Slight heart pain, but now often.

[DaveSpice]

Mild HA and 2 stents nearly 3 years ago. Since then intermittent heart pain suspected GERD related.

Recently though the mild heart pain, some may describe as "discomfort" has become more frequent and over the last 2 weeks, occurs 2 or 3, or more times a day, especially when going to bed. It can be eleviated using breathing, chewing gum and other stress reducing techniques, but ginger tea doesn't seem to work any more.

Before the HA never had GERD at all and my meds are 40mg atorvorstain and 100mg aspirin. No smoking, very little drink and a very good diet with no processed food, a little meat and fish, milk. bread. Currently 75kg 6ft, resonably fit for 70.

Seems also stress related, the primary cause of my HA in the first place IMO, but when I am washing up, gardening or doing something that requires very little thought, I am fine.

Anyone in the same boat, or have any ideas for this increasing GERD/stress related heart pain? Or how to determine whether my stomach has a too low ph, or the more the common, too high ph?

For the rest of you, have a happy and worry-free Xmas.

[EngineerB]

Sorry GERD is ?

[ChoochSiesta in reply to EngineerB]

Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

[DaveSpice in reply to EngineerB]

Gastric reflux.

[EngineerB]

As you never had the stomach problem prior to your stents and meds, might be worth having a chat with your GP about the meds maybe he could try you on some lansoprazol say about 15mg to take with your meds to help your stomach cope.

[DaveSpice in reply to EngineerB]

I had PPIs to begin with but came off them and have seen no change since. I also don't think GPs know much about my condition and just hand out drugs. Drugs treat symptoms the do not solve the problem and each drug has it's own side effects. I only take the statins and aspirins to prevent a rupture of the stenosis as my cholesterol is very low and always has been. This is all as a result of my discussions with top cardiologist Dr. Gupta of York Cardiology.

[pasigal]

I have the same GERD and anxiety related issues as you. There’s something interconnected between them, but I haven’t been able to get to the bottom of it. I’m not sure if it’s directly related to my heart, but like you it’s less noticeable when I’m focusing on a task etc…

[DaveSpice in reply to pasigal]

There is something called the Vegus Nerve that connects the two, plus the esophagus runs only a few mm away from the heart. Stress effects both the stomach and the heart, but I am trying to find out what causes the mild electric shock type discomfort and whether is is damaging. Also what happened during my stenting procedure or indeed HA attack that is causing this reaction now? Or whether it is the drugs and if so what I can change.

What do you do when you get one of these attacks?

[pasigal in reply to DaveSpice]

There isn't much to do. I just remind myself that it's likely GERD and shift positions until it eases somewhat...

[DaveSpice in reply to pasigal]

There is quite a lot you can do...gently exercise like waklking around, chewing gum and other destressing techniques all help. Stress makes GERD much worse and flexing the diaphram is good too (see Youtube). GERD isn't exactly harmless either it can damage the esophagus and even the heart in the long term, so managing it is important..