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How To Test For Heart Disease?
Question: Hey, I'm looking for a second opinion. I've had a chest X-ray, CT scan specific for blockages, and blood tests, even the one looking for that protein in my blood in the case that my heart was damaged. I've also had EKG's, and my blood pressure is normal. Am i in the clear as far as heart troubles?
Brief Answer:
YES - for all practical purposes
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
These tests are very reassuring indeed.
It is practically uncommon to have Coronary Artery Disease at this age and in women. You can rest assured / and enjoy life...
In suspected event, we aim to see the structure and function
ECHOcardiogram is quite satisfactory to see the heart valves (Mitral Valve Prolapse) / heart muscle (Cardiomyopathy) and heart function (Ejection fraction, wall motion abnormality) / clots etc... It is non-invasive and has no radiation involved / can be repeated.
You have done CT and it is normal / nothing to worry any further
If ECG is normal and if one is still suspicious, TMT – Treadmill exercise ECG – could be done to evaluate ischemia (reduced blood flow / Coronary Artery Disease).
In people with bad family history, risk factors are assessed – they include Lipids (Cholesterol), in particular.
The treating doctor could advise, based on the total clinical picture
Good luck
God bless you
YES - for all practical purposes
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
These tests are very reassuring indeed.
It is practically uncommon to have Coronary Artery Disease at this age and in women. You can rest assured / and enjoy life...
In suspected event, we aim to see the structure and function
ECHOcardiogram is quite satisfactory to see the heart valves (Mitral Valve Prolapse) / heart muscle (Cardiomyopathy) and heart function (Ejection fraction, wall motion abnormality) / clots etc... It is non-invasive and has no radiation involved / can be repeated.
You have done CT and it is normal / nothing to worry any further
If ECG is normal and if one is still suspicious, TMT – Treadmill exercise ECG – could be done to evaluate ischemia (reduced blood flow / Coronary Artery Disease).
In people with bad family history, risk factors are assessed – they include Lipids (Cholesterol), in particular.
The treating doctor could advise, based on the total clinical picture
Good luck
God bless you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you! Am I okay as far as clots considering he did a CT scan just for that? If i had reduced blood flow wouldnt that show in other things? Like blood pressure ?
Sorry just very worried.
The chest pain, and arm pain I have been having is just very worrisome. I cannot get in with a cardiologist for another week. Will i be okay in the mean time heart wise?
Sorry just very worried.
The chest pain, and arm pain I have been having is just very worrisome. I cannot get in with a cardiologist for another week. Will i be okay in the mean time heart wise?
Brief Answer:
Yes - you will be OK
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM
CT has several indications…. It is often the gold standard, against which other investigations are compared. If it excludes, there is no cause for concern…
Blood pressure does not show these changes… unless and until the insult is severe
Heart attack is extremely rare / exceptional in a woman and that too during her fertile period
You are OK / you ill be OK / Worry is a leading cause of many problems – including the heart.
Relax and enjoy life / you have a long and trouble-free life ahead.
The pain is likely from muscle spasm - from posture etc... Follow up with your doctor - In the meantime, Over the counter Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug like Ibuprofen may be useful
Regards
Yes - you will be OK
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM
CT has several indications…. It is often the gold standard, against which other investigations are compared. If it excludes, there is no cause for concern…
Blood pressure does not show these changes… unless and until the insult is severe
Heart attack is extremely rare / exceptional in a woman and that too during her fertile period
You are OK / you ill be OK / Worry is a leading cause of many problems – including the heart.
Relax and enjoy life / you have a long and trouble-free life ahead.
The pain is likely from muscle spasm - from posture etc... Follow up with your doctor - In the meantime, Over the counter Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug like Ibuprofen may be useful
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks. So these tests (ekg, blood test for protein, blood pressure, CT angiography scan, and chest x-ray) would have shown any artery blockages, heart complications, or ANGINA ? That is my final and most important question to you.
The Dr. said it could be pleurisy but im not sure why id still have symptoms like pain in my left arm. He gave me 600 mg of tylenol. Please answer question above. It is my main concern :)
p.s. I am having tingling in my left thigh at the moment..could that be heart related?
sorry last questions. thanks so much
The Dr. said it could be pleurisy but im not sure why id still have symptoms like pain in my left arm. He gave me 600 mg of tylenol. Please answer question above. It is my main concern :)
p.s. I am having tingling in my left thigh at the moment..could that be heart related?
sorry last questions. thanks so much
Brief Answer:
Heart problem excluded for sure
Detailed Answer:
Hi
These tests are very sensitive and have effectively EXCLUDED heart problems in you. These investigations could NOT MISS any significant thing.
The distribution of pain depends on the nerve supply of the affected area / hence it is very common to have chest and arm pain in many afflictions. Heart pain in many people can be felt in the arm / but all arm pains are not from the heart…
The very fact your doctor has prescribed means – it is muscular and NOT serious
It is a question of time and the pain will disappear completely
YOUR HEART IS PEFECTLY NORMAL
Symptoms from below the navel (umbilicus) have NO direct relation to the heart
Regards
Heart problem excluded for sure
Detailed Answer:
Hi
These tests are very sensitive and have effectively EXCLUDED heart problems in you. These investigations could NOT MISS any significant thing.
The distribution of pain depends on the nerve supply of the affected area / hence it is very common to have chest and arm pain in many afflictions. Heart pain in many people can be felt in the arm / but all arm pains are not from the heart…
The very fact your doctor has prescribed means – it is muscular and NOT serious
It is a question of time and the pain will disappear completely
YOUR HEART IS PEFECTLY NORMAL
Symptoms from below the navel (umbilicus) have NO direct relation to the heart
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
You are a phenomenal doctor. :) Would the tests have detected PAD?
