Severe chest pain

[DuncFindlay]

I am a 74 year old male in reasonably good health. 3 years ago, after many tests for heart related problems (eeg's, MRI, ecg's, heart monitor, MIBI test, angiogram, nitro patch, abdominal ultrasound, chest Xrays, plus others) the only conclusion was that I had arrhythmia for an irregular heart beat. My cardiologist prescribed 2.5 mg of bisprolol daily which I have taken faithfully and up to now I have not had any issues of significance. Last night after about 1 hours sleep I awoke with a severe chest pain and was sweating profusely. I sat up on the bedside and apparently fainted, finding myself disoriented on the floor. I sat up again still sweating and very weak. My wife called 911; EMS arrived and did some tests before taking me to our local teaching hospital where I was admitted to emergency. During this latter time the severe pain abated but I felt a slight pressure in the chest. During a period of six hours they gave me 2 ECG's, a chest Xray and two blood tests, all the while monitoring my blood pressure and pulse. There were no problems with any of the tests. There was no evidence of a heart attack or stroke. There was no heart damage. The attending Doctor said my problem was unrelated to my heart but could not pin down the cause of this trauma. She has referred me to my cardiologist for followup, but I am not sure he can help since this problem is not apparently heart related. Can you help?

Thanks

[DuncFindlay]

Follow up comment. About three years ago, I was told by a physician that I may have vasovagal syndrome. I understand this to be a propensity to fainting which I have experienced, but only after these chest pains. Although I have not been diagnosed with hiatal hernia, is it possible that I do have a hiatal hernia which causes the chest pains causing a vasovagal reaction (sweating and fainting)?

Thanks

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

When you were given the diagnosis of an "irregular heartbeat" 3 yrs ago...did the Dr give it a more specific name?

For people who suffer from small hiatal hernias, there are usually no associated symptoms. For larger hiatal herinas, symptoms can include chest pain, nausea, belching etc. It is quite possible that you suffered a vasovagal reaction secondary to the chest pain you experienced, which may or may not be the result of a hiatal hernia.

The good news is that during your recent hospitalization, they were able to determine that your symptoms were unrelated to your heart. During your stay, did you happen to mention or wasit mentioned to you that this could be from a hernia? If not, you may want to mention this to your Dr so that you get the propper tests done to confirm a diagnosis.

I hope that you get to the root of your problem and that you are feeling better in no time:)

[DuncFindlay]

Thanks.

My cardiologist said I had arrhythmia and prescribed 2.5 mg bisprolol daily which I take to this day. He did this after I was referred to him by my family doctor following an operation to remove my appendix in April 2007 when they discovered I had an irregular heart beat for the first time.

I will take your advice and suggest to my family Doctor that I could have a hiatial hernia which when combined with vasovagal have produced my current trauma.

To give you an idea of the tests I undertook following my original chest pain, severe sweating and fainting incident in June 2006, I have summarized them below:

Chest pain, sweating and fainting incident – June 11, 2006
Dr. (Family Doctor) – June 15
• Examination and referral to Dr. (Cardiologist)
• Examination and work-up – June 19
• ECG – good results
• Stress test – diagnosis “coronary insufficiency” (lack of blood to the heart while under heavy exertion) – June 26
• Blood pressure good – June 26
• Patch for nitroglycerine – 30 days – starting June 29 – Subsequently removed after chest pain/fainting incident on July 20
• Holter monitor for 48 hours - July 11
• Meeting July 24 – no diagnosis yet
• Additional blood work done – July 24
Woodstock clinic
• EEG examination  - brain examination - June 20
• EEG sleep deprivation test – September 19
Dr. (Resident Cardiologist)
• Pre op meeting August 16 with ECG
• MIBI Scan – August 10
• Angiogram – September 5
University Hospital
• Echo ultrasound – x-ray of heart – June 30
• Chest pains – fainting – sweating – trip to UH by ambulance – July 20
University Hospital – after July 20th episode
• 2 ECG’s
• 2 Blood tests
X-ray Clinic
• Abdominal ultrasound – July 6
• Chest x-ray – July 6
• Upper GI Barium test – July 6
Sarnia Hospital
• MRI – September 14

A subsequent meeting with my cardiologist indicated he could not find any problems with my heart or any other issues. It was not until April 2007, as indicated earlier, that there was evidence of arrhythmia.