I have asked some questions lately about chest pain and nitro.This is whats going on-I was to have a stress test do to chest pain I was having,the day before the test I had to go to the er because the discomfort I was feeling got alittle more stronger.They admitted me for observation-they applied nitro paste and my pain pretty well stopped minor pain off and on.I went for my stress test the next morning.My doctor didnt tell me anything he said it would take a few days to get all the results back.I was sent home with nitroquick and instructed to take this as soon as chest pain started,,,,,I am scared to death !Do you think this is my heart?I have to wait until Jan.8 to find out .Any info anyone can give me please help...should I be concerned..am I having a heart attack?I wish he could have told me something..I do have restrictions I think what made me realize this could be serious was social services came to my room and asked did I need help at home(home health care)What is going on?
2006-12-24 00:09:49 · 8 answers · asked by mississippi queen 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Alright - OF COURSE! this is serious. You were admitted to the hospital for evaluation of chest pain - regardless of whether social services is asking if you need help at home. I think by any measure this is serious. Now how worried should you be today?
Let's evaluate what we know or can infer from what's happened. You were admitted for chest pain and provided a stress test for evaluation. This means you did not have a heart attack or they would not have performed the stress study. Secondly they would not have discharged you from the hospital if you had a positive stress study.
Unfortunately you continue to have chest pain - that sounds as though it is responsive to nitroglycerin. This at least implies that your condition may be cardiac. Is it possible to have cardiac chest pain and have a negative stress study? Yes. There are at least a couple of conditions that can cause that. Also stress tests are only about 90% accurate so it is possible you had a false negative study (shows that your heart is fine but in fact is not.)
This is where you play an active role. If you take two nitros (at five minute intervals with chest pain) and you have had some improvement but you are not pain free, take the third nitro and go back to the ER. It doesn't matter if you were ruled out for a heart attack recently or that you had a negative stress test. Today's problem (chest pain that is not going away with nitro) is a new issue. Usually the process will be repeated (lab studies, EKG, admission to the hospital) only this time you will be referred for a diagnostic cardiac cath (angiogram) to definitively evaluate your coronary arteries for critical blockages. If this is negative then you are very low risk for having a sudden critical coronary event.
Lastly, I would bet that you were discharged on new medications that you did not have prior to your recent admission. These medications will provide some protection to you from having a sudden major heart event. I would take it easy (no chopping wood or going for a quick jog) until you know more.
Take the medications provided you.
Go to the ER if you have chest pain that is not entirely responsive to nitro.
Finally, as another person said above, your anxiety is not helping. Try focusing on things that you find enjoyable and relaxing. Read, watch TV, visit with family or friends.
Good luck.
2006-12-24 04:38:10 · answer #1 · answered by c_schumacker 6 · 1⤊ 6⤋
Okay first of Nitro when taken with chest pain is okay, if the pain goes away you are NOT having a heart attack.
If Nitroquick is that spray you spray under your tongue (or tabs)then you can use it up to three times waiting 2-3 minutes in between doses. Do not use it more than three times in any given use. It is usually given for Angina. The stress test will confirm this or not.
It's when the pain does not go away at all that you need to be concerned about a heart attack, especially if other symptoms occur at the same time.
Relax, enjoy the holiday season, avoid stress, alcohol, and spicy food for now.
Good luck
2006-12-24 00:20:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Ok, when you went to the ER they should've taken an xray and lab work...Usually that says if you have heart disease. Now they sent you home so is not a heart attack...It can be costochondritis which is inflamation of the cartilage around your heart and this happen due to stress and is as painful as a heart attack the only difference is not a heart attack and is not heart disease. Now wait for your results take your pill and relax and pray everything will be good...
2006-12-24 00:24:11 · answer #3 · answered by dbo 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I honestly think if it IS your heart, they wouldn't mess around with you and they would have brought you back right away...anxiety can mimic heart attacks for sure,...if you were having a heart attack, or even had one, they can tell in a pee test also...I know that they would not have let you go, if there was a true threat..so you try to relax, and let them do their job,...you are just fine, I think..just stressed out and your body is reacting....social services, you are lucky they got there..tell your doctor about their visit, and tell him as hard as it is to get them to show up, should you be concerned, or use their services...God Bless little one, have a blessed holiday
2006-12-24 00:17:23 · answer #4 · answered by MotherKittyKat 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
When you have potentially serious health questions like that you should talk to a real doctor, not ask us idiots. But I can tell you from working in stress testing that it should never take that long to get those results, one day tops.
2006-12-24 00:18:14 · answer #5 · answered by RIVER 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
a "prinzmetal angina" is an angina that comes and goes at rest, on exertion and at any instance... and this is similar to your situation
however in the ER haven't they done an ECG for you and a blood test... via this they should be able to know what it is about...
practically this type of angina is treated by nitrate (sublingual)...
unfortunately i have to tell you that as an MD we think thta this is a heart problem unless proven otherwise
you physician is supposed to do an ECG, blood test (troponin, LDH, ...) and chest x-ray at the mometn of pain... if everything was normal he should go into more invasive investigation by doing cathetarisation to check up the heart status...
2006-12-24 01:20:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Two things...
1 - Get your doctor to talk to you - or
2 - Find a doctor that will answer your questions.
Asking here - is - well - just freaking NUTS.
2006-12-24 00:12:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
relax, all your worrying is going to give you a heart
attack . trust in your doc and all will be well !
2006-12-24 00:12:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