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Question: I have had a lot of stress in my life the last 3 months..suicide of a friend..death of a best friend etc..my heart is stressing out..my pulse is rather high..standing 120 resting 80-90..I have skipped heartbeats and my oxygen level on a pulsimeter is around 96..I also had c-reactive levels at a higher level of 4.5.. I went to the cardiologist and my EKG had not changed in two years..it looked fine..what is going on in my body..my blood pressure usually is good but when I go see a doctor it shoots up to 155/100.. Normally it stays in the normal range ..should I take some blood pressure meds to get me over this stress period? Am I a heart attack ready to happen..five years ago I did a calcium ct score test it was at 0..I am stressed right now feeling my heartbeat through my chest..could the doctor be missing something?
Brief Answer:
Panic attacks
Detailed Answer:
Every individual experiences anxiety in some form at some point of time.Due to recent emotional trauma in your life you are most likely having panic attacks due to elevated stress and anxiety levels symptoms of panic attack are like racing heart, nausea,elevated blood pressure tremors and intense fear. A panic attack is a sudden rush of overwhelming anxiety and fear. The heart pounds and breathing becomes difficult. If ignored and untreated, panic attacks can lead to panic disorder and may cause one to withdraw from normal activities.
Treatment
Behavioral treatment:cognitive behavioral therapy is widely considered as one of the effective treatments for panic attacks. This form of treatment effectively focuses on thinking patterns and behavior that triggers panic attacks. It helps you to look at your apprehensions in a better light.
Medication Treatment- Certain medication such as antidepressants and Benzodiazepines are prescribed. These are anti-anxiety drugs and gives immediate relief from panic attacks.
Please discuss the options with your pyschiatrist.
As per your question
1)No don't take any anti hypertensives right now,once anxiety settles down things will return to normal.
2)No don't worry you are not going to have a heart attack,However to be on safer side i would suggest you to undergo TMT and Echo test.Once cleared from cardiology point of view follow your psychiatrist.
Thanks
Panic attacks
Detailed Answer:
Every individual experiences anxiety in some form at some point of time.Due to recent emotional trauma in your life you are most likely having panic attacks due to elevated stress and anxiety levels symptoms of panic attack are like racing heart, nausea,elevated blood pressure tremors and intense fear. A panic attack is a sudden rush of overwhelming anxiety and fear. The heart pounds and breathing becomes difficult. If ignored and untreated, panic attacks can lead to panic disorder and may cause one to withdraw from normal activities.
Treatment
Behavioral treatment:cognitive behavioral therapy is widely considered as one of the effective treatments for panic attacks. This form of treatment effectively focuses on thinking patterns and behavior that triggers panic attacks. It helps you to look at your apprehensions in a better light.
Medication Treatment- Certain medication such as antidepressants and Benzodiazepines are prescribed. These are anti-anxiety drugs and gives immediate relief from panic attacks.
Please discuss the options with your pyschiatrist.
As per your question
1)No don't take any anti hypertensives right now,once anxiety settles down things will return to normal.
2)No don't worry you are not going to have a heart attack,However to be on safer side i would suggest you to undergo TMT and Echo test.Once cleared from cardiology point of view follow your psychiatrist.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
So why is my cardiac crp so high? Since I am having all these heart problems it seems like it is related. My 82 year old mom had all the heart tests every year and they just found a anuryism in her main artery plus a blocked artery..does EKG and echo not show these things ..that's why I am worried they might miss something thanks!
Brief Answer:
follow up answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
As per your question,
No EKG,TMT and Echo are not going to show aneurysm or blockage in coronary artery.
They just reflect whether blood supply to heart is normal or not,If blood supply is compromised that means there can be coronary artery blockage.
In case you want to be sure that your don't have any cardiac problem.Coronary angiogram is the gold standard test with sensitivity more then 99%,Any aneurysm or blockage will be reflected in it.
CRP is an indicator of inflammation in the body,However its a very non specific test.So if you want to go for CRP i would suggest you to go for test named high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test, which is more sensitive than a standard test, also can be used to evaluate your risk of developing coronary artery disease, a condition in which the arteries of your heart are narrowed.
Thanks.
follow up answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
As per your question,
No EKG,TMT and Echo are not going to show aneurysm or blockage in coronary artery.
They just reflect whether blood supply to heart is normal or not,If blood supply is compromised that means there can be coronary artery blockage.
In case you want to be sure that your don't have any cardiac problem.Coronary angiogram is the gold standard test with sensitivity more then 99%,Any aneurysm or blockage will be reflected in it.
CRP is an indicator of inflammation in the body,However its a very non specific test.So if you want to go for CRP i would suggest you to go for test named high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test, which is more sensitive than a standard test, also can be used to evaluate your risk of developing coronary artery disease, a condition in which the arteries of your heart are narrowed.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
I am pretty sure I had the cardiac Crp is that not the high sensitivity test? They also found some mild attenuated vessels in my eyes..but I did do a calcium ct score test and it was 0.. Are those very accurate? My pulse stays so high is that usually indicate heart problems.. Sorry I have so many questions .. I do appreciate you sooo much!
Also does angiogram have a lot of risk?
Also I am very nearsighted they said that could cause the vessels in my eyes to look like they are attentuated
Also I have a lot of cramping in my feet..any relation to the heart
Also does angiogram have a lot of risk?
Also I am very nearsighted they said that could cause the vessels in my eyes to look like they are attentuated
Also I have a lot of cramping in my feet..any relation to the heart
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
CRP is just a indicator of future risk of cardiac disease and is not a very sensitive test.No,none of the tests mentioned by you including calcium score is very sensitive or reliable.
Pulse can be high due to dehydration,Anxiety ,stress and a number of factors.Its not necessary that high pulse means heart problem.Even anemia can cause high pulse rate.
Angiogram is an invasive test and theoretically has a number of risks however practically its a very safe test if done by experts.
Cramping in feet is most likely related to your calcium and vitamin D levels so get them checked.
For eyes please contact an opthalmologist as they could give you a better idea.
Thanks.
Follow up answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
CRP is just a indicator of future risk of cardiac disease and is not a very sensitive test.No,none of the tests mentioned by you including calcium score is very sensitive or reliable.
Pulse can be high due to dehydration,Anxiety ,stress and a number of factors.Its not necessary that high pulse means heart problem.Even anemia can cause high pulse rate.
Angiogram is an invasive test and theoretically has a number of risks however practically its a very safe test if done by experts.
Cramping in feet is most likely related to your calcium and vitamin D levels so get them checked.
For eyes please contact an opthalmologist as they could give you a better idea.
Thanks.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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