chest pain

[winnie44]

Is it possible to have angina or heart disease when your blood pressure is normal?  Ive had chest pain on and off radiating sometimes to both upper arms.  also shortness of breath at times and fatigue.  also some flu like symptoms.  when I rest I get much better.  but it doesn't go away completely and in the last few days it has been worse than ever.  I woke up with heartburn which is strange because I never get indigestion. I am not sleeping well which is also unusual.  I have normal blood pressure and I am not overweight.  My total cholesterol is in the low 200s.  I am 62.  I have a low stress lifestyle and I exercise moderately.  Should I be worried?  My family history is not so good, grandfather died of massive heart attack at age 59.  My mom had heart disease but was diagnosed and treated.  Mom also had high blood pressure and I do not.  What's up here?  I am uncomfortable but don't want to be neurotic about this.

[Encephalomalcia]

High blood pressure is a symptom of heart disease, but not everyone gets that symptom.  My mom had severe coronary artery disease and average blood pressure. Her only symptoms was shortness of breath and legs swelling which is a sign of heart failure.  With your strong family history of heart disease and the flu like symptoms you are having, you should be seen by a cardiologist for follow up tests.  Flu like symptoms, stomach upset, heartburn, shortness of breath, unusual tiredness are all symptoms of heart disease. Make the appointment today to see your doctor.  Let us know what you find out.  I, too, have a strong family history of heart disease, but show no symptoms to date.  

[shimself]

Winnie, under the circumstances I would call a cardiologist (or at least your family doctor) immediately.  The increasingly bad symptoms, especially the heartburn, can mean an approaching heart attack.  My father was 44 when he had "stomach" problems, and soon died of a heart attack.  I am 52, have normal blood pressure, pulse, ECG, etc., but have been having the classic symptoms of stable angina over the last few weeks (and less frequent symptoms for much longer).  A few days ago, my cardiologist prescribed nitro pills and another med, neither of which I have used yet.  When the symptoms come on (with exertion or mental stress), I simply slow down or stop, and I feel almost normal.  I get an overall tightness over my chest up into the base of my neck and out to my shoulders when I do anything physical.  The doc recommends that I get a cardio catheterization, and I might end up doing that, but I am a big weenie when it comes to needles and invasive procedures.  Please post again to let us know how things turn out.