I’m feeling slightly fraudulent posting on here as I haven’t been diagnosed with a heart complaint but I wondered if my symptoms/experience resonated with anyone.
I had 3 attacks of acute stridor (upper airway blockage) one week in November. I attended hospital for the first two and they were put down to sleep apnea - which I had just been diagnosed with.
Since then I’ve suffered repeated bouts of breathlessness which happen every week. In the last month or so I’ve started to suffer crushing tiredness, I’m finding my office job a struggle and often have to lie down when I get home. The slightest effort makes me sweat profusely so I’ve taken to wearing one of those fans that fits around your neck.
I’ve had episodes of sharp pain in my upper left back that often radiates to the front plus in the last two weeks twinges of sharp tummy pain that moves up and down my left side.
The worst thing is waking up in the middle of the night feeling like I’ve been choked. My whole upper chest is tight and feels like it’s weighed down with lead. It’s difficult to breathe.
I’ve been to my gp several times and have been told these symptoms are caused by the sleep apnea - but I use a CPAP machine at night. I also went to A & E one night - they took my blood pressure and because it was ok told me it was a panic attack.
I’ve finally got a gp to do a blood test but I’m really feeling extremely poorly and wondering why the doctors aren’t taking it more seriously.
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Repunzel1972
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Whilst you currently have no diagnosed heart condition there are worrying things in your post that suggest you may head this way. Sorry to be personal but may I ask your BMI (you don't have to answer). The sleep apnea and sweating on exertion suggest you are. Losing excess weight can help these issues and may prevent the development of other issues like hypertension and Type II diabetes.
As a peer-to-peer support group no one here can diagnose your issues. Working with your GP is the best option.
Michael jh,How insulting!!! Not everyone who has heart issues is overweight!!?? I find it so disappointing that you have instantly jumped to this conclusion!!! There are MANY different reasons for people suffering from heart conditions, and yes, health and life style are major contributors, but they are not the only ones!! I take it from your rude remark that you are a slim person??
in reply to
I didn't read the same as you have in MichaelJH's reply, I though that he diplomatically asked some very relevant questions.
Sorry you see it that way @Doora. I did not want to jump to conclusions but was trying to get more background. Was it insulting when I said to a Type II diabetic the other day "Should you be putting sugar in your tea?!"
BTW I am not particularly slim as my BMI has crept up to 26.5!
Hi my problems ‘started’ with a heart attack in 2019 and at the time I felt it came out of the blue, but with hindsight there were things like sleep apnoea that could have been warning signs. My BMI at that point was creeping up towards 30. So don’t feel fraudulent, from my experience it’s sensible to consider the possibility. Have you had any blood tests done?
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