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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Chest Pain, Dizziness And Shortness Of Breath
Question: I have gone over the past year extremely concerned about my chest pain dizziness and shortness of breath with still no diagnosis and I still can't help but had a concern for microvascular disease or scad. I know there's no test for scad but as I continue to read that it just randomly happens to healthy individuals I can't help but be concerned that it may happen as well as me being concerned that I can have microvascular disease and never find out. Any input or advise.? I am also more so concerned about scad as of now because I just had a miscarriage and I don't know if the hormones can heighten the chances of it happening.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I understand your concern and would explain that your symptoms do not seem to be related to any cardiac disorders (including scad).
From the other hand at your age, scad is an exceptional diagnosis.
Regarding sex hormone intake, I would explain that they can slightly increase the risk of stroke. But the number of young women that is taking them is very high and the number of women who experience adverse effects are really low.
So, in my opinion there is nothing to worry about!
Anyway, it is not true that there is no test for scad. There are a lot of tests which help to investigate for scad.
The most lest invasive test is a cardiac stress test. I would recommend you to perform this test, which results I am sure will result normal. It will help you calm a little your anxiety.
I would also recommend some other tests to exclude other possible causes that may mimic this clinical scenario:
- a chest X ray study and respiratory function tests (considering the shortness of breath and dizziness)
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction
- complete blood count for anemia
- blood electrolytes for possible imbalance.
If all the above tests result normal, you should consider anxiety as the main cause of all your troubles. You should know that anxiety can mimic a lot of disorders including the heart, lungs, and central nervous system. But, when all the tests result normal, it remains the most probable underlying cause of troubles.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Meanwhile, I recommend continuing on a healthy lifestyle:
- avoid smoking contacts
- avoid alcohol intake
- perform a lot of physical activity (walking, aerobics, yoga, etc.)
- closely monitor your blood pressure (considering the fact that you had a miscarriage).
- eat a balanced diet (Mediterranean diet is recommended).
Regarding hormones, you should take them if they are really necessary. When used for a short time, they do not impose you to any high cardio-vascular risk.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask me again whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I understand your concern and would explain that your symptoms do not seem to be related to any cardiac disorders (including scad).
From the other hand at your age, scad is an exceptional diagnosis.
Regarding sex hormone intake, I would explain that they can slightly increase the risk of stroke. But the number of young women that is taking them is very high and the number of women who experience adverse effects are really low.
So, in my opinion there is nothing to worry about!
Anyway, it is not true that there is no test for scad. There are a lot of tests which help to investigate for scad.
The most lest invasive test is a cardiac stress test. I would recommend you to perform this test, which results I am sure will result normal. It will help you calm a little your anxiety.
I would also recommend some other tests to exclude other possible causes that may mimic this clinical scenario:
- a chest X ray study and respiratory function tests (considering the shortness of breath and dizziness)
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction
- complete blood count for anemia
- blood electrolytes for possible imbalance.
If all the above tests result normal, you should consider anxiety as the main cause of all your troubles. You should know that anxiety can mimic a lot of disorders including the heart, lungs, and central nervous system. But, when all the tests result normal, it remains the most probable underlying cause of troubles.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Meanwhile, I recommend continuing on a healthy lifestyle:
- avoid smoking contacts
- avoid alcohol intake
- perform a lot of physical activity (walking, aerobics, yoga, etc.)
- closely monitor your blood pressure (considering the fact that you had a miscarriage).
- eat a balanced diet (Mediterranean diet is recommended).
Regarding hormones, you should take them if they are really necessary. When used for a short time, they do not impose you to any high cardio-vascular risk.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask me again whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you...I am not taking hormones I was just worried about the risk of pregnancy hormones from my pregnancy and if that can heighten my risk for scad? and what's your take on the possibility of Microvascular disease? should I push for further testing, I get the chances of either of these are low, but they do happen and I dnt want to overlook them or ignore them just because of the slim chances.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information.
Pregnancy and increased hormones during pregnancy do not impose you to any increased cardio-vascular risk. So, relax and don't worry about it!
Even microvascular disease is really less possible at your case.
Anyway, as you had a miscarriage, further tests should be done to investigate for other possible underlying causes:
- coagulation tests
- anti-phospholipidic antibodies
- ANA, XXXXXXX for autoimmune disorders
- PCR, ESR for inflammation
- anti-cardiolipine antibodies.
A cardiac stress test would help exclude scad and also calm your stressed mind.
If all the above tests result normal, there is nothing to worry about.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information.
Pregnancy and increased hormones during pregnancy do not impose you to any increased cardio-vascular risk. So, relax and don't worry about it!
Even microvascular disease is really less possible at your case.
Anyway, as you had a miscarriage, further tests should be done to investigate for other possible underlying causes:
- coagulation tests
- anti-phospholipidic antibodies
- ANA, XXXXXXX for autoimmune disorders
- PCR, ESR for inflammation
- anti-cardiolipine antibodies.
A cardiac stress test would help exclude scad and also calm your stressed mind.
If all the above tests result normal, there is nothing to worry about.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope you will find this answer 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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