Can anyone explain

[Buttermints]

Hi,On Tuesday of this week I was out with my husband having a relaxing drive to the beach. I began to feel uncomfortable. I had a pain in the middle of my stomach above my belly button. My ribcage felt like it was being crushed. I had to undo my bra to try and relieve some of the pressure. We stopped and my husband phoned 111. I then got pins and needles up my arms and legs and a sharp uncomfortable pain between my shoulder blades and a crushing sensation in my heart. An ambulance was notified and whilst we waited I had what I think were 4 little heart attacks. I was really scared and thought I would die.

The ambulance men gave me aspirin to chew paracetamol and sprayed something under my tongue. The monitored my pulse and heart. I was told I was A fib and that I needed to go to A&E.

When I got to A&E my pulse and heart were monitored. I was still A fib ( about 1 to 1 1/2 hours after the ambulance arrived).

I had a troponin blood test which came back as level 1 I think. I was told a heart attack measures 14 or above. They did a chest x-ray also. A&E were very busy and I was kept in a bed in the corridor. After 13 hours no one was really telling me anything and I said I felt exhausted and wanted to go home. The A&E nurse took more blood and had someone check my pulse. Another person was there from the Cardiac ward and said they had a bed for me, but the nurse in A & E said I could go home as my results were fine. She didn't explain what fine was or what to do next.

I telephoned my GP surgery yesterday (Friday) to ask had a letter arrived from A&E and as the answer was yes, I asked had a doctor looked at my notes. No, was the answer. I asked could I have an appointment to see the doctor and was told to phone early every day next week and I may get an appointment that way. Since Tuesday I have felt exhausted. My heart muscle hurts along with a lot of pressure between my shoulder blades. All of this pain is permanently there.

Can anyone tell me if they've had a similar thing happen to them and if so do they know what may have happened to me.

Thanks.

P.S I am 59. Don't smoke or drink. Am a women who is slightly overweight with no previous heart problems. However my dad died of an aeortic aneurysm aged 60 and my mum had angina ( smoker) and died aged 67 of heart failure.

[bluemoon572]

Since uncomplicated atrial fibrillation causes palpitations&sometimes shortness of breath but usually not chest pain, but associated chest pains could signify underlying coronary artery blockages. Your testing apparently ruled out any heart muscle damage. Your GP will probably want you to undergo further testing such as treadmill stress testing in view of your ongoing symptoms.

[Cavalierrubie]

Did they give you any medication? I was taken to A/E and diagnosed and they gave me an anticoagulant and beta/blocker. Anticoagulant is important so l would see your GP as soon as you can. I was referred to a Cardiologist when l had an echocardiogram and 24 hr. holter monitor to assess my heart to see if there were any issues causing the AF. The GP should arrange for your further care.

M

[Buttermints in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Thanks for this information, I am glad this site is available.

[Callie456]

Hi,

When I had my heart attack I felt like my chest was being squashed and like I couldn't breathe from the inside. I also got pins and needles down both arms. It sounds similar to what you describe.

The triponin blood test is one that needs to be done with repeat testing after several hours because triponin in the blood goes up over time if there is damage to the heart muscle. An initial test may not show a dramatic increase.

I would go back to the hospital today and tell them you are still in pain, that symptoms are ongoing. If they found you did have a heart attack you need to be on medication straight away and they have the records of all the testing they have already done.

I would recommend that you do not leave the hospital that you stay there until they have a bed for you so that things can be looked into properly.

I hope that you get the medical attention you need as soon as possible.

All the best xx

[Buttermints in reply to Callie456]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. X

[MWIC in reply to Buttermints]

I agree - never had chest pain with AFib - I have had a HA and with mine it was all discomfort in shoulder blades and at a point a wave that went down both arms - best advise just go back to A&E and ask to be checked out thoroughly

[Buttermints in reply to MWIC]

Thank you. C

[Sharpglo]

sounds deplorable to me. I have had some awful experiences in A & E also. Which country/town,do you live in?

[Lowerfield_no_more]

You should be getting a copy of the discharge letter from the hospital. Without getting heavy handed, my understanding is that it is your legal right to have access to your health records. So if you want early access to a copy then ask the GP surgery for a copy or contact the hospital (try A&E admin) to send you a copy. However if you have the NHS app or any other app used by your GP surgery you may be able to see it online. As you seem to still be suffering the after effects of your HA and are unable to get to see your GP at the earliest opportunity you could try 111 who may have access to your hospital records and who can advise on your situation , or you could talk to the BHF Heart Helpline nurse as below. However although it is frustrating not knowing the details about your incident and what it means for you longer term you were clearly considered fit enough to not be admitted at the hospital which is a good thing. Nonetheless longer term you need to establish whether you are to see cardiologist with a view to further investigations and whether you are to be offered cardio rehab, and a call to the hospital cardio unit secretary will be able to advise on that. Next as others have mentioned you should be getting any short and long term medication sorted out at the earliest opportunity. You are likely to have been discharged from A&E with a small supply and it is important for your GP to sort you out for the future and certainly not allow you to run out of any prescribed medication. Finally if you have a sudden return of possible HA symptoms do not hesitate to contact 999. I hope you get sorted.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Buttermints in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thanks. I wasn't given any meds or advice. Bit scary. I will try again with the doctors surgery tomorrow and phone the BHF cardiac nurse too. X

[Moshlaintemhaith in reply to Buttermints]

I was in terrible pain a few years ago. GP was certain it was heart related. After being referred to a cardiology my heart was fine and GP then decided it was all in my head! But I persevered and after further investigation it urned out to be my hernia. I'd had an operation previously to rectify a hernia... but many years later the stitches 'pulled' (not the medical terminology!) It seems that other conditions can mimic a heart condition. Hope you get answers soon

[honeybubs]

Hi, last year my trops were up and I felt ill. They kept me in hospital for a week wired up. Having 34,000 extra beats. Had MRI and other tests which showed Myocarditis and Pericarditis. Similar symptoms and pain as you. Inflammation of the heart and lining of the heart but I had already been diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Keep on going and ask questions and don’t be fobbed off when they say there’s nothing wrong it’s anxiety. You will have anxiety because they aren’t doing anything though. It’s real painful symptoms you are having and you feel ill so tell them that and you are very worried. Good luck and keep us informed. Joy.

