Ongoing Chest Pain

ashred…...when someone presents at an ER with chest pains, shortness of breath and an elevated BP, protocol would dictate that the first thing that needs doing is ruling in or out if that patient is having a heart attack. Did they at least do that while you were under the care of the ER team? What tests did they actually do to rule out a serious cardiac event in progress? That you went back two more times with the same symptoms and both of those times you were again sent home is astonishing to me. Was the echo tech not there EVERY time you went in? Were you not seen immediately by the cardiologist on call? I am obviously not a doctor, but from the information you've given us, I find the apparent lack of care you were given unacceptable. Your symptoms, along with the massive amount of anxiety you must have been feeling should have, at the very least, gotten you admitted for observation. I feel like we don't know the whole story, so we are left being the "Monday morning quarterbacks," but if I were you, I would be angry at the apparent lackadaisical approach which your problem is being handled. You stated that...…"I had chest pain for 6 hours straight laying down yesterday. Its getting worse especially the shortness of breath. They have me on exercise restriction. Its just frustrating I'm in pain and cant do anything I have a 6 year old and a 60 hour a week job I cant live like this." I would strongly urge you to call your GP immediately, I don't care what time of day or night it is and inform him/her that your situation is getting worse....that you are virtually incapable of taking care of your child and NEED HELP! If THAT doesn't get your GP off their rear end and GET YOU THAT HELP......then call 911. I'm sorry if I sound like an alarmist and I don't mean to scare you, but your symptoms are serious, they are getting worse and you need medical attention now! For your doctor to tell you that you just need to hang on until the 12th is some of the worst medical advice I have ever heard. I hope when all of this has been resolved you begin putting together a new team of caregivers. I wish you the best outcome and hope you will keep us informed.

I'm sure ER protocol in every hospital is the same. If a person presents with chest pain, SOB etc..they are seen immediately. A blood test is done and it is determined whether there are signs of a heart attack.
You say you work a 60 hour week...could it be stress if cardiac issues are ruled out? Does the pain 'move'...radiate from the chest? Is it constant in intensity? What did the doctor tell you he thinks your problem is?

once the ER finds u not dying they kinda thru with u and pass u along to somebody else. Been dealing with this for years. Have chronic vertigo and dizziness that nobody can seem to find out where its coming from. Very dibiliating. Been to everybody and had every tests. Still no answers but have u noticed the word ANXIETY always finds its way into the conversation. Well of cource theres anxiety im sick and hurting and nobody can figure it out. DUH!!!!! My chests pain is generally from Costochondritis. That along with acid reflux and gallbladder disease can mimic heart attack symptoms.

I remember being scared when I had (many years ago now) my first acid reflux attack: lots of chest pain. A cardiologist friend who suffers from acid reflux says the symptoms are similar to heart attack symptoms.
(Think gall bladder symptoms a little different. Often attacks strike late at night and into early hours of the morning often precipitated by ingestion of fatty foods and involving pain in the upper back and shoulder).

What did they do for you? I asked about AFib but cardio said it wasn't because holter came back fine. Is it just a lifestyle change or did they do more for you? This is still happening to me and it is miserable. Thank you.

trenee, did anything end up helping you? I am still having these issues, and am wondering if you've found anything to help you. My anxiety and insomnia is only relieved by massive fatigue that makes me sleep. Im convinced I will die in my sleep.

Okay, chest pain has been on going since 12 this afternoon. My left leg has
a big bright blue spot on it it hurts. Im so dizzy have a headache and feel nauseous. Im so tired I have the heart monitor on till June 28th. My primary doctor said from my ekg 2 weeks ago that it could be a blockage and circled it on the paper. She then said we just need to wait till the 10th for your stress test. Im not gonna make it through that ugh.....They did not give me anything to lower blood pressure. They also did not give me beta blockers. I have fluid in left lung. They gave me antibiotics and said you have bronchitis. That was last friday. Im miserable made it through bartending today. Now at home hurting

I'm so with you! I have a heart monitor on till June 28th. I do stress test on Monday...which I dont think I'm gonna make it through that test without passing out. Ya my left breast has been hurting now as well. Anything I do I'm out of breath. I then finally see a cardiologist on the 12th. Its been hell just wait oh wait. Just relax take asprin. Its just an anxiety attack....I'm like excuse me!! I had chronic pain for 5 years and didn't take anxiety meds and went to counseling. It ended up being endo in my uterus. I dont have that or my cervix/tubes. If you feel bad you should go in Im rhinking I should I don't think I can make it till Monday.

The not knowing is miserable. I've been to the ER multiple times, and every time they tell me there is nothing wrong and I need to follow up with cardio. Again, they can't find anything and tell me nothing is wrong. Ive been put on anxiety medicine, and if I take it, I get more anxiety that it is going to hurt my heart. Miserable.

Im so sorry I feel you it is absolutely miserable. I tried an anxiety med and none of the pain went away. It just made it worse.