Pressure in Chest

Hello, I have had my St Jude ICD for a year now due to a massive VTC incident. A few months later, they also found SVTC but took care of that with Sotalol. Was also diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoid which is what spread into the heart and caused the scarring, leading to the tachycardias. Around November, I started feeling pressure on my chest. I feel it just walking around, climbing stairs, and trying some light exercise. It feels horrible. It then discourages me from doing more exercise. It hasn't limited my day to day. I have been hooked up to the St Jude monitor twice and the cardiologists say everything is normal. Any idea what this pressure is? Could it be some type of atrophy? Do I just need to power through.

4 Comments

more questions

by Tracey_E - 2014-04-09 09:04:34

When the cardio said everything is ok, did they do any tests? The St Judes monitor only tells them that the pm is working and how much you pace. An echo would tell you how efficiently your heart beats and a stress test would show what your heart is doing on exertion when you have the symptoms. I would ask for both of those if you haven't already had them.

Powering through is a fine line. Not exercising makes us more tired and it gets harder to do anything so it's important to always do as much as we can, but pushing when something is wrong can do damage. If they do more testing and still don't find a reason for your symptoms, cardiac rehab might be a good option. You'd exercise under supervision so you can learn what your limits are.

Who's Treating the Sarcoidosis?

by NiceNiecey - 2014-04-09 10:04:33

I'm wondering if the pressure is from the lungs and your sarcoid and is not related to the heart. Are you treated by an internist or a pulmonologist or another specialist?

I think you're smart to have the nuclear stress test. How about a pulmonary function test, too?

Is it possible that you also need a pacemaker? Your symptoms might indicate that but you have a lot going on. Plus you're YOUNG!

I will pray for your condition to improve and that you'll get answers.
Niecey

thanks

by gshegedus - 2014-04-09 12:04:30

They had me do some physical activity while connected to the St Jude/Merlin monitor. All rhythms seemed normal. Same when I did an echo.

I scheduled a nuclear stress test and will be looking into cardiac rehab.

Just curious if anyone else felt this pressure. None of the docs seem to have observed this before.

Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.

thanks

by gshegedus - 2014-04-10 01:04:27

Thanks Niecey. Yes - I am working with a pulmonologist as well. He can't explain the pressure, but yes, it is likely a convergence of several issues all in that area. It started as I was dialing down the prednisone for the sarcoid.

Did a pulmonary function test before as part of the process to diagnose the sarcoid.

I have a pacemaker/defibrillator combo ICD.

Yes - I was in the best shape of my life when my heart decided to short circuit at age 42. Such is life. Only had the defibrillator go off twice. Once after overexerting myself in the heat. The second time after walking out of the airport after an international business trip. Fun fun!

Thanks for the prayers!

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