Heart Attack Fears Constantly?
I am a 36 y female, i had my gallbladder taken out last Nov, and starting experiencing chest pain shortly after. My surgeon at my post op visit ordered a stress test which came back normal. I started having painic attacks in January because the chest pains were becoming worse, i have made numerous visits to the ER, and each time they have done work ups and told me everything is fine. In April i went to see my internist and told him of all my symptoms, he sent me to a cardiologist - who in turn ordered a nuclear stress test - which was also normal he said it is not my heart, i had an upper GI done that revealed i have GERD - my cholestorol Total - 178 HDL - 46 LDL 115 TRI 78 Blood Pressure always around 117/78. I am scared to death because i am still having chest pain, sometimes to the left under my breast and in my jaw sometimes lower or closer to my ear, experience numbness in my left arm and upper back pain in the middle of the shoulders, should i go see another doctor
Thanks fot the query , it is also know as Thallium stress test, they want to check out that your heart muscles are alright and secondlty under stress the blood vessels are supply the need of your heart muscles. IT is a simple test you need not to worry at all.
I will agree with rest of my colleages that this can be due to cervical spondylitis, resulting in pressure of nerves and you get these pain too an MRI is done or a simple xray of cervical spine can make the diagnosis.
IT can also be due to osteochonritis and the symptoms mimic a heart problem, i too get this thing at times.
Anyway get a clean bill of any cardiac problem , the rest is a piece of cake.
In my opinion you are facing some sort of tension/stress after thoroughly going though your case history.
your bp is excellent quit stimulants and caeffinated drinks OK.
Good luck.
How about seeing a psychiatrist? You could be having a panic attack that simulates a heart attack situation. If your physical tests are all right, it could be psychological. many panic attack sufferers go to ER but find that they are all right physically.
But your pain in various areas suggest that your heart may be in problem. Doing an MRI and other tests should clear up your doubts.
You MUST read this article:
http://www.medicinenet.com/panic_disorde...
Maybe you need to see a psychiatrist to address your psychological concerns and a heart cardiologist for your physical symptoms.
it could be that your anxiety attacks are causing the symptoms..your cholestorol and blood pressure are great.
i had a friend at work that had problems after gall bladder surgery ..i think he is doing fine now.
i do know that unusual pain in the chest area can make you believe you are going to have a heart attack..one time i injured my muscles in my chest area and thought for sure i was going to have a heart attack for months until it got better.
i'm pretty sure you will be fine..
I think some medicine to relax you……paxil or something like that would help.
I think I freak out about having a heart attack a lot too. I think it's just a fear -nothing more. Because if I'm busy, I don't notice anything but once everything is calm, I start freaking out.
Get a second opinion. have you had a MRI done? Maybe you need to see a neurologist.
Well my husband had a triple bypass heart surgery this year at age 45. He was having pains and found out he needs gallbladder surgery. Well that is still on hold. He had to be seen by a cardiologist that was to approve the gallbladder surgery, They did all the test on him and had clogged arteries and had to have the triple bypass. It's been 6 months and still needs the gallbladder surgery. It was a good thing I am a Medical Assistant and I have a blood pressure cuff at home and knew his blood pressure was high and if you have heart problems you "can't" walk on a tread mill without having a heart attack if your not taken care of.
So no you are having anxiety attacks and when you are doing this get a paper bag and breath into it you will be fine. Terri/Florida