Is this "just my Asthma" or something else? A Cautionary Tale

Posted by Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn, Sep 28 4:36pm

Who knew?
I have had asthma and reactive airways for a very LONG time. It is successfully managed with Singulair and Symbicort.

Three years ago, I developed a more or less a constant feeling of pressure on my chest and shortness of breath on exertion. About the same time, my LDL cholesterol began to rise. I was sent to a cardiologist who thought his only task was to get me to take statins. He did no ECG, no echocardiogram, no CT heart scan - nothing -just showed me a chart and said "the protocol is a statin." So, I refused to take a statin and he "fired" me as a patient.

Over the past year at the insistence of my PCP I tried and failed 3 statins. The chest pressure has become more or less constant and I had more shortness of breath, day and night sweats and fatigue. Last month I was sent to a different cardiologist, reported the above to him - again no exam and no tests, showed me a chart and prescribed Repatha.

Three weeks ago, I came down with Covid, went to Urgent Care to get Paxlovid and the very sharp ARNP did not accept that the chest pressure was from my asthma. She did 12-lead ECG and spotted several anomalies that caused her to send me to the ER.

No, I didn't have a heart attack, but my chest pressure and SOB were NOT from my asthma. A heart CT was ordered, a moderate heart blockage was found. I have a new cardiologist who examined me, listened to me, explained my options and ordered more tests. I am taking two medications besides Repatha to try to stabilize the blockage and avoid surgery for stents, but it may be in my future.

After 2 weeks on the new meds, the chest pressure is gone, and my legs feel "lighter" - I might even try playing tag with my grandkids again.

Although I personally never had heart issues, there is a strong history on both sides of my family, including 2 grandparents, both parents and several siblings. All of this is in my medical records, to which every doctor has had access.

The moral of the story? If you have chest pressure and your asthma meds don't eliminate it, or if you have a family history of heart disease, consider a closer look at your heart.

I am very glad that Urgent Care provider had good instincts and told me what I had was not "typical" of asthma. And that she insisted on the very-much-unwanted trip to the ER that led to diagnosis.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Asthma & Allergy Support Group.

Christine | @thisoldewe | Sep 29 10:33am

Oh Sue, @sueinmn
I am horrified!!! Definitely the medical people dropped the ball big time. Yes, asthma and heart can muddy the waters, but thorough examination is required.
So thankful that you now have the doctors who are treating and understanding your condition. Listening is the first skill in any helpful circumstance; but often the last to be employed.
So glad that you are still with us! Take best care of yourself. You have been a treasure to so many here - including me!
Have a great day!
christine

pacathy | @pacathy | Oct 1 4:16am

I’m rather shocked by your treatment by those cardiologists. Thank goodness for that Urgent Care provider. I’m so glad you’re better!

jeanadair123 | @jeanadair123 | Oct 2 10:27am

It’s not just cardiologists. I had uterus cancer in 2009 in Texas, we returned to California in 2013. I went to 4 gynecologist oncologist everyone told me that there was only a 1% chance it would come back and their protocol was an examination no speculum. In a year I saw 4 specialists finally the last one I saw I insisted she said she would use one and was surprised when she found I had recurrence in my vaginal cuff. 38 radiations and 5 brachytherapy later. One has to be proactive if you want to survive in this world. Glad you are okay. Preservation. I should have added I have asthma but see a cardiologist also just for annual check ups and recently I just had a heart ultra sound.

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Oct 4 6:24pm

@sueinmn Sue, I am so glad you shared your story. As patients we get so used to living with symptoms that we associate to our known conditions such as asthma. Many conditions have overlapping symptoms and we make a mistake when we assume we know the cause because it can disguise another serious problem. When providers don't catch things as they should, we assume there is no issue.

I had a similar issue with what I thought was sinus pain because I had lots of allergies and sinus issues. I actually had a dental problem that was masked by sinus issues. I had failing root canals causing pain and because the roots of the teeth abut the sinuses, it felt like sinus pain which to me was normal. I realized it was a dental problem when there were soft spots in my hard palate because the bone was being eaten by an infection from the bad tooth. I called my dentist, and I was off to a procedure with an oral surgeon. Lesson learned.

Toni D. | @tcd518 | Oct 7 7:18am

Sue, this is indeed a cautionary tale! I'm so sorry you had to experience it and hope that you continue to feel stronger and breath easier. Best of luck with your new cardiologist.

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