HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Pain In Chest And Discomfort Stomach?

default
Posted on Mon, 2 Feb 2015
Question: Yes, thanks. My wife (61)has been diagnosed w/ supraventricular arrhythmia and subsequently referred toa cardiologist (appt XXXXXXX 7th). She has been experiencing pain in her chestand chronis adrenalin rushes affecting her stomach...she describes the feeling as "overwhelming"....like your stomach would feel moments before seing your child hit by a car....real problem here...XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Supra ventricular tachycardia is very treatable .

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Welcome to Health Care Magic.
My name is Dr Muhammad Ahmad & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. I understand your concern and being a resident of Cardiology myself, I hope I will make you understand the situation in a better way.

MY OPINION:
Going through your history and description, I can assure you that this is not a life threatening condition in 95% of cases (if heart is healthy).


What is happening?:
Going through the medicine list and history, I am very clear about what is happening, your wife is prone to suffer anxiety, and anxiety is one of the main cause of supra-ventricular tachycardia/arrhythmia . Feeling a pounding fluttering stomach / palpitation is the most common presentation during an episode of supra-ventricular tachycardia. This feeling makes her more anxious and this anxiety further gets her heart racing and adrenaline rushing.

Is there any danger?:

If her heart (ventricles) are working fine then there should not be any danger except the strange feeling in her chest and anxiety. We use a statement in cardiology "ventricular tachycardia kills you, supra-ventricular tachycardia just annoys you". So this is just going to annoy her but theoretically it is not going to harm her.

What can be done at home:

1-During an episode when she gets anxious calm her down.
2- You can check her pulse if it is more than 150 per minute you can do carotid massage at one side of the neck at a time DON'T do it at both sides of neck.
3- She is already using anxiety meds so during an episode you can repeat a pill to calm her down this will help with tachycardia as well.
4- If she loses her BP(below 90) or gets disoriented, immediately rush to the ER.(but this rarely happens).

What are doctors expected to do for this problem.

1- Doctors might want to run some tests , to determine the severity of the condition and treatment required.

2- It;s a very treatable condition. According to her investigation ,examination and Holter record doctors might add some anti-arrhythmic pill or a beta blocker in her daily medication to give long term protection.


SUGGESTIONS:

1- Don't panic stay calm she is going to be fine, just reassure her that she is not suffering through a life threatening condition.
2- You can help her during an episode,at home, with the methods i mentioned earlier.
3- You can wait without any problem till 7th and then start a regular medicine and follow up plan what ever you doctor recommends. This thing shouldn't take much time to get under control. Just need better understanding or the problem by the patient because this will really help her way through.





Hope I have answered your query. You can contact me directly when ever you want at
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-muhammad-ahmad/69304

If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.

Wishing you good health !!
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Muhammad Ahmad

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1308 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Pain In Chest And Discomfort Stomach?

Brief Answer: Supra ventricular tachycardia is very treatable . Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to Health Care Magic. My name is Dr Muhammad Ahmad & i will look into your problem. I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. I understand your concern and being a resident of Cardiology myself, I hope I will make you understand the situation in a better way. MY OPINION: Going through your history and description, I can assure you that this is not a life threatening condition in 95% of cases (if heart is healthy). What is happening?: Going through the medicine list and history, I am very clear about what is happening, your wife is prone to suffer anxiety, and anxiety is one of the main cause of supra-ventricular tachycardia/arrhythmia . Feeling a pounding fluttering stomach / palpitation is the most common presentation during an episode of supra-ventricular tachycardia. This feeling makes her more anxious and this anxiety further gets her heart racing and adrenaline rushing. Is there any danger?: If her heart (ventricles) are working fine then there should not be any danger except the strange feeling in her chest and anxiety. We use a statement in cardiology "ventricular tachycardia kills you, supra-ventricular tachycardia just annoys you". So this is just going to annoy her but theoretically it is not going to harm her. What can be done at home: 1-During an episode when she gets anxious calm her down. 2- You can check her pulse if it is more than 150 per minute you can do carotid massage at one side of the neck at a time DON'T do it at both sides of neck. 3- She is already using anxiety meds so during an episode you can repeat a pill to calm her down this will help with tachycardia as well. 4- If she loses her BP(below 90) or gets disoriented, immediately rush to the ER.(but this rarely happens). What are doctors expected to do for this problem. 1- Doctors might want to run some tests , to determine the severity of the condition and treatment required. 2- It;s a very treatable condition. According to her investigation ,examination and Holter record doctors might add some anti-arrhythmic pill or a beta blocker in her daily medication to give long term protection. SUGGESTIONS: 1- Don't panic stay calm she is going to be fine, just reassure her that she is not suffering through a life threatening condition. 2- You can help her during an episode,at home, with the methods i mentioned earlier. 3- You can wait without any problem till 7th and then start a regular medicine and follow up plan what ever you doctor recommends. This thing shouldn't take much time to get under control. Just need better understanding or the problem by the patient because this will really help her way through. Hope I have answered your query. You can contact me directly when ever you want at http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-muhammad-ahmad/69304 If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it. Wishing you good health !!