Cardiac symptoms or not?

[GCWhits]

Hi, I had a heart “episode “ ( 2 doctors said it was mild heart attack, 1 said he didn’t think so) in May and went into hospital. Had raised Troponin levels. Fortnight later had a loop recorder fitted. Now I’m being told that I didn’t have cardiac symptoms and it was most likely anxiety. This is not true, I’m one of the least anxious people you are ever likely to meet. Can anxiety raise Troponin levels? Has anyone else experienced anything similar.

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[Hatchjd]

It is hard to tell but best to be safe and go to A&E if you have symptoms. I thought I had indigestion following a large cream scone. I developed mild jaw tingling and heart rate in the 120’s unusual for me. My father and brother both had HA’s in their 30’s. I am a retired RN so went to A&E. EKG had non specific changes. Troponin was 10 on admission then rose to 13 four hours later, both in normal range but the doctor was suspicious of the rise. A treadmill stress test followed which was positive for CAD. An angio 3 days later ( kept in hospital over the weekend) showed 90% blockage of LAD and 80% LCX = 2 stents.

[GCWhits in reply to Hatchjd]

Thanks. My Troponin was first 27,rising to 57 after 3 hours. I thought that could only happen if there had some kind of injury to the heart. I know anxiety is real, but I wasn't aware it could cause Troponin to be released into the bloodstream?

[Hatchjd]

I was told any rise can indicate heart muscle injury and should be investigated. My EKG on the treadmill stress test showed changes consistent with CAD and ischemia and was stopped after 6 minutes. I had no chest pain or heart symptoms at all during the test and thought I was doing well 😳. Could you ask for a stress test?

[70blackhole]

Yes raised Troponin is supposed to be an indication of a heart attack

[Stobban]

Yea, Many moons ago I had an test, eventually, to find out what was giving me chest pains. During this test I'm doubly sure I had a mild heart attack and too I was given a small white pill for my heart to quell the painful spasm, plus the pain was horrendous. On seeing my GP weeks later he prescribed tranquilisers which I took for years and with his and the cardiologist ways of coming to a joint conclusion, I was told I was an anxious person by nature. Thus, the medication. Many years later after more chest pain I was diagnosed with Cardio Myopathy of which, seemingly, I've had since childhood. This all adds up to one thing, I was right after all. Good Luck.

[GCWhits]

Thanks. I am not an anxious person in general, nor was I experiencing any anxiety at the time of the episode. So I simply don't know what they are basing that on. Plus after the episode, they fitted me with a loop recorder. That suggests to me that they certainly thought it was cardiac at the time. Why they would take a different view now, I don't know. I feel like I'm being fobbed off and I'm not happy