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At What Point Can I Feel Confident That I Don’t Need To Run To The ER For Every Panic Like Attack?
Question: At what point can I feel confident that I don’t need to run to the ER for every panic like attack? On Friday night (early Saturday morning) I felt like I had a pain in my chest. I had been feeling dizzy at times for the past few weeks so I felt like something was happening and went to a stand alone ER. They did an ECG, medical history, X-ray and blood work and everything was normal so they sent me home after about an hour or two. They didn’t do any additional blood work check for troponin increase. I came home and have been feeling stressed. I had been feeling nauseous on Monday and have felt better since, but I keep feeling like I get random pains in my chest every now and then. I am concerned they missed a heart attack and that I continue to have them. I reached out to a doctor on here, but want to get the opinion of a specialist. I always hear that you should call 911 at first symptoms of a heart attack, but if I’m experiencing those all the time do I go over and over? And how do I know my heart attack wasn’t missed?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I would like to know if the chest pain is triggered by physical activity or during rest.
Does deep breathing trigger the chest pain? This would indicate possible musculoskeletal pain.
Anyway, considering the normal ECG and blood lab tests, there is no reason to panic.
Do you suffer from diabetes, hypertension? Do you smoke or drink alcohol? These are known cardio-vascular risk factors for a heart attack or stroke.
For this reason, considering your concern, if you have any of these cardio-vascular risk factors, I would recommend performing a cardiac stress test ( physical stress test, stress echo or cardiac stress MRI) in order to investigate possible coronary artery disease and thus calm your mind about this issue.
I hope you will find this information helpful!
I remain at your disposal in case of further questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I would like to know if the chest pain is triggered by physical activity or during rest.
Does deep breathing trigger the chest pain? This would indicate possible musculoskeletal pain.
Anyway, considering the normal ECG and blood lab tests, there is no reason to panic.
Do you suffer from diabetes, hypertension? Do you smoke or drink alcohol? These are known cardio-vascular risk factors for a heart attack or stroke.
For this reason, considering your concern, if you have any of these cardio-vascular risk factors, I would recommend performing a cardiac stress test ( physical stress test, stress echo or cardiac stress MRI) in order to investigate possible coronary artery disease and thus calm your mind about this issue.
I hope you will find this information helpful!
I remain at your disposal in case of further questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. All of my recent blood work with my regular doctor were normal - blood pressure runs low (110s/60s), my blood glucose is normal, I have never smoked. I do drink socially (usually one day a week but 4-5 drinks).
The chest pain happens randomly. In fact, I run and it usually doesn’t bother me at all during my runs. I do feel very short of breath while running which may be the way I always have felt while running but I am currently hyper aware. Who knows.
I did have a Ct Angiogram 6 years ago after having similar issues and it was completely normal with a calcium score of 0. Would it be possible to already have developed buildup?
The chest pain happens randomly. In fact, I run and it usually doesn’t bother me at all during my runs. I do feel very short of breath while running which may be the way I always have felt while running but I am currently hyper aware. Who knows.
I did have a Ct Angiogram 6 years ago after having similar issues and it was completely normal with a calcium score of 0. Would it be possible to already have developed buildup?
Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Considering the fact that you have no cardiovascular risk factors, I think that there is no reason to think about atherosclerosis buildup.
So I think that there is no reason to panic, especially considering the fact that the chest pain is not triggered by running.
Coming to this point, I think that this could be costochondritis or fibromyalgia.
Nevertheless, a cardiac exercise stress test would help put your mind to ease.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Considering the fact that you have no cardiovascular risk factors, I think that there is no reason to think about atherosclerosis buildup.
So I think that there is no reason to panic, especially considering the fact that the chest pain is not triggered by running.
Coming to this point, I think that this could be costochondritis or fibromyalgia.
Nevertheless, a cardiac exercise stress test would help put your mind to ease.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. I have one final question. For years, whenever my anxiety picks up, I have tightness in my left arm. It really starts in my shoulder blade and seems to go all the way down my arm. What could be causing this if it isn’t heart related? Could it really just be knots?
Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again !
You should know that anxiety may mimic a lot of symptoms including a heart attack or neurological symptoms.
So, as all your cardiac tests were normal, I think that this is just a panic attack.
I don’t think that your symptoms are related to the heart.
I would just recommend to closely monitor your blood pressure values during these episodes as high blood pressure may mimic the symptomatology too.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again !
You should know that anxiety may mimic a lot of symptoms including a heart attack or neurological symptoms.
So, as all your cardiac tests were normal, I think that this is just a panic attack.
I don’t think that your symptoms are related to the heart.
I would just recommend to closely monitor your blood pressure values during these episodes as high blood pressure may mimic the symptomatology too.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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