[honeybubs]

it’s Joy again - also years ago I had terrible pains in my shoulder and my shoulder blades and midriff. It turned out to be my gallbladder and I had to have it removed. It sounds more like it’s your heart but gall bladder pain can come and go and then be constant. Ask your GP to examine you as that can cause extreme pain in your abdomen. Just a thought. X

[Sooz34 in reply to honeybubs]

I also was thinking this as I had gallstones years ago and also had the similar type if pain in the same areas. Does the pain get worse after you eat a fatty meal? I have HF but it's not painful. Gallstones were awful and the tester used to be for ladies fat, fair, 40, fertile, flatulent!! I was only 30 and slim!! So it's not a given. Good luck and hope you are soon sorted and feeling better x

[honeybubs in reply to Sooz34]

Hi, yes minutes sometimes after eating the pain can come on. I didn’t know what it was for years so changed my diet to stop the pain as it was brought on after eating. I have also always been slim size 10 and I keep it at 9 Stone I’m 65 now. When I eat a pizza whilst taking grandchildren to Lego land over 15 years ago now and was up all night terrible pain and couldn’t stop being sick. I’ve never eaten pizza since! lol. Each time I went to the GP I hadn’t got the pain so wasn’t diagnosed until late. An emergency GP I went to diagnosed me with the gallbladder stones blocking the opening and the force of being sick dislodges them and the pain stops. When mine didn’t stop because it was impacted and infected the hospital sent me home with more antibiotics and said they couldn’t do anything whilst it was infected so my husband got me an appointment with the Nuffield and she said straight away it’s got to come out straight away or something serious will happen. They operated at the Nuffield and I’ve been pain free ever since. Still have to watch what I eat because the liver just constantly drips bile liquid down to help digest food with not having a gall bladder so some foods don’t agree with me as it causes lose stools. You have probably got a few things going on at the same time. Get examined and a scan to clarify inside your gallbladder as that can cause serious problems and it’s not good for your heart either. X

[Buttermints in reply to Sooz34]

Thanks, but I've had my gallbladder removed.x

[Buttermints in reply to honeybubs]

Hi, My gallbladder has already been removed. My husband is going to push for answers if I don't get anywhere tomorrow. X

[fishonabike]

I am sorry to hear that you gave been through this and are still in pain

none of us can diagnose what has happened to you but your pain and the symptom you describe should be enough to trigger concern and further investigation

there are serious heart conditions which can cause the symptom you describe but which do not always cause a sufficient increase in troponin levels to trigger action from emergency services - both Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection are more common in women and cause symptoms like a heart attack with obstructed artery/ies (MI)

I suggest that you call 111 at least

[Buttermints in reply to fishonabike]

Thanks for all the information. X

[Cavalierrubie in reply to fishonabike]

I was not aware of this with regards to troponin in the blood so thanks for info. I have recently been to A/E with AFand chest pain. I don’t think they rely on that test alone, although it is important. I had. 12 lead ECG which they always give you with chest pain and it reveals if you have a heart attack. My Dad had a silent one and it was detected on a regular ECG at the doctors surgery. I don’t think they would discharge you if all was not well. They know what they are looking for. I have a hiatus hernia and the pain from that mimics heart attack. Of course these tests are only for the moment in time. so if symptoms persist or get worse then go back.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear about your experience.

I live with vasospastic angina which is caused by transient constrictions of my coronary arteries, this leads to a lack of blood supply to my heart muscle, myocardial ischaemia.

When I have coronary vasospasms, I feel similar symptoms to those you have described, in particular my heart feels bruised for several days afterwards. My bra feels too tight and I am very tired. Severe episodes of coronary vasospasms feel like being in labour to me. All accompanied by an overwhelming sense of unease.

Microvascular angina is more common in women and along with vasospastic angina, is often overlooked, under recognised and under diagnosed.

I suggest you keep a log of your symptoms, discuss these with your GP and ask to be referred to the Rapid Chest Pain clinic to have the possible causes of your symptoms investigated.

The BHF has this information about

Microvascular and vasospastic angina.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Buttermints in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you so much for getting in touch with me. Everything sounds exactly like I described it to my husband. I am sitting with my bra undone as I write this, as it's been feeling too tight since the event on Wednesday. I too described the 4 attacks like being in labour, as the heart contractions and the events before and after each one ran in a sequence. My heart feels bruised and I'm very tired. I feel so much better knowing that my symptoms have been recognised by someone else. I'm sorry you have cv, but can I ask whether you know if this is hereditary? Xx

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Buttermints]

I am not sure there is a definitive answer to say whether vasospastic angina is hereditary.

There has only just recently been more research into the causes of microvascular and vasospastic angina.

[Buttermints in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks

[Blackknight57]

the spray was most likely GTN.

If you are curious look on your patient records. Everything goes on there once they catch up with your gp.

[Jedi14]

Your body is telling you something! Please try and understand this point, you need to make some dietry changes. As you rightly mentioned, lowering your body weight would be a good starting point! I'm sure you will see good changes taking place, before things go out of control.