Hi, I am 35(M), I have been referred to a cardiology clinic due to repeated episodes of chest pain and heart palpitations.
I've had heart palpitations since I was a child so have never worried about them, although they are probably worse now and I now get heart palpitations that make me cough unexpectedly which is fairly new. I only started getting chest pain when I was put on Clarithromycin, the pain was horrendous on that (and heart rate was around 115) but has improved since minus a couple of episodes. My resting heart rate has gone up in the past month or two, it used to be a consistent 60bpm and is now 82-90, again this doesn't worry me overly as it could have done this is the past but I wasn't wearing an Apple Watch so I wouldn't have known! I would say that I am struggling with getting short of breath far more easily than I used to, but I am older than I used to be, so again could be nothing. My Nan had several strokes and suffered from blood clots all her young and older adult life, my Grandfather died of a heart attack in his 60s and my Mum had a heart attack in her 40s which then makes me wonder if I'm being too blasé about the situation, but I think there are reasonable non-heart problem reasons for my symptoms.
Has anyone else had similar and it all been fine, or did it turn out to be something to be concerned about?
Should I ask to see a cardiologist?
Should I feel better by now?
Should I have a flu injection?
Concern
frustrated and concerned
Hi and welcome
Obviously nobody here is going to be able to diagnose you but, from what you've described, getting it properly checked is absolutely the right thing to do.
Certainly, with family history and your symptoms, there's a better than evens chance that there's some sort of cardiac involvement. The good news is that it's being investigated BEFORE any sort of "event" happens.
That means that, if they do find anything, you have a much better chance of being "cured" than if they only discover it after a blue light ride.
No doubt someone will point out that heart problems "can't be cured", which is technically true, hence the quote marks around it.
My way of looking at it, though, is if it's successfully managed to the point where you can live a normal life, of a normal length, doing normal things, then the difference between that and "curing" someone is splitting academic hairs.
Thank you, that does make sense to be honest. It is better to catch it early and sort it than wait for something to potentially happen down the line.
Exactly that.
I had high cholesterol picked up around 2010 along with some "odd" chest sensations & had a calcium score done. They prescribed statins which I took for about 3 months then couldn't be bothered.
In 2018 I had a heart attack. Lesson learnt!
That sounds awful, are you doing better now?
I struggle to sort health issues so I can empathise but not on the same level, I should take Topiramate for IIH but I stopped taking that a couple of months ago as it affected my mood badly, I should really contact my neurologist before things deteriorate though. I'm very sorry you went through what you did, but thank you for sharing as it has encouraged me to sort my own health out.
Thank you again!
I was really lucky that the attack was "mild" (as far as a heart attack ever is!) So basically it was the wake-up call that the previous tests should have been. Certainly the second most scary medical event I've ever had (or want to have!)
One stent later and throwing myself back into exercise again, I'm now sprint training with teenagers - and even keeping up some of the time!) Also just got my first selection to triple jump (and reserve for the 4x200m relay) for Welsh Masters against the English in about 3 weeks time 😁
Like I said, I was lucky but would have been better to get it sorted before because it could have been a whole lot worse!
That's amazing that you are doing so well. I don't think I could have ever done sprinting, even at my fittest!! Good luck with your triple jump, and thank you for your advice
I could never run distance, even as a youngster. Well, I could but I was SLOWWWWW! 😁
Ha ha! That's still better than me, I have always been useless at both of them!
The problem is that at your young age you think you are immortal and are consequently being very blase about your situation. It does need checking out thoroughly and if an appt isn't made soon then chase it, don't let it slide.
Are there any lifestyle changes you know you ought to make? Overweight? Too much drink? too many takeaways? Too little exercise? Dealing with those will help. Good luck, but be proactive.
Thank you for your reply. You are right, I’ve told myself I should be fine because of my age so it’s not that likely, but I shouldn’t treat it like a guarantee. My diet and exercise need to change. I’m heavier than I should be, but I am trying to work on that. I’m not much of a drinker and have quit smoking which will hopefully count in my favour.
