Still have some scary/puzzling symptoms: angina, shortness of breath

Hi -- thanks for reading! I tried to be thorough, but not waste your time.

I'm about to mark one year post-pm dual lead implant for Bradycardia. Heart rate at 20-30 bpm with diagnosis of SSS, was what prompted the pm implantation. When implant done, surgeon did nick my lung, causing a pneumothorax. I understand while they get better, there are always a few, small bubbles left in such a situation (general physician mentioned that to me after this incident).

As preamble, I'll say that I'm an active (walking hills, various yoga classes daily, work around my ranch) recently-widowed female over 60, who eats well, loves to laugh and interact with people, teaches young people, doesn't/hasn't smoked, drinks glass of wine maybe once a month, if that. Also, I'm a naturally positive person, able to look squarely at and then move through trauma and/or disaster assertively and come out the other side acknowledging gratitude, respect for the sometimes-challenging variations of Life and gratitude for Life, in general. Up to today, haven't needed to take any meds, do regularly use vitamins, minerals; have no other medical situations -- at least, none seen/diagnosed! So, it seems there are not problems in all of the above (head/psych issues, lack of exercise, bad diet, etc, etc...) that complicate the situation.

What's bringing me here is my puzzlement at these symptoms: daily episodes of shortness of breath, sometimes simply after eating even a very light meal, sometimes while walking over a parking lot, sometimes on a hill causing me to stop and lean over to catch my breath, sometimes at night, lying down; two quite recent episodes of angina, one with jaw pain, prompting me to call 911 and to be admitted to hospital. That most-recent one came on out-of-the-blue, quietly walking from one end of house to other and nothing but pleasant interlude/happy thoughts and conversations with loved-ones. The earlier incident of angina happened on my first flight post-pm implant and, I love to fly!

After the most-recent incident of angina w/jaw pain (@9 on scale of 1-10), was admitted to ER, where over course of two days I had radioactive stress CT, angiogram, thorough bloodwork, etc, etc and "nothing" found. In fact, readouts from all tests would indicate a healthy female in her 40's or 50's (other than the Bradycardia w/ pm).

So, I'm at a loss. Why the shocking incidents of angina with jaw pain/arm pain that last about 10 minutes? I don't grind my teeth/have jaw problems. Why the shortness of breath w/ heart palpitations just "any ol' time"? 

Depending upon the strenuousness or positions in yoga classes, I usually do fine-great. I no longer put such strains on myself such as hot yoga classes. No reason to do stress stuff, in my opinion -- "earned" a break! ;-) Some poses make it harder to breathe so I modify.

I'm not and have never been hypochondriac -- I just would like know what's going on! I sure don't want to miss something and have the family say: "Gosh, Mom/Grammy should have lived MUCH longer!!" That's what I want, another 2-3 decades, all things being equal-enough!

Anyone here, have these symptoms -- and, have you found solutions?

I'm in search of a cardiologist (other than g.p./primary care phys and the electrocardiologist who place pm, never had need for anyone else), and there are a POTfull of choices out there!

I figure that, perhaps, someone here may have had similar experiences and done their own "sleuthing", with some sort of results/clues that I've not as yet found??

Thank you, so much!

 

 

3 Comments

Thank you, Robin1 !

by SweetSuz - 2018-01-07 11:46:55

Robin1, thanks so much for reading, considering my issues, sharing a bit of your own and your observations, experiences and suggestions.

I had not considered the difference between heart pumping and heart electrical/conductivity issues. I simply thought (BUT, my symptoms and experiences are saying differently, thus my comments and request for help, here) that apparently-clear pathways in all avenues to-from the heart would mean unimpeded opportunities for the heart to do its job. Obviously, not!

So, more education is needed by me --  and, an actual cardiologist, which I am seeking! It's trying to look into the crystal ball to determine a truly excellent physician that has me stumped, as I know, first hand (former, now deceased, husband a physician and very good/super-intelligent), that all are not equal in skills or desires to get to bottoms of issues! While "ratings" online might show something, not necessarily, as we all know re. any service/goods.

I'm so glad that you have found your way and could share, here! Thanks again, Robin1. With your considerations re. heart pumping and heart response, I'll stop vascillating in trying to find "the best" for me and just launch into choosing between several who come recommended. Perhaps, the "eeny-meeny-miney-mo" approach will prove lucky in this instance! ;-)

Tests don't test for heart health issues exclusively found in women

by Gotrhythm - 2018-01-07 16:14:44

There is a variety of heart disease found in women called microvascular disease. It will not show up on any of the usual tests (which were desiigned for and tested on men.) Indeed, the tests can show remarkable health of the large vessels in the heart.

Since there is no test, doctors tend to treat MVD as if it doesn't exist. For a long time it went under the name of Syndrome X. You can imagine how many research dollars would be dedicated to a name like that. 

With no test to discover it, for doctors, it's out of sight out of mind. Ignoring it doesn't work as well for the women who have it though.

Robin is right. You need a cardiologist, and you might need to ask "Do you think I could have microvascular disease?" There is medication that can help the symptoms.

MVP and meds...

by SweetSuz - 2018-01-07 18:57:48

Thank you, both, Robin1 (again) and Gotrhythm! This is, as you both say in differing words, super important knowledge for women who do/may/are questioning whether they have heart issues.

Just today, via smart-friends' networking and sharing of their own experiences in all of this, I believe I have found the cardiologist "for me". And, this person, also, is part of the same larger network in which my EP practices, so not foreign, so to speak. Also, this person's name came up several times over my recent ER prompted stay in hospital. I am encouraged by the "holistic approach" that this doc favors, as well...We shall see!

I certainly do understand about large egos when it comes to medical practice/other endeavors, as I was clinic director for my former (now deceased) husband's medical clinic a few decades back. I also understand the difference between brilliant-and-questing/questioning (as in my former husband, who was and did!) and just a doc putting in his/her daily to-do's. I want one with passion/fire in the belly for his/her patients and her/his profession/Life in general. That's all I ask! ;-)

Gotrhythm, thank you for the acronym, MVP, as that was what I wanted to pursue and, I certainly will, reading what you've said and having vaguely heard something in that regard, previously.

When I had the radio isotope CT extensive scans two days ago, upon being given the results and asking as many questions as I could think to ask, "they" said that, "no", all of the vascular areas of the heart are being fed by unobstructed valves, arteries, so, "no problem" with tiny vascular areas. I wasn't so sure that might be the case and, will continue asking the questions now, re. MVP.

Thank you, both, again!

May we all enjoy better and smoother good health!!

 

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