Heart Squeezing & Repeat A&E visits

[Laurab101]

Hi

I am hoping the someone else may have experienced similar symptoms to myself.

It started last November with a distinct buzzing sensation left side chest to the point where I called 111 & spoke a to a Cardiologist. A few months on and now had 6 trips to A&E with a persistent heart squeezing pain that worsens into my left arm and shoulder blade.

My 24hr ECG showed incidents of 4 beat salvos but nothing excessive - although during one admittance the medical team Watched my t-shirt moving with my heart vibration.

Valve scan showed some damage on the left side but 'nothing noteworthy'.

ECG's are showing ok & nothing in bloods.

I have been having a persistent heart squeezing pain on the left side of my heart. It can come on when moving around, but it can also commence whilst sitting and/or upon waking. If accompanied by palpitations it will last for a number of days leaving a sensation as though my heart has been strained.

I am now on Bisprodol 25mg and as my cholesterol is 6.9 some statins. A CT calcium scan is planned. GT spray normally works but did not during my last episode - last week.

i feel that I cannot keep ending up in the emergency department with no further progress. Anyone been in a similar situation?

[Hidden]

Dear Laurab101

A warm welcome to the forum that we hope you find as informative and supportive as many of us do.

I am sorry to say that I have not been in your situation and as I am not medically trained it is very difficult for me to answer your post.

But whatever is happening is not normal for you and has to be deeper investigated and if the only response you can get is from A&E then so be it as the worry must be awful for you.

You are not wasting anyones time and so far their investigations have thrown up a few things that you could develop on with your GP.

You need answers that can only be given by the medical profession, now armed with your results to date I would approach your GP to find out what the next stage is.

Take care and please keep us informed.

[Captain_Birdseye]

Hi Laurab101,

This obviously comes with the caveat of I'm not medically trained - however I've possibly had something similar recently... or at least I think it sounds similar.

I feel pain/discomfort around my left chest which I also feel in my left arm/hand and left shoulder blade. Sometimes it feels like there's a flutter, but my HR doesn't show it. There is no pattern with whether I'm active or sitting, but sometimes sitting forward helps a little. The GTN spray doesn't really relieve it, but sometimes find a heat pad with paracetamol will ease it for a bit.

I was originally diagnosed with suspected myocarditis a few weeks back, which seems to have developed to pericarditis according to the cardiologist. My echo and ECGs were "unremarkable". Another caveat... I'm still waiting on scan results (CT and MRI) to confirm this diagnosis.

Its good you've a CT coming up, but definitely keep at the doctors for this. It might be worth investigating if there's any inflammation present.

Can totally understand the reluctance to hold off when you feel there's no movement, but It's always worth getting checked out. And it's not wasting anyone's time... the NHS staff always say it's better to go get yourself seen to.

Take care of yourself, and let us know how you get on 😊

[Laurab101 in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

Hi. Thanks so much for your reply. I too have found that a dose of paracetamol can ease things but doesn't clear it entirely.

It's nice to know I'm not the only one with this set of symptoms. When it's all going well you do question your own sanity/sensations until it starts up again! I look forward to hearing your own progress. Take care. Laura