Heart concerns

[Healthanxiousheart]

Background: I’m 55, have been practically tee total for 30+ years, not overweight, not v fit, and haven’t smoked for over ten years (20 a day or more when I quit).

Did a fair bit of walking in 2020, would get out of breath going uphill or walking briskly. Put it down to my lack of fitness. No particular exercise in 2021.

About eight weeks ago I went out for a walk and got v out of breath with a pain in the middle of my chest. Again, put down to lack of fitness

Three weeks ago was doing some clearing in the garden, relatively mild exertion. Rapidly got out of breath with a sharp pain in the middle of my chest. Following week I felt the same symptoms coming on when I was hoovering so stopped.

Saw GP last week, had ECG and blood tests, all normal. GP advised would request an urgent exercising ECG and go from there. Suspected angina.

Over the last few days I seem to be getting out of breath much more easily and my chest feels ‘tight’ and uncomfortable a lot of the time. Admittedly I am stressing myself out and worrying about it too much.

I don’t know what to do. I do have private medical insurance but always assumed the nhs route is better for suspected heart problems. I don’t know if going to A&E would speed things up (really don’t want to go there).

Any advice please?

Have you had the covid vaccines?

This is all over the place at the moment @Healthanxiousheart

• breathlessness

• an anxious jittery feeling

-palpations -headaches -lightheaded

I am 36, have always been healthy. I had my second covid vaccine and by the end of the week I had experienced all of these symptoms!! I gave now been diagnosed with high blood pressure and tachycardia. My consultant said he is seeing more patients than ever with all of these symptoms. He blames the vaccine and or covid. I had covid after diagnosis so I 💯 blame the vaccine.

Yes I'd agree with both of you. Probably the vaccine if you have had it OP? My BP went really high after it. Heart issues have gone up massively.

Hi, thank you all for your replies.

Interesting comments, not something I have heard of. I have received all three doses.

My bp has stayed consistent as far as I am aware, latest test was 100/65 which is normal for me. I have never had symptoms of, or tested positive for, COVID.

I ended up in A&E yesterday as I had a pain in my chest all day (called 111 who requested an ambulance). Again ECGs and blood tests normal, as was chest X-ray. No advice other than to take a stress ecg as soon as possible.

For those who have had issues, are your symptoms constant or do they come on after exertion?

Hi OP. Be aware that a stress ECG isn't failsafe in women, is often normal and you are no further on but given false reassurance. I'd ask for a CT coronary angiogram or stress perfusion test to rule out angina, maybe an echo or a 24 hour ecg to exclude other issues like endocarditis or arrhythmias.
My experience is that as a female in your 50s things are written off as the menopause or 'anxiety' because chances are everything is normal but not always. PM me if you want OP. Good luck

I've just made a docs appt OP as I can't explain it but I feel like somethings 'wrong' with my chest or heart. Feels constantly heavy so don't dare do any exercise at the mo and I've
has a few instances of weird pain and the odd flutter. And I'm constantly exhausted despite doing half the amount of physical energy I used to.
I suffered from panic attacks when I was younger and it's v different so I don't think it's stress.

Sorry posted too soon, if you have private healthcare I'd definitely make good use of it !

In my experience of private healthcare the consultants are much more likely to do investigative tests. That's what they get paid for.
I'd go that route.

I had those symptoms, turned out to be coronary heart desease and caught it before it turned into something damaging. If you've got private get in with them for the scans and such, mine took 18 months total to diagnose though the NHS (but also through COVID hospital stress).

Have they excluded pulmonary embolus?

I'd agree with a ct angiogram - I had these symptoms and was dismissed but eventually was diagnosed with something serious after a ct

@Musicaltheatremum

Have they excluded pulmonary embolus?

The ED will have assessed for this.

Thank you for all your replies.

My ecg appointment has come through for 18 March so I shall be giving BUPA a call tomorrow (although it may take that long to get a referral letter!).

Thanks again for all the advice, it's really appreciated.