Normal hearts tests...questions for anyone with experience

[5lilfish]

I'm turning 40 yrs old. I have degenerative disks in my neck. I called my doctor on Wednesday because I felt that was flaring up and ended up in the ER being tested for heart issues. I had some tightness, but more slight pain in arms/shoulder and upper back. All my bloodwork, enzyme tests, EKG, blood pressure and stress tests (with echocardiogram) came back fine. The thing is, I am still having heartburn, and arm pain. Now I am anxious. I have been attempting to get in better shape (jogging, crunches, arm weights, low carb diet) and now I'm not sure what to do.

If all those tests came back negative, should I relax? What about these symptoms? Any ideas what else this could be? I do have gallbladder disease too. I want to go back to running...but, even though all the tests cleared me, I'm nervous. I am prone to being anxious, so I am sure that doesn't help.

Thanks...
Jess

 

[bittybabygrower]

I'd get the gallbladder retested and yanked. I had cardiac symptoms with my attacks, my reflux was horrible. Once it was pulled, much better.

 

[5lilfish]

Sorry you had trouble too, but I am reassured to hear your response. My brain says, the doctors did lots of tests...including an echocardio/stress test. Everything came back saying I am ok. I just wish the symptoms would let up so my anxiety could go away.

My gallbladder functions at 11 % (last time I was tested). Low normal is 35%. I don't have any gallstones though. I am not jumping at the chance to have surgery.

Thanks..
Jess

 

[Cinderelly5507]

I'd get the gallbladder retested and yanked. I had cardiac symptoms with my attacks, my reflux was horrible. Once it was pulled, much better.

This! For me, attacks were the same if not worse worse than childbirth! Hth!

 

[North of Mouse]

I'm turning 40 yrs old. I have degenerative disks in my neck. I called my doctor on Wednesday because I felt that was flaring up and ended up in the ER being tested for heart issues. I had some tightness, but more slight pain in arms/shoulder and upper back. All my bloodwork, enzyme tests, EKG, blood pressure and stress tests (with echocardiogram) came back fine. The thing is, I am still having heartburn, and arm pain. Now I am anxious. I have been attempting to get in better shape (jogging, crunches, arm weights, low carb diet) and now I'm not sure what to do.

If all those tests came back negative, should I relax? What about these symptoms? Any ideas what else this could be? I do have gallbladder disease too. I want to go back to running...but, even though all the tests cleared me, I'm nervous. I am prone to being anxious, so I am sure that doesn't help.

Thanks...
Jess

Please ask your Dr. these questions - he will be the best one to give answers having done your personal tests. I, too, have issues with skipped beats that drive me to distraction when I exercise. I can understand your frustration and nervousness to your problem. The Dr. that knows you should be able to give you an honest and more reliable answer to your questions. The best to you!

Unless you are having very bad problems that you can't live with, especially with no stones, and are not ruled serious with your Dr. I would avoid surgery for your gallbladder at all costs. Major surgery is not risk free, and after talking to some who have had it, learned that it does not always alleviate your problems. Only you and your Dr. know if it should be done, of course, and sometimes there is no choice.

 

[5lilfish]

Please ask your Dr. these questions - he will be the best one to give answers having done your personal tests. I, too, have issues with skipped beats that drive me to distraction when I exercise. I can understand your frustration and nervousness to your problem. The Dr. that knows you should be able to give you an honest and more reliable answer to your questions. The best to you!

I am going to....but as far as it goes, the doctors are the ones that told me I am ok. They couldn't find anything to be worried about...but I'm having trouble not worrying anyway.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'm turning 40 yrs old. I have degenerative disks in my neck. I called my doctor on Wednesday because I felt that was flaring up and ended up in the ER being tested for heart issues. I had some tightness, but more slight pain in arms/shoulder and upper back. All my bloodwork, enzyme tests, EKG, blood pressure and stress tests (with echocardiogram) came back fine. The thing is, I am still having heartburn, and arm pain. Now I am anxious. I have been attempting to get in better shape (jogging, crunches, arm weights, low carb diet) and now I'm not sure what to do.

If all those tests came back negative, should I relax? What about these symptoms? Any ideas what else this could be? I do have gallbladder disease too. I want to go back to running...but, even though all the tests cleared me, I'm nervous. I am prone to being anxious, so I am sure that doesn't help.

