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What Causes Relapsed Chest Pain Post A Heart Attack?

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Posted on Fri, 11 Mar 2016
Question: I had a heart XXXXXXX about a year and a half ago I am staring to have chest pains again I am 35 female smoker 5 weeks postpartum I had postpartum preeclampsia where my BP would get quite high. Should I be worried about this being cardiac in nature with a clean XXXXXXX such a short time ago? Or should I have another cadriac work up? I had the XXXXXXX because of on going chest pains. I do have a family history and have high cholesterol myself but have not been Able to take my crestor due to either pregnancy or breastfeeding
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Cardiac ischemia is quite impossible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern and would explain that it is quite impossible that your clear coronary artery view could have changed over a one year period.

Your relapsed chest pains are not of any cardiac origin at all.

So, you should relax and don't worry about it!

The only issue to be considered in your clinical situation would be your blood pressure. I would recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values for at least a couple of days (several times during the day) and re-discuss with your doctor the registered values for concluding if any antihypertensive therapy is necessary.

In addition complete blood count, fasting glucose and thyroid, renal, liver function tests should be done to assure that no secondary disorders are responsible for your high blood pressure.

You should know that, pregnancy may be sometimes a substantial trigger for a longstanding and even lifelong hypertension. Also diabetes as well.

Meanwhile (as you cannot continue Crestor because of breastfeeding) I would strongly encourage you to perform a lot of physical activity, modify your diet (preferably recommended Mediterranean diet) and try to relieve your anxiety.

Please let me know about your blood pressure monitoring results and additional lab tests for a direct review.

In case of any further uncertainties, please do not hesitate to ask me again!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (32 minutes later)
Attached is my ekg which the wording scared me and all of my blood work. This bloodwork isnt fasting howeever i should have those results next week. Like i said im 5 weeks postpatum could my pregnancy and the preecampcia put enough stress on mu heart to cause heart attack along with the high cholesterol?? I had a echo done during pregnancy cause they would worried about my ejection fraction this was done in november had baby in december ejection fraction was normal. I just worry with my family history and all problems druing and after pregnancy this could be heart related! Any input would be great thanks for fast reply
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Every thing seems to be OK.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

I carefully reviewed your uploaded ECG and lab tests.

I am glad to confirm you that there is nothing dangerous from your test results.

Your ECG is within normal ranges for a postpartum woman (remember that in pregnancy there are spatial changes i cardiac orientation and position, due to the increased intra-abdominal volume and elevated diaphragm). Your ECG is OK (no rhythm and conductance disturbances, no specific repolarization abnormalities, just a reflection of a slight change in heart position (which is quite a normal thing in pregnancy).

Your lab tests are within the normal ranges.

So you have nothing to worry about.

I can assure you that!

Hope to have been helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 hours later)
As far as follow up i dont need ro see my cardiologist again prob just better following up with a PCP at this point since the clean XXXXXXX was not to long ago! Is there anything else that could make me fwel like im having a heart attack? I do have anxiety if u can tell drom the questions of reassuance and do not have acid relux or anything like that. It was mentioned to me by a nurse that it would prob be good if i got my gallbladder checked
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXXXXX

I would exclude any cardiac disorders related to your symptoms.

Other causes to consider as possibly related to this symptomatology would be:


- a musculo-skeletal pain. Is your chest pain modulated by respiration or body movements? This would be indicative of a musculo-skeletal pain (just a little inflammation).

-gastro-esophageal reflux or esophageal spasms. Where is your pain located: on the left, on the right or in the middle of the chest? Where does it irradiate?
Have you tried taking an antiacid during the pain? If this helped reduce the pain, it would be indicative of one of these disorders.

-a cholecystitis. Do you have fever? Is your pain located on the right of the chest? This could indicate a gall bladder disorder (stones, inflammation, etc.).

-anxiety could also mimic all this clinical scenario.

I recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests to determine the nature of your chest pain:

-chest X ray study
-abdominal ultrasound
-lab blood tests (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, kidney and liver function tests, blood electrolytes).

A fibrogastroscopy may be needed if suspicions of possible gastro-esophageal reflux are raised.

If all the above tests result normal, you should consider anxiety as the main cause of your chest pain.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Greetings!

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 days later)
Hi i just got my cholesterol check back my number are as follows would like ur advice give my above history
Ldl 186
Hdl 38
Total 284
Trig 299

Also i have been having this burning pain in my left breast/chest area given my recent XXXXXXX 1.5 years ago along woth recent EKG and blood work could this be cardiac in nature it comes off and on and its an intense buring pain. Futhermore would u recommend with these chilesterol levels and me not taking meds for quite a while as i had a baby 3 years ago breastfed for quite sometime and then got preg again so its been 4+ years since ive taken med that i stop breastfeeding and get back on the crestor?s
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Opinion as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hi again, dear XXXXXXX

As I explained you before, it is quite impossible that your pain be explained with any cardiac ischemia.

Based on your symptomatology and already performed tests (especially coronary angiography) coronary disorder issue is excluded.

Coming to this point, I would recommend investigating other extracardiac potential causes of your recent complaints. You need to discuss with your attending physician (PCP or internist) on the alternatives I mentioned above and try a careful diagnostic work up to arrive to the right etiology of chest pain.

Regarding your blood lipid profile, it seems that dyslipidemia is present (increased LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, decreased HDL cholesterol).

Rosuvastatin or any other statin would not be appropriate in such circumstances, as long as breastfeeding is present (risk for excretion with milk).

The only preventive management measures would be a strictly diet poor in lipids (saturated fats) and rich in fibers, daily physically active life-style, avoid all close smoking contacts.

Statins could be suitable alternatives in case there is no more breastfeeding or any other contraindications.

And remember to frequently check your blood pressure values until there is no trend for hypertension.

I remain at your disposal for any further question in case there are further uncertainties.

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9536 Questions

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What Causes Relapsed Chest Pain Post A Heart Attack?

Brief Answer: Cardiac ischemia is quite impossible. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! I understand your concern and would explain that it is quite impossible that your clear coronary artery view could have changed over a one year period. Your relapsed chest pains are not of any cardiac origin at all. So, you should relax and don't worry about it! The only issue to be considered in your clinical situation would be your blood pressure. I would recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values for at least a couple of days (several times during the day) and re-discuss with your doctor the registered values for concluding if any antihypertensive therapy is necessary. In addition complete blood count, fasting glucose and thyroid, renal, liver function tests should be done to assure that no secondary disorders are responsible for your high blood pressure. You should know that, pregnancy may be sometimes a substantial trigger for a longstanding and even lifelong hypertension. Also diabetes as well. Meanwhile (as you cannot continue Crestor because of breastfeeding) I would strongly encourage you to perform a lot of physical activity, modify your diet (preferably recommended Mediterranean diet) and try to relieve your anxiety. Please let me know about your blood pressure monitoring results and additional lab tests for a direct review. In case of any further uncertainties, please do not hesitate to ask me again! Best wishes, Dr. Iliri