Heart muscle thickness.

I had to go to A and E today because of chest pains this morning. They said that the thickness of the heart muscle was slightly above the upper limit of 14 at 16 (I don't know what the unit is). When I asked what this meant, they said it could be angina "in view of your other symptoms", or it could indicate I had had an infection (not sure of what). I have to wait until May to go to the Chest Pain clinic to get a definitive diagnosis. I'm a bit concerned about the prospect of angina on top of AF. Does anyone know anything about the heart muscle blood test?

[BobD Volunteer]

I'm no expert but thought that this was a common enough side effect of uncontrolled AF. Can't see how it links to angina which results from restriction of the blood supply to the heart muscle as far as I know. I presume they measured this with an echocardiogram?

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

They did two ECGs. They said that one showed AF which I thought odd as I would have almost certainly noticed it. When I queried this they changed it to "some ectopics" i.e. not AF. This seemed strange as surely they could tell the difference? The heart muscle test (they didn't say what it was called) was a blood test result. They said mine was 16, when the upper limit was 14. When I asked how high it could be if I had a heart attack they said "hundreds, even thousands". They said my result could indicate angina or that I had had an infection (not sure of what) or something else unspecified. They discharged me and said the chest pain clinic would diagnose.

All this followed unusual chest and back pains this morning. I sent a couple of 6L Kardias to Bart's cardiac nurses. They showed it to a registrar who said I must go to hospital via an ambulance. This was on the grounds that it was "significantly different" from one I had sent them at the end of March. The paramedics took an ECG in the ambulance and said it was ok, but agreed the Kardia showed a "slightly raised T segment " indicative of a "multiple conditions including angina." I'm going to post the ECG separately.

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

Your team were on the ball and you had really good care and advice but there needs to be more investigation to give you a definitive diagnosis and action plan.

Sounds like you had a Troponin test which tests for a protein in the blood which can indicate muscle damage which could be caused by AF. Normal range is below 14 so you are above the normal range, heart attack would show the much larger numbers. AF can cause this rise, along with many other conditions. I would think of this as a good thing that it was caught early because your team were on the ball and have referred you.

Nothing much more you can do until you get more information and it could be a low level infection so do all the usual things for infection, well hydrated, plenty of rest but do still keep moving.

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

Yes, you are right: it was a Troponin test; I recall that word being used. My concern at the moment is that, given the “cold” sensation which often morphs into a chest pain on walking a few hundred yards, this makes angina more likely than costochondritis which was the favoured explanation. When you refer to an infection what sort of infection would be applicable? I presume this doesn’t mean an infection of the heart. I had a chest x-ray which didn’t show a chest infection. The whole experience of going to A and E was not a good one- they didn’t give me a Covid test until I pointed out that I hadn’t had one, and there were lots of people wandering about with masks pulled down , not covering their noses.

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

Our hearts are so sensitive to any infection, even the mildest cold or tummy infection which you aren’t even aware of because you have no symptoms. When you have an infection you have inflammation which our hearts react to.

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

I am taking penicillin for a possible bladder infection and have had some stomach pain recently. I hope it’s that! Thanks for the replies.

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

More than likely but don’t hesitate to go to A&E or call ambulance if you feel ill or have chest pain. Same rule applies - clear liquids and rest.

[Jajarunner]

I've had mine measured by ultrasound many times. It all seems vague. I was told at various times (same scan) that it was enlarged/normal/fit heart. Later that it was enlarged but wouldn't be in three days time when the Intl Cardiology Society (or equiv) reviewed and altered their normal parameters. Since then been told it is enlarged but it's not important.No mention of angina though xx

[RoyMacDonald]

"When you refer to an infection what sort of infection would be applicable? I presume this doesn’t mean an infection of the heart. I had a chest x-ray which didn’t show a chest infection."

"I am taking penicillin for a possible bladder infection and have had some stomach pain recently."

Two contradictory statements there! Almost certainly that could be the cause of an irregular heart beat. (I'm not a doctor though)

I have a friend who thought he was having a stroke because his right arm started moving on it's own. Turned out to be a urine infection when he went to A&E.

All the best.

Roy

[Hidden in reply to RoyMacDonald]

Thanks for replying. It must have been alarming for your friend when his arm stared moving on its own!