Thanks...
Jess

Well.....

How is your bloodwork? What about your cholesterol? That is very telling. Also your blood pressure and blood sugars.

Your increased workout can cause this kind of stuff as well as your anxiety as I am sure you know.

As far as gallbladder disease, what is the doctor recommendation? Have they suggested removal?

That being said, I hate to say this to you since you are anxious, that all those "heart tests" might not mean anything. They are not the end all be all of detecting heart disease unfortunately.

The only real way to diagnose heart issues is with a heart catherization and they do not do those unless you are experiencing a heart attack or severe symptoms. Heart caths come with serious risks.

Honestly from your description, you need to take care of your current issues, meaning the ones you know about and go from there.

Living with an almost non functioning gallbladder is not a good idea.

 

[gemini2727]

I feel for you, having anxiety issues myself that started with reflux symptoms, palpitations, panic attacks...in my case, it seems they are all related, sort of feeding off of each other. My GI doctor put me on med short term which helped tremendously with my reflux and I take a very small dose anti anxiety med when I absolutely need it, which isn't too often. Since your heart has been cleared, maybe see a GI doctor concerning your other issues if you already haven't ...good luck to you

 

[LuLuO]

I do think you should revisit your doctor. I do have heart issues and landed in the hospital with the symptoms you describe. For me it turns out I was exercising and running too close to meal time (both before and after) also, I had begun eating a lot of citrus fruits and drinking orange juice which caused my very, very mild heartburn to go through the roof. I was put on Prilosec for a few weeks, increased the time between exercise and meals and only eat citrus fruits once in a blue moon.

Also, I'm sure you know this, but if you're gallbladder is that low functioning you may want to cut out or greatly cut back on fats if you aren't already doing so.

Again, you should definitely check with your doc since the symptoms are not getting better.

 

[North of Mouse]

I am going to....but as far as it goes, the doctors are the ones that told me I am ok. They couldn't find anything to be worried about...but I'm having trouble not worrying anyway.

I'm sorry You sound a lot like me!

 

[5lilfish]

Well.....

How is your bloodwork? What about your cholesterol? That is very telling. Also your blood pressure and blood sugars.

Your increased workout can cause this kind of stuff as well as your anxiety as I am sure you know.

As far as gallbladder disease, what is the doctor recommendation? Have they suggested removal?

That being said, I hate to say this to you since you are anxious, that all those "heart tests" might not mean anything. They are not the end all be all of detecting heart disease unfortunately.

The only real way to diagnose heart issues is with a heart catherization and they do not do those unless you are experiencing a heart attack or severe symptoms. Heart caths come with serious risks.

Honestly from your description, you need to take care of your current issues, meaning the ones you know about and go from there.

Living with an almost non functioning gallbladder is not a good idea.

Bloodwork is all fine. I have Hashimoto's so my thyroid antibodies are high. Other than that, and a Vitamin D definciency (I take a suppliment), all is good. My blood pressure is great. Blood sugars are fine. Cholesterol is normal.

The surgeon, naturally recommended surgery. The GI and my primary say there's no reason to rush into it. I don't have any gallstones.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Bloodwork is all fine. I have Hashimoto's so my thyroid antibodies are high. Other than that, and a Vitamin D definciency (I take a suppliment), all is good. My blood pressure is great. Blood sugars are fine. Cholesterol is normal.

The surgeon, naturally recommended surgery. The GI and my primary say there's no reason to rush into it. I don't have any gallstones.

Your gallbladder is barely functioning. Get it out. Having a diseased gallbladder is not good.

In addition just because they say there are no stones, does not mean you don't have any. Ultrasounds are not foolproof of stone detection.

Since all your bloodwork is good it is probably related to other stuff and not your heart. I would suspect your disc issue.

That being said, symptoms are how you detect a heart issue. Yep. So get your other issues in check. Good Luck. Getting older can be fun.

 

[bittybabygrower]

If your gallbladder is functioning that low, get rid of it. Eventually it can end up infected/necrotic. When they pulled mine, and I had no stones, but my surgeon said he couldn't believe I wasn't sicker and it had started to form polyps which eventually could have turned cancerous. Would you leave a bad tooth in place? No. Same for any internal organ that isn't good. It puts stress on your body and can eventually lead to other health issues.