Any nurses out there? I don't feel like anyone is taking me seriously?

Question

I guess I first noticed chest pain when I was 23 and at an amusement park. We had been walking all day and I noticed a sharp stabbing pain in the middle of my chest while we were walking that went away.

Probably a year later I experienced my first "heart flutter" -- it knocked the wind out of me and I felt like my heart stopped for a second. Many more followed after that over the years but it's always infrequent.

I went through a really rough break-up last year and my anxiety/depression really kicked in. I started getting them a lot to the point where I went to my family doctor because I was seriously afraid for my health. He put me on anti-anxiety meds and it all went away. It's the only reason I kinda believe it's not heart related.

I've recently come off all drugs and the chest pain, occasional heart flutters, etc. are back. But all my doctors tell me it's "just stress". My aunt has a heart murmur, my grandmother had 2 heart attacks and my father had a minor one..

Should I go to a cardiologist?

Answer 1

I have to say that I agree with your family doctor. If anything, the return of the symptoms after discontinuing your anxiolytic drugs pretty much proves that it is anxiety related and not cardiac in origin.

But if you are still worried about cardiac troubles, there are a few other reasons why i don't think that's the problem.

1. heart attacks are not usually of a "sharp stabbing pain" nature. they are almost invariably described as a pressure (like an elephant sitting on your chest). they are also often accompanied by pain in the left arm or jaw, sweating, and shortness of breath among other symptoms.
2. you are only 23. yes, it's possible you could have transient atrial tachycardia/flutter, but myocardial infarction is relatively rare at your age.
3. it doesn't sound that these pains are associated with activity, which could point to angina, (again, for which you are a little young)
4. It sounds like you've seen multiple doctors and none of them have heard a murmur, rub, click or other suspicious sound.

If you are still concerned, ask your doctor to do an EKG or refer you to a cardiologist. If the cardiologist is truly concerned, he can provide you with a monitor that you wear for several days that records any "events" that you may have and which may then be analyzed.`

Answer 2

It never hurts to get a second opinion. If your stressed enough for these major symptoms to come back, I would think you need to get back on your meds again. I also suffer from extreme anxiety attacks. It is a horrible way to live. Feeling like your going to die at any minute is just plain wrong. GO SEE A CARDIOLOGIST AND RULE OUT HEART TROUBLE. Once you have done that, get help for you anxiety! I am going through the EXACT same thing and have already scheduled an appointment for a complete physical.
I wish you the best!

Answer 3

You didn't say your gender, but if you are a tall, thin female, it is probably a mitral valve prolapse problem. Yes, go see a cardiologist, and have them do a echo-cardiogram, or in the very least, a 24 hour heart monitor (you wear it as a vest). Do not whimp out and suggest it might be anxiety, you know your body better than anyone else, insist on action, tell them you KNOW it is not anxiety related. This is what the first source in the search I did said:

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Signs and symptoms:

Although MVP is a lifetime disorder, many people with this condition never have signs and symptoms. When diagnosed, people may be surprised to learn that they have a heart abnormality because of the absence of signs and symptoms.

When signs and symptoms do occur with MVP, they can vary widely from one person to another. They tend to be mild, develop gradually and may include:

A racing or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Dizziness, lightheadedness
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, often when lying flat or after physical exertion
Fatigue
Chest pain that's not associated with a heart attack or coronary artery disease

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That is just one, there is lots of info. Go to www.about.com too, their medical advice and info is usually right and up-to-date.

This is from Dr. Koop's ( former U.S. Surgeon General) site:

(This has a cool pic that wouldn't paste. See link below.)

Mitral valve prolapse is a disorder in which, during the contraction phase of the heart, the mitral valve does not close properly. When the valve does not close properly it allows blood to backflow into the left atrium. Some symptoms can include palpitations, chest pain, difficulty breathing after exertion, fatigue, cough, and shortness of breath while lying down.


If you read more, you will see that this is a distressing, but generally non-fatal condition, you just have to be really careful about infections.

Good luck, I'm sure you will feel better about it when you are diagnosed, then at least you'll know it's not just the stress (stress exacerbates the condition).

Answer 4

Yes. You should always get a second opinion on something as important, and potentially serious as something that has anything to do with your heart. At least if you go to a cardiologist ... and checks you out, ....at least you would feel comfortable or more at ease with the information he gives you after concluding his findings. Whether it's good/bad at least you can figure out what the source of this problem is, and go from there. You are young but that doesnt mean something couldnt be wrong with you. The sooner you figure out whats going on with you, and if you need corrective medical treatment or surgery ... you will heal faster and better than if you were over 30 + ....get the idea!??

Answer 5

Get a second opinion. Even if it's "just stress", it is affecting your ability to live a normal life. With your heart history, I would have it checked out, throughly. I'm not a nurse, but have a similar heart history in my family, and have had cholesterol problems.

Don't let it get worse, go to a doctor as soon as you can. If it is heart related, early detection and treatment are key, as they are with any medical condition.

Answer 6

It coudnt hurt to go see a cardiologist if it would make you feel better. However you are describing panik attacks to a tee. Keep on the anti depressants and youll be just fine!

Answer 7

i dont believe this. bp and chole of a 23 yr old?... wow. ok a case for dr house.

i would asked you to seek 2nd opinion but you said all of your doctors agreed its anxiety. so theres your answer. i say dont sweat it. more than two docs saw u. i feel confident they havent missed any such as bp.

if want to have a heart problem, go to a cardiologist.
choose a specialist, you choose your disease.

man, i dont get it that you ask for nurses. are docs more than qualify to answer this? anyways, my unwanted opinion is that its nothing, but if i would make you feel better, go ahead, go see a cardio doc.

Answer 8

Why do you have to ask non-pro abut your condition. Go to a cardilogist by all means. If the doc says nothing wrong with you, then accept the fact that nothigs wrong with you, dont be a hypocondriac. Go see a doc.

Answer 9

Take ECG and consult a Cardiologist. You may have disturbed rhythm of the heart.
Please see the webpages for more details on Cardiac arrythmia (Disturbed rhythm of the heart)

Answer 10

better be safe than sorry go to a specialist and get checked out. you also might be having anxiety attacks. check both thoughts out for your peace of mind