Hi everyone, im new here, and have a question. For the past couple of weeks, I have had very cold hands and feet, and my fingers have been white from the middle of the knuckle to the tips. I had a hysterectomy about 8 years ago, and I am always hot and or have hot flashes, never cold, until now. I have also had aching and leg cramps from my knees to my feet, worse when I lay down or put my feet up. Then the past two days, I have had intermittent throbbing pain in the left side of my chest and my left arm. I saw my doctor today, and he did an ekg and a cardiac panel. the blood work came back looking okay, my ekg said possible left atrial enlargement and possible mild infarction. He sent it off to the cardiologist who said it was nothing. My doctor said he will send me for a treadmill stress test. Should I look for a second opionion about the ekg? Why would it say one thing, but the cardiologist just blows it off like it is nothing? Has anyone had similiar symptoms like I have, or experience your test saying one thing and your doctor saying another? Thank you for any advice ...
Kris
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second opinion?
- By treehugger68
- Posted October 7, 2009 at 11:55 pm · 6 replies
- In Experiences with healthcare professionals
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Heart disease Surgery Hysterectomy Pain Heart attack Stent Bypass surgery Stress
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- By gracie62
- Posted October 8, 2009 at 9:52 am
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Kris:
I was 39 when I developed symptoms of heart disease. I was sent home repeatedly being told my tests were normal and there was nothing wrong with me. I passed a stress test only to end up back in the ER 2 days later demanding a heart cath because I knew something was very wrong. They found a 98% blockage of the LAD (stented) and I was told I had been a walking time bomb. I was so angry. I had gone home and taken my daughters back to school shopping and cut grass in 100 + temps after being told my tests were normal.
I received my second stent at age 40 and at 41 I had emergency triple bypass surgery, followed 18 days later by a heart attack. I always passed EKGs, I always had normal blood work. On paper, I am healthy. It is not until they get into my arteries in the cath lab that they see what is really going on. I tell you my story not to scare you. Just please, please, please listen to your inner voice. If you continue having symptoms and your inner voice tells you something is not right, listen to that voice. Mine saved my life time and again. I had to demand each cath that led to the interventions that saved my life. Even when I needed surgery, I was told since I had a clear cath in June and a negative Cardiolite stress test in August, there was no way I had new blockages. They were very, very wrong and it almost cost me my life. That cath resulted in emergency triple bypass.
As far as your EKG showing a possible " mild infarction", that means possible mild heart attack. Some people have silent heart attacks that are only seen later on an EKG. What one doctor interprets as something, another may see nothing. However, with your symptoms, I would definitely find another cardiologist for a complete work up including a new EKG, etc.
Again, I am not trying to scare you. But there is a statisic that in 2/3 of women with heart disease the first symptom is death. Those of us in that lucky 33% that are living with heart disease listened to the signals our bodies were sending out. Until your symptoms are under control and you are comfortable that you have received reasonable answers and treatment, please pursue this.
Take care and stay in touch and let us know how you are doing -
Dianna
- By Asurvivor
- Posted October 8, 2009 at 2:36 pm
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Hello Treehugger
I would get a second opinion. It's true there are silent heart attacks and if you had one, it's best to get yourself to a cardiologist of your choice. The new machines today tell the doctor what has gone on or is going on with your EKG. It will read out on top and say old MI and LAE. If it was an old infarct, there's nothing he can do anyway. Then again the leads might have been slightly off placement on your chest. That would throw off a normal EKG. A good cardiologist would have seen you in person.
As far as cold hands, legs and feet, what did the doctor say about that???
- By scarlettsmommy
- Posted October 8, 2009 at 2:50 pm
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Diana said the magic words... "Listen to your inner voice".
I very much believe, as said above - a concerned cardiologist would have wanted to examine you themselves and do another EKG at minimum.
I went to the cardiologist myself yesterday thinking I possibly had a mini-heart attack (lasted 1 second, literally) while working out... in hindsight - it was most likely gas... but it eased my mind going in to see my doc.
Sending you lots of hugs...
Judi
- By Linda_RS
- Posted October 8, 2009 at 9:04 pm
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I wish there was a way to distinguish "gas" from heart problems. I am sensitive to every chest pain. While I had heart problems, I have also gone to the hospital and told to take a couple of Tums. I am not sorry that I went, just would like to be able to tell the difference.
Regarding cold hands, I have been cold since April 23. The date of my event. I instantly lost a lot of weight and have been cold since. The doctors tell me it is "normal". I wear sweats a lot now.
- By martzj
- Posted October 9, 2009 at 2:44 pm
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Hi Linda RS,
Your sudden weight loss should have been a big red flag to your doctors. Has your thyroid been checked? Sudden sensitivity to cold, weight loss can be classic thyroid issues. Medication helps it rebalance. The coldness may also indicate estrogen dominance. I would advise you to definitely see another doctor and maybe a rheumatologist to rule out autoimmune stuff.
Cold hands and pains the way you decribe them meant major heart attack for me by 41. The cold hands are also part of Reynaud's syndrome, something I inherited in the way of vascular wierdness. It normally only gets bad during winter months.
Hope you get some answers and relief soon,
Jaynie
- By treehugger68
- Posted October 9, 2009 at 4:21 pm
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Thanks for all the good info. I went to Urgent care last night because I wanted someone to do a better workup. they did another ekg, a chest xray and a ct of my chest and lungs to rule out a blood clot. Everything came back negative. However he did say that my d dimer that was negative and with in range at the first of september was in the abnormal range now, and 200 points higher. thats why he did the ct and ruled out a blood clot in my lung. However, there is still no answer, and he was not concerned really about the abnormal d dimer. I am following up with my regular doctor today to get more info on the d dimer test. Thanks for all of your input. GUess I need to see House to get it figured out ! :o)
Thanks ladies
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