Sitting in walk in with chest pain

[HorrorFan81]

Had some kind of viral illness since boxing day. Mostly ENT, body aches, chills.

Woke up at 4am with chest pain in the middle of my chest that steadily got worse and worse, felt like I was being crushed in a vice. Was about to wake my husband and ring 999 when it died down and the pain went. Decided to give it a bit of time but the pain came back at 7.30, not as bad.

Called GP but no appointments, was told to come to walk in so here I am. Pain is on and off. Mostly to left side now. Took some aspirin before coming in.

I'm feeling sick and woozy but been feeling like that for a few days. Thinking I don't feel quite bad enough for an actual heart attack? Assuming related to the virus. But hoping to be seen sooner rather than later...

9 of us in waiting room. Display says 5-6 hour wait, not sure how that's possible. Guessing I'll get triaged earlier than that though?

Don't they triage you quickly with chest pain?

You should be triaged quickly at A&E anyway, but I'd have thought they would prioritise patients with chest pain.

Did the receptionist ask what was wrong when you came in?

Been triaged and ECG done. Now waiting to see Dr for next steps. The nurse who did the ECG did nip out to check that rhe Dr was happy with me waiting to see them, which they were, so hopefully that means the ECG didn't show anything sinister. Nurse mentioned needing a blood test next so will see what Dr say. Still having pain

If they are doing Treponin test and if you are taking Biotin please let them know as it can interfere with the test giving a falsely normal result.

Thanks, yes they are doing that test. Not taking Biotin but good to know!

If the bloods come back normal ask about

a chest xray in case its a pneumonia causing the pressure
a follow up with / referral to cardiology in case its myocarditis caused by the virus you just had

Thanks, waiting on an x ray now. They are being very thorough

Will mention myocarditis if all comes back normal. Would that show up anywhere? They are testing for alot of stuff in the bloods I think

I was similar last year and actually thought I had the symptoms of pleurisy which A&E discounted and tried to put it down to a pulled muscle 🙄 Because I also have Lupus they did a specific blood test which showed i was highly susceptible to blood clots so they sent me for a CT scan. Both lungs were peppered with blood clots and I was in for a week.

If you can't get a ct scan ask for the blood test.

myocarditis is only clearly shown in an Echocardiogram ..that's not an ECG its like an ultrasound of the heart. I don't know if they can do one in A and E..but it's also the next step in looking at a heart attack too, so worth asking. The gold standard for a heart attack is an angiogram with contrast..but most people don't get one of those unless they are really severe

Thanks for the advice/company all. All tests coming back clear and not presenting like a HA so they were happy to send me home. She was pretty sure it's inflammation due to the virus I've had. Barely slept last night so heading home for a nap and lazy weekend

Good news. Have a relaxing weekend

Great news. Suggest you dose yourself up with Zinc Vit C and Vit D to help get lver the virus. Then to help protect your heart (in case the virus was messing with it at a low level) take 100% magnesium every day at bedtime for a few weeks and add B12 and some iron. If the chest pain or exhaustion continues do go back for further evaluation