Question: Have suffered multiple heart related symptoms w. sudden onset a few months. Cramps/ spasm pains in left chest comes and goes. Not exercise-related, not skeletal-muscular in nature. Also sudden onset of palpitations, short periods of tachycardia, in general feeling of vibrating/ unstable sensation i heartbeat. Fatigue, lightheaded,no energy, dizzy. A few episodes of confusion. Not accompanied by panic or anxiety apart from concern. Normal EKG and echo showed moderat mitral and triscupid leakage. Some days nearly symptom free, then back. Sudden onset of burning pins and needles sensation in right hand and fingers lasted 3 hours, not accompanied with hyperventilation or anxiety, not after pressure on nerve (i.e. after sleeping on arm). Am worried about heart health. Considering MS as cause, mother and sister diagnosed with ms. Female. Age 44. Slim build. No other known diseases (apart from gastrointestinal troubles) Blood pressure fine. Bloodwork fine. Some family history of heart disease (maternal grandfather died from stroke in his 50's and uncles on meds for high bloodpressure and cholesterol). Any tips or advice on how to investigate? What could cause this spectrum of symptoms? NOT interested in anxiety related diagnosis, if it should be anxiety related, there is no danger.

Hello and thank you for a clear and concise answer. I have already done a 24 hour halter, on an uneventful day, no XXXXXXX arythmias discovered, several palpitations shown. Also a stress test without any abnormal results. 7 months ago an abdominal ultrasound with no abnormal findings. Could my symptoms indicate variant angina? My mother suffered periodic heart cramps over many years, with weeks or months between episodes. She didn't drink or smoke, or use any medications until the far stages of multiple sclerosis. She was never examined for heart disease. My suspicions arose when I researched heart pains that occur at the same time several days, not really expecting to find any answers. I had been completely symptom free upon waking, after 4-5 hours at work, exactly same time several days in a row, severe spasm/ cramp feeling in heart. Lasting only seconds-minutes, disappeared after 5-10 minutes. No stress related incidents. Have been having these cramps at various times of the day too. They are not the type of pain connected with breathing in or out, which may easily feel heartrelated, and I have also felt many times without particular worry. All this is of course mere speculation based on assorted/ vague symptoms, but might they be indicative of Prinzmetals? And to exclude this, how should I go about when consulting my doctor, wishing to investigate this further. It seems that the diagnosism of variant angina can be quite elusive to conclude. Thanks!

Thank you for your reply. Though I feel tempted to clarify that these pains are not in any obvious way associated with food intake or meals. However I realise that there may still be links, considering the fact that I also have periodic gastrointestinal pains and bloating/ gas problems. Perhaps this avenue of inquiry may yield a few answers. However re. Prinzmetals circadian and periodic nature, I beg to differ based upon a multitude of sources i.e. Quote: "The temporal pattern of the rest angina warrants close consideration in evaluating these patients, both in relation to its waxing and waning nature and its distinct circadian rhythm. Variant angina may remain quiescent for prolonged periods and then recur with multiple frequent episodes. During these "hot phases", stimuli that would not usually provoke an episode of variant angina, may induce an episode. " (http://www.escardio.org/communities/councils/ccp/e-journal/volume11/Pages/variant-angina-John-Beltrame.aspx#.Uxt_Mfl5MU8) Quote 2: "Prinzmetal angina Definition This medical disorder is characterized by periodic cardiac chest pain and tightness. Medical experts describe this condition as “unstable angina” since it occurs only at rest and does not have a predictable pattern." (http://www.patienthelp.org/diseases-conditions/prinzmetal-angina.html) Thanks :)

One additional question. Could a Calsiumscore CT. scan show something the ultrasound didn't?