Could this have been a heart attack?

[crazycat34]

Hi

I'm not looking for a diagnosis, just wanting to benefit from others' experiences/wisdom!

Over the past 3 weeks I've experienced a few bouts of 'severe' chest pain and accompanying dizziness. They have largely coincided with stress (or the thought of it) at work. Resting hasn't made any difference because physical activity hasn't been a trigger, and each episode has lasted for a few/several minutes. I think I've probably had around 6 of these.

I'm not really too worried - I'm still here after all! But I did faint a few weeks before this started for, seemingly, no reason and felt rather 'woozy' for the next 24 hours with no other symptoms (that I can recall).

My Grandmother has angina and both of my grandfathers died from heart attacks in their 40s. I'm 35.

Is this 'just' stress, or could it be something more?

get thee to the doctors. my sister's dp has developed angina and he described it similar to the way you have.

Heart attacks normally make people sweat and have pain that radiates down the left arm. Your symptoms need checking out though, it could be angina or something else. Tell your GP about your family history.

Doctors. Doctors. Doctors.

go to our gp

needs checking out

Panic attacks?

but yes, GP, GP, GP.

Thanks for speedy responses!

Fluffy, that's what I thought. According to 'reliable' internet sources (NHS and British Heart Foundation) it isn't always the case necessarily, which surprised me. Apparantly women can have quite different symptoms to men too.

You can tell that I'm not normally a worrywort health wise because it's taken me so long to do anything about it, I am a bit worried now though.

I think I'll make an appointment tomorrow.

thanks

That's right crazy, it's very rare for this to happen though, the pain can be transferred to other parts of the body, normally the abdomen. The sweating is stil the same though from what I can gather. An ECG can still detect a heart attack after months though so it's still worthwhile seeing your GP and having a chat. It may just be a panic attack or angina but it's best to check it out.

it could be gall stones niggling. I thought i was having a heart attack when i had my last bout and BF made me call an ambulance.I ended up having gall bladder out 4 weeks later (200+ stones) The pain was awful but then went away as quick as it came.

Doubt very much if heart attack as you are young and unless you are very overweight and unfit it is unlikely. Heart attacks in women under 50 are very rare.

More likely to be anxiety, or even muscular, but could possibly be angina.
See your GP.

My mother had the symptoms you described - actually, even milder - and it was a heart attack. Women often have different symptoms to those typically described (vice like pain, radiating to jaw etc). In my mother's case, she had mild chest pain that lasted for about 24 hours, didn't feel 'right', but that was it.

Thankfully she didn't suffer too much heart damage as a result and has had an angioplasty to enlarge her arteries.

I would certainly get your symptoms checked out ASAP, especially given your family history.

How old was your mum Rockin?

There are many more cardiac conditions than just heart attacks. You have significant symptoms, including some that are similar to mini strokes. Yes, could be anxiety etc., but call the doctor first thing tomorrow and tell them you've had chest pain. You'll be seen as an urgent.

She was 66. So obviously not under 50, but still not that old. Also, she had no real risk factors - non-smoker, not overweight, very active lifestyle. Only risk factor was genetic - long standing history of heart disease and high cholestoral in our family.

Get to GP,they will ECG you for any underlying heart issues.

My heart 'pains' have been down to anaemia and panic attacks but you can never risk not getting chest pains investigated.