Unconfirmed Heart Problems

[yjmskyi]

Hello everyone, it is my first time writing here.

I have been frustrated by some unexplained heart related symptoms and would like to ask about some opinions/suggestions.

The combination of these symptoms firstly appeared last year when I felt palpitations and very strong pulse throughout my body. Then during this year I had two episodes of feeling of tightness over my chest. Since last month I have been suffering from pain at my upper left back which has extended to my left shoulder and left part of my neck. I also have episodes of palpitation every week and an unexplained pulsating sensation throughout my body (I can feel my body shaking with heartbeat all the time).

I did one ECG and another 48hr ech tape which all appeared normal. My gp thinks at my age (I am 22) it is unlikely that I have serious conditions.

However I cannot ignore these symptoms which have lowered my energy level and quality of life. Has anyone experienced these symptoms before and how were they dealt with? Should I persuade my gp to order more advanced tests such as CTA or cardiac MRI?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts/suggestions.

[Sunnie2day]

Actually, you should ask your GP to refer you to the Rapid Access Chest Pain (RACP) unit where you'll be assessed and tests/investigations ordered from there.

You are describing multiple heart symptoms including chest pain (tightness, pain originating on your left side with the pain radiating from your back to jaw and shoulder).

When I reported similar I was referred to the RACP unit 'with urgency' and 2+years on Life is relatively back to normal for me.

I have (among other things) been diagnosed after investigation as having presumed microvascular angina (MVA) - and trust me it never showed up on ECGs and that's just one example - at the same time the MVA was making an appearance I was in the middle of an ultra acute flare of recurrent pericarditis, also a condition that doesn't always show up on an ECG.

Everyone is different and the only way to definitively rule out heart problems no matter how old you are and/or if you're female (females of any age are often dismissed when reporting heart symptoms) is through comprehensive investigations, usually and most effectively through a RACP unit.

Do not allow your GP to fob you off with 'oh, you're too young to have heart problems'. Push your GP, insist if you have to on the referral to RACP. Many heart conditions are very hard to find on an ECG, even a 48hr one.

[yjmskyi in reply to Sunnie2day]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I think it is quite fortunate that you were referred to further care promptly. Both my gp and a private specialist I visited had this thought that at my age and given the normal ecg results nothing serious is shown. I shall take your advice and urge my gp to refer me to RACP if possible.

Again, much appreciation for your help.

[Sunnie2day in reply to yjmskyi]

Please keep us updated.

[mathematics]

My husband was only 44 when he had his first heart attack and was having symptoms before hand although nothing was showing up when we would turn up at a and e mostly. I would keep pushing. My husband had a private consultation recently and has been booked in for a heart scan next week. He is still waiting for an angiogram. The symptoms you are describing are very similar to my husband's problems. Take care and keep nagging. We do not have an RACP unit in our area unfortunately due to covid 19 our area is very behind my husband is going to another health board to be seen.

[Fullofheart]

I have had AF since late 20s. Took a lot of effort and a long time of being unwell before getting it confirmed. As a young woman, I was fobbed off A LOT! I had most of the symptoms you are describing but they could also be a lot of other things. The trick is to not worry unduly whilst also being assertive. Your heart health is very important but so too is your state of mind so try not to get preoccupied with it, whilst also pushing forward to get a proper assessment. Wishing you well. 🌸

[Superhans]

Hi Yjmski,

I had very similar symptoms to what you described a few years ago…… I was having several bouts of palpitations per day, skipped beats, hearing my heart beat in my ear, tingling / vibrating sensation over my body, the sensation that I could feel the blood whooshing through my arteries, chest pain and twitching muscles. I went to the ER several times and was kept over night every time. I had a 7 day tape, ECG, ultrasound, treadmill test, & MRI all over the course of a few months. My quality of life diminished, and I was feeling hopeless as a young guy in my 20s. Every test I had came back normal, I even started taking magnesium supplements bc I was convinced something serious was wrong. Turns out it was all severe anxiety, and I only realised that after reading an article on this forum regarding the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. To me it sounds very similar to what I experienced.

If you’ve had a big life changing moment lately, stress or even a viral infection it can all trigger these symptoms months down the line.

Please try not get caught up on all the bad things it might be and focus on the positives.

[AdamJames157]

Sounds like you have aortic regurgitation. I hope you got checked. ECG does show changes but these are usually much later on like in my present situation.

[yjmskyi in reply to AdamJames157]

Hi Adam, many thanks for your reply.Is this a condition with heart valve? I did a echo scan also MRI which all appeared normal.

[AdamJames157 in reply to yjmskyi]

Yes. If you’ve had an MRI and it’s clear than you should be fine.

[AdamJames157]

What did you have ?