Good luck,

Jon