I'm 41 and have a quick, sharp pain in the center of my chest. I can see it in my eyes, like the pulse of my heart, when it happens. It happens for a second. I usually feel crappy afterwards, but I go on with my day. I also get a quick squeezing sensation across my chest from time to time. After that I usually feel tired for a bit afterwards and lose my appetite. I have been having these symptoms on and off since I was in my 20s. I have gone to a cardiologist every year and they never find anything. They say it's not life-threatening. I get a lot of "pauses" and "skips" also, but I'm so used to those. Those don't scare me anymore, just that sharp pain and the tightness/tiredness. I don't know what to do or think at this point. Any thoughts if it is life-threatening/serious or not?
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Sharp Chest Pain
- By dcp23
- Posted October 11, 2009 at 12:59 pm · 4 replies
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- By gracie62
- Posted October 11, 2009 at 2:07 pm
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Please look up Prinzmetal's angina, also known as coronary artery spasms, also known as varient angina also known as vasospasms. A lot of ladies on this board have this supposedly rare condition. A lot of doctors aren't familiar with it and some don't even believe it can be a serious condition. Others, however, will treat based on symptoms alone. A heart cath is the only way to 100% diagnose the condition and then you have to get "lucky enough" to have the spasms happen while you are in the cath lab.
I have had Prinzmetal's for about 4 years now and mine has been seen on multiple caths. Once I got on the right calcium channel blocker (the gold standard in treatment) at the right dosage, I got my symptoms under control. My Prinzmetal's is not typical. I can get spasms at any time of the day or night no matter my activity level. My heart attack was caused in part by a spasm.
It might be worth looking up to see if any of your symptoms fit. Take care and welcome to WomenHeart.
Dianna
- By dcp23
- Posted October 11, 2009 at 2:10 pm
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Thank you for your response. Would I be able to get a 64 Slice instead of a cath? Will that show everything a cath does? Thanks
- By gracie62
- Posted October 11, 2009 at 2:30 pm
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I am not sure about the CT scan. For me, I have always had to have caths to show 100% what is going on inside my arteries. I am sure some of the other ladies will read your discussion and comment on the 64 slice scan.
- By Asurvivor
- Posted October 12, 2009 at 3:47 pm
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If you've had this 15 or 20 years, I doubt it's a heart attack. It sounds like gas. Gas is sharp pains. Heart is dull pain. like someone punched you in the sternum. Everyone gets premature beats and they are not fatal or life threatening unless you have runs (5 or more) of ventricular beats in a row. That can be life threatening, but not necessarily so if treated.
If every EKG you have had shows normal, don't worry about it. You see a cardiologist every year, why? Do you have something else going on to see a cardio? Most cardios won't just accept a patient every year anymore for a yearly exam unless there is an ongoing problem.
Sometimes we think every little twinge is something if we pay too much attention to our bodies. Most heart patient will tell you different, but I also am a heart patient. I have stopped paying so much attention and I feel better about not having a repeat heart attack.
Good luck.
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