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Avatar universal

TIA? Not sure.. Heart?

  I am a 28 yr old male, heavy smoker,  kind of inactive.   I get occasional skipped heart beat sensations,   But I was at the computer today, smoking and having coffee, and all of the sudden, I felt a very profound out of sorts dizzy feeling.  Sort of like a light headed brain clogging type feeling.. hard to explain.. There was no pain, but felt what i think was fullness or something in my  head.  It was a very strange and scary feeling, it lasted about 3 seconds or so then went away.  Dont believe there was any other symptoms.  It felt like the blood got cut off to my brain for 3 seconds or something.  I was thinking maybe this can be a mini stroke?  I do have anxiety problems.  I check my pulse alot sometimes not even consciously, im not too sure if i had my hand on my neck or not checking my pulse.. I think there is a possibility that i perhaps was putting pressure on my carotid artery not realizing it.. but thats just a guess.  
4 Responses
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Avatar universal
  Does anyone know the chances of this being a TIA, given my age, and symptoms?  

regards
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
  Thanks for the response.  In 2005  I got a holter monitor because the skipped beats were scaring me.   All they said were that my results were very good.  Thats the only heart test I have had.   May i ask, why is the occluding of the carotid artery of significance if i caused it myself?  

regards.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't think anyone would give you an answer ratingyour risk based on your age and symptoms.  Your RISK factors are the bigger issue here. Being a sedentary heavy smoker raises your cardiac risk factors more than you realize.  Also, the possibility that
you occluded your Carotid artery is of signifigance, however you are not sure if you did or did not do this--coupled with your known anxiety ---
This all adds up to your need to see a Cardiologist for an evaluation of your risk factors and overall vascular health.
You need to cut back or stop the smoking and increase your activity level, but with the
symptoms you describe, it would be best to involve your physician in a plan to move forward.

Helpful - 0
298366 tn?1193102292
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are very young and should not be having this sort of symptom. You need to find a way to quit smoking-- there are options to assist you with this and you should discuss this with a primary care physician. Yes, this could be a TIA or it may also be a panic attack given your known anxiety disorder (which nicotine will make worse)
Helpful - 0

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