I suspect I have POTS rather than a heart condition or problem of any kind. I am waiting to get a heart monitor fitted after I ended up in A&E a few weeks ago with very high tachycardia and high blood pressure and chest pains. I had a couple of ECGs that were abnormal but I don't know abnormal in what way. The next day when I went back to the hospital as requested for further tests the ECGs were normal (I think).
I have been having chest pains on and off for a long while now but for the last 2 days I have had a constant ache in my chest and the sensation that something is pressing on it. I am not feeling very well at all and my BP monitor is now showing an irregular heartbeat several times a day whereas before it was only picking something up once every few days.
Do I need to just be patient and wait for this heart monitor (I was told it would be done urgently but 8 weeks on I am still waiting) or should this new continuous ache and irregular heartbeat be something I need to be doing something about straight away?
Thank you for any advice.
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PurpleNel
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12 Replies
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Dear PurpleNel
So sorry that you still have no real answers to your problems, but it does seem that they {NHS } seem to be testing you slowly but surely.
Untill you have answers from your tests it is very difficult to advice you on your condition.
One thing that stands out and please remember that I am not medically trained, is the fact that you haven’t { or you haven’t said } that you have been prescribed a GTN spray that may or may not help that tightness and ache in your chest.
It maybe something to ask about, unless that your ECGs were so normal that they felt you didn’t need one, which by your description of your feelings is very odd as they are classic standard feelings of maybe a heart problem.
Many things can mimic these feeling, tummy problems are another, but these are things for your GP to answer.
I feel for you as I personally think that the unknown is the worst bit, it will work out for you, we are here to help.
Thank you so much for your kind and supportive words. Have never heard of that GTN spray so no, I don't have that.I had become very resigned to the wait and to hold on for the tests but I think it was the much more frequent/daily showing of an irregular heartbeat combined with the new 24/7 aching that raised my concerns again as that is new. Before it came and went. I wasn't sure if they were signs of something getting worse or needing addressing straight away.
My episodes of tachycardia on standing and with the slightest exertion (which I think are POTS?) have been very full-on the last couple of days so perhaps my poor heart is just aching from having worked so hard recently.
Hi purplenel. I personally feel if you have symptoms that are not normal for you them the red flag goes up. I would advise you to inform your GP asap (after Easter now I guess) or if not 111. I hope you have some answers to your uncertainty soon x
Thank you so much for your words and wishes. Think I will ring the GP next week if everything continues like this. I do feel this is a bit of a red flag moment for me but worried I was being over-dramatic so your answer really helps. These communities are like gold dust - strangers rooting for each other and giving time.
No way are you being over dramatic but instead you are listening to your body and are realising that something is wrong, and judging only on the symptoms you are presenting it would ring a bell with me as well.
The GTN spray, Glyceryl Trinitate, may help you with those symptoms as it did me, you can just buy one over the counter and as long as you follow the instructions I can only see it helping you or doing nothing.
Please go and speak to your pharmacist and explain what you have to us, they will explain not only how the spray works {relaxing} but how to use it.
It is a long time till Tuesday but please if you feel any worse or are worried then contact 111 or drop into your A&E center.
Thank you for the info on the GTN spray - will be getting me some of that.And thank you for your reassurance re the over dramatic side of things - it really does mean a lot.
Bless all of you for your kind words and support. I can't tell you what they mean to me. This is feeling like a veeeeery long weekend. My chest pains are definitely a little better today which I was so pleased about.But just to set me off fretting again - I have today received copies of the ECGs I had taken when I was at the hospital as a private cardiologist I am hoping to see wants them.
The notes on the abnormal ECGs say things like - 'ACUTE MI/ISCHEMIA' and 'widespread ST abnormality suggests myocardial injury/ischemia' and 'possible left atrial abnormality'
I don't know what ANY of that means but it doesn't sound good.
I am clinging onto words like 'suggest' (which suggests maybe not as well as maybe) and 'possible' (which also leaves room for perhaps it isn't after all).
Also very positive is that several hours later and after something called bisoprolol the ECG taken was normal.
Thank you for letting me share this with you. I already feel better just writing it out!!
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