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Having Sharp Chest Pain. ECG And Xray Normal. Any Risk Of Massive Heart Attack?
Question: Partner has been having sharp, sudden chest pains for over a year, he says they are like jolts that last no more than 2 seconds. Last night it was so bad that I took him to Emergency Department where he had ECG, Xray and blood tests.
ECG and Xray came back fine, but blood tests were raised, which the Dr said indicated damage to the heart.
He was sent to a ward overnight, but no monitor was placed on him, the Dr is now saying he is fine to come home despite him still having these jolts. Is he likely to have a massive heart attack, and is there anything I can do to help him?
He has COPD, and had pneumonia a few years ago. He is on several medications such as: Solpadol, Ibuprofen, Salbutamol inhaler, Simvastatin, Doxazosin and Neurontin.
He works as a bus driver, and is insisting that he wants to get back to work asap!
ECG and Xray came back fine, but blood tests were raised, which the Dr said indicated damage to the heart.
He was sent to a ward overnight, but no monitor was placed on him, the Dr is now saying he is fine to come home despite him still having these jolts. Is he likely to have a massive heart attack, and is there anything I can do to help him?
He has COPD, and had pneumonia a few years ago. He is on several medications such as: Solpadol, Ibuprofen, Salbutamol inhaler, Simvastatin, Doxazosin and Neurontin.
He works as a bus driver, and is insisting that he wants to get back to work asap!
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Classical heart pain is in the chest; may radiate to any of arms shoulder or back; aggravate on exertion and relived on rest. The pain history as described by you is not suggestive of heart related pain.
Besides that it is very unlikely that anybody with massive heart attacks will have a normal ECG.
Though small heart ischemia can produce a normal ECG if your partner had suffered a major heart related illness, it is unlikely that your doctor would discharge him so early. Therefore I do not feel your partner has any major heart illness.
Medicines which he is taking at present can be modified as nowadays more better medicine with less side effect are available. If I were to be his treating doctor I would consider changing Salbutamol can to other inhalers. Further analgesic like ibuprofen should not be used more than a few days, therefore restrict the use of ibuprofen.
At present my suggestions are as follows:
1. Counsel your partner to stay relaxed.
2. Take rest for a few days.
3. Avoid heavy physical strain.
4. Eat healthy food. Avoid spicy, fatty, fried and junk food.
5. Tell him not to smoke or use any form of tobacco if he has been using them.
With his age and background problem I would also suggest him to undergo detailed evaluation in the form of 2D Echo and TMT test to prevent future heart risks. Consult your physician /cardiologist and discuss about the aforementioned plans.
Hope this answers your query. If you have further queries feel free to ask me.
Take care of yourself and your partner...
Best Regards
Thanks for the query.
Classical heart pain is in the chest; may radiate to any of arms shoulder or back; aggravate on exertion and relived on rest. The pain history as described by you is not suggestive of heart related pain.
Besides that it is very unlikely that anybody with massive heart attacks will have a normal ECG.
Though small heart ischemia can produce a normal ECG if your partner had suffered a major heart related illness, it is unlikely that your doctor would discharge him so early. Therefore I do not feel your partner has any major heart illness.
Medicines which he is taking at present can be modified as nowadays more better medicine with less side effect are available. If I were to be his treating doctor I would consider changing Salbutamol can to other inhalers. Further analgesic like ibuprofen should not be used more than a few days, therefore restrict the use of ibuprofen.
At present my suggestions are as follows:
1. Counsel your partner to stay relaxed.
2. Take rest for a few days.
3. Avoid heavy physical strain.
4. Eat healthy food. Avoid spicy, fatty, fried and junk food.
5. Tell him not to smoke or use any form of tobacco if he has been using them.
With his age and background problem I would also suggest him to undergo detailed evaluation in the form of 2D Echo and TMT test to prevent future heart risks. Consult your physician /cardiologist and discuss about the aforementioned plans.
Hope this answers your query. If you have further queries feel free to ask me.
Take care of yourself and your partner...
Best Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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