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Hi, I Am A 23 Year Old Female With History
Question: Hi, I am a 23 year old female with history of asthma as a child, but has mostly resolved currently. A few months ago I presented to the ER with shortness of breath, tachycardia and intermittent fever. Blood tests revealed nothing abnormal except of elevated D-dimer. CT scan showed no pulmonary embolism or any other abnormality. Since then, I had a couple weeks of feeling normal, but for the part 2 1/2 weeks I have been progressively getting worse. I am extremely short of breath upon any exertion (even getting up to put my son in his crib). I have to stop to catch my breath. I can barely climb a flight of stairs without feeling like I am gasping for air. I am in relatively decent shape, and my only other symptoms are a cough, persistent tachycardia (100-115 at rest), odd sharp pain? Feeling when inhaling deeply. It doesn’t feel like pain, more just uncomfortable. Anyway, my chest always sounds normal to doctors at urgent care, but I never used to feel like this. Extreme shortness of breath ALL THE TIME. I’m beginning to think something is seriously wrong with me. I have an echocardiogram, and a stress test scheduled for a few weeks out. I should note that rescue inhaler / asthma treatments do not help. And oxygen saturation readings are normal at rest, but go down to about 93-95 after exertion.
What could this be?
What could this be?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on - Ask a Doctor - service!
I passed carefully through your medical history and would like to explain that your clinical symptomatology of three months ago seems likely to be related to a respiratory inflammation/infection.
Your recent sharp pain mainly during deep inspiration doesn't seem to be related to any cardiac issue (cardiac ischemia), it is more likely to be of an inflammatory origin (conditions like pleural or pericardial inflammation, that is layer surrounding the lungs, or heart respectively could be an explanation).
A muscular-skeletal disorder in the settings of an inflammatory disorder should be sought as well.
- Inflammatory tests (ESC, PCR, etc.) should be repeated to investigate for an ongoing inflammation/infection.
- In addition, tests for rheumatolgical, endocrine (thyroid, etc.) disorders should be performed.
- Meanwhile, cardiac ultrasound would help in detecting possible inflammatory disorders (pericarditis, myocarditis), as well as any certain cardiomyopathy (chronic cardiac changes due to your previous pulmonary disorder).
So, to conclude, several medical tests would help to differential the exact (an inflammatory disorder, cardiomyopathy, etc.) underlying issue of your complaints.
You need to discuss with your attending doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further questions feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka
cardiologist
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on - Ask a Doctor - service!
I passed carefully through your medical history and would like to explain that your clinical symptomatology of three months ago seems likely to be related to a respiratory inflammation/infection.
Your recent sharp pain mainly during deep inspiration doesn't seem to be related to any cardiac issue (cardiac ischemia), it is more likely to be of an inflammatory origin (conditions like pleural or pericardial inflammation, that is layer surrounding the lungs, or heart respectively could be an explanation).
A muscular-skeletal disorder in the settings of an inflammatory disorder should be sought as well.
- Inflammatory tests (ESC, PCR, etc.) should be repeated to investigate for an ongoing inflammation/infection.
- In addition, tests for rheumatolgical, endocrine (thyroid, etc.) disorders should be performed.
- Meanwhile, cardiac ultrasound would help in detecting possible inflammatory disorders (pericarditis, myocarditis), as well as any certain cardiomyopathy (chronic cardiac changes due to your previous pulmonary disorder).
So, to conclude, several medical tests would help to differential the exact (an inflammatory disorder, cardiomyopathy, etc.) underlying issue of your complaints.
You need to discuss with your attending doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further questions feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka
cardiologist
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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