Firstly, you have been exemplary in the way you have replied to so many people. Many of those who pose questions don't interact.
So, when is your diet and exercise going to change and have you set a target weight?
Incidentally most harm comes from fat around the stomach-there are many articles on this and how to measure your waist properly. I was shocked to discover how much larger my REAL waist size is compared to my trouser size!
You don't have to be religious to think that Lent is a very good time to try to cut out things you shouldn't be doing.
I think if someone takes the time to reply to my question then it is no trouble for me to reply to them! I'm very appreciative of the fact anyone would take time out of their day to reply to me.
I have a large waist (53in), I'm short and most of my weight is carried there. I think I had managed to deny how big I am as my jeans can button up, but they sit around my hips in reality but my jeans are only 38in. The difference was a shock to me too, I'd bought a belt the same size as my jeans but I couldn't get the two ends of the belt to even get close to meeting around me, let alone fasten it, hence me taking measurements and weights. I can't bring myself to return the belt as it is too embarrassing to ask for the size I actually need, I honestly can't believe how stupid I am for not realising just how big I am.
Every day I say I'll improve tomorrow and I'll get motivated and feel up to it, and then the day comes and I'll feel starving, I'll get shaky and feel dizzy and I end up eating something to feel physically better, but an hour or so later I feel shaky and clammy and need something else to feel not seriously unwell. Then in the evenings I feel so low that I binge eat, I hate it, I don't enjoy the food, it makes me feel ill and then I feel ashamed of myself. Then I vow to be better tomorrow and I fail again. I need to be better though, I cannot keep going like this or it will just keep getting harder.
I want to get down to around 55kg, which is 49kg that I need to lose. I tend to get very regimented and restrict my food too intensely when I diet so I also don't want to fall down that road, but I would probably want to do alternate day fasting and low carb as they've worked in the past and I think being extreme about food type may help me not be extreme with calorie restriction.
When does Lent begin? That sounds like a good plan to be honest, it gives me more of a structure to focus on if that makes sense?
A 38 inch waist sounds fine doesn't it, but when the reality is completely different it shows too many of us are deluding ourselves! Having a structure to change makes perfect sense.
This year Shrove tuesday is tuesday 21st February when people traditionally ate their last celebratory big meal before the start of more abstinence starting with Lent on Wed 22 feb . Shrove tuesday became 'pancake day.
Lent ends on 8th April this year. So it is a sufficient time to lay the foundations of a really big change. I don't know your weaknesses but rather than a strict diet i tend to try to cut out foods beginning with 'C' in order to have an easy theme that covers a wide variety of foods.
Crisps, Chips, Cookies (biscuits) Cake, Chocolate, Cheese, Croissant, Cheese straws and Coffee. I am not a saint so with some I cut down rather than completely cut out or consume only at the weekend. It sounds as if you also need to give yourself a little bit of leeway as well otherwise you will break the diet very early on. Alternate day may be a plan but it does mean you then go a day without food so then might binge the next. Don't know if you have someone you can diet with or could join a local group to spur yourself on?
As you can see many of these things are high in fat and calories and salt. To keep the C theme you might cut out 'carry outs' or as we more term them 'take away's' (which includes deliveries.
I am sure we will all be interested to hear on this forum what you decide to do and whether it is working and can give encouragement.
I am not saying all your health problems will disappear and you might want to run your plans past your GP who might advise a more balanced eating plan, but it is clear you need to make some drastic changes and your weight, eating habits, waist size are central to your future health. You are far too young with too much to look forward to, to carry on as you have been.
I forgot to mention that you might find it useful to keep a very detailed food/drink diary for a week prior to possibly using Lent as a catalyst for change so you can identify what particular weaknesses you have that need curtailing.
If one of those weaknesses is eating fruit I think we can excuse that, but you might find crisps, chips, chocolate and take away's for example play far too large a part in your daily diet. Putting it all down in a physical notebook might have more visual impact than hiding the information on your phone.