Brief Answer:
PAD is different / Thanks
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I presume – by PAD – you mean Peripheral Artery Disease
You have no relevant symptom – like claudication
Palpation of the peripheral pulses is all that is necessary in most people /
if anything is suspected, measurement and comparison of pressure is done /
We do Doppler study of the lower extremity arteries for further assessment and assistance in some cases.
Thank you for the nice complement / I am now in the fifth decade of my practice and happy to have served to patients' and my satisfaction
Regards
PAD is different / Thanks
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I presume – by PAD – you mean Peripheral Artery Disease
You have no relevant symptom – like claudication
Palpation of the peripheral pulses is all that is necessary in most people /
if anything is suspected, measurement and comparison of pressure is done /
We do Doppler study of the lower extremity arteries for further assessment and assistance in some cases.
Thank you for the nice complement / I am now in the fifth decade of my practice and happy to have served to patients' and my satisfaction
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
very nice. should I be worried that my left arm is still aching and tingling ?
Brief Answer:
NO need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello
This ache / tingling in the pain has nothing to do with your heart
It is a referred pain - meaning the cause is somewhere else apart from the area of the symptom.
In your case, this is from Pleurisy / or nerve irritation in the neck - from posture, at sleep.
Tylenol will take care of that too...
Tell your doctor during the next planned visit - he/she may give muscle relaxants (they need prescription) / may be an investigation or two, directed at it.
STOP WORRYING / START ENJOYING
Regards
NO need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello
This ache / tingling in the pain has nothing to do with your heart
It is a referred pain - meaning the cause is somewhere else apart from the area of the symptom.
In your case, this is from Pleurisy / or nerve irritation in the neck - from posture, at sleep.
Tylenol will take care of that too...
Tell your doctor during the next planned visit - he/she may give muscle relaxants (they need prescription) / may be an investigation or two, directed at it.
STOP WORRYING / START ENJOYING
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you for the reply. sorry about worrying haha. it's just that my leg is tender to the touch and I'm afraid of a blood clot. I'm guessing the tests I did wouldn't show a blockage in the leg? will aspirin help just in case? if so, how much?
Brief Answer:
Block not likely
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM
Get the leg examined by your Primary Care Provider / or in ER
Clinical examination is the first test – takes priority / it could be simple muscle sprain…
It is unlikely to have been missed by your doctor, before
Any Over The Counter (OTC) Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) like Ibuprofen or naproxen can help
The dose of aspirin depends on the findings – for suspected clot, generally 300 mg is given on first day, followed by 75 mg on subsequent days…
Regards
Block not likely
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM
Get the leg examined by your Primary Care Provider / or in ER
Clinical examination is the first test – takes priority / it could be simple muscle sprain…
It is unlikely to have been missed by your doctor, before
Any Over The Counter (OTC) Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) like Ibuprofen or naproxen can help
The dose of aspirin depends on the findings – for suspected clot, generally 300 mg is given on first day, followed by 75 mg on subsequent days…
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Oh wow to dissolve it ? Have you ever heard of the blood thinner nattokinase?
Brief Answer:
need to prove the presence of clot
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Nattokinase, as I understand, is herbal product and we are not legally or ethically right to elaborate on it. It is difficult to standardize the concentration and dose of products of herbal origin. It is not prescribed by practitioners of Modern Medicine – except under experimental and/or research situations. I have not prescribed so far; nor have I any intention or inclination to do in the near future.
The question of dissolving the clot does not arise, since its presence has not been documented… and it is not wise to take clot busters without definite indications – they can have side effects..,
Regards
need to prove the presence of clot
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Nattokinase, as I understand, is herbal product and we are not legally or ethically right to elaborate on it. It is difficult to standardize the concentration and dose of products of herbal origin. It is not prescribed by practitioners of Modern Medicine – except under experimental and/or research situations. I have not prescribed so far; nor have I any intention or inclination to do in the near future.
The question of dissolving the clot does not arise, since its presence has not been documented… and it is not wise to take clot busters without definite indications – they can have side effects..,
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I understand. the last question that I have for you is: my beats per minute have been 96 for the past qeek while resting. is this too high and should I be worried ? I've been more active than usual I believe
Brief Answer:
Normal range... / follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The range for heart rate is between 60 and 100.
Yours is in the upper normal range – since the heart is normal, we may have to look for Anxiety / excess of tea or coffee / tobacco / thyroid etc
The treating doctor alone could conclude better, based on the total clinical picture
Regards
Normal range... / follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The range for heart rate is between 60 and 100.
Yours is in the upper normal range – since the heart is normal, we may have to look for Anxiety / excess of tea or coffee / tobacco / thyroid etc
The treating doctor alone could conclude better, based on the total clinical picture
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I'm overweight but I don't drink coffee or smoke tobacco. is my heart rate a risk for heart attack and will it go down as I lose more weight ?
Brief Answer:
NO
Detailed Answer:
NO – this heart rate is not a risk or heart attack
It is not likely to come down with losing weight
Weight is like bank account – reduces by withdrawing more (physical work) and/or deposit less (eat less). Consult a dietician - reduce the quantity of your food and change the quality too. Regular exercise helps. There is no officially approved medicine for this.
Slow and steady reduction – 2 KG in a week, is safe.
NO
Detailed Answer:
NO – this heart rate is not a risk or heart attack
It is not likely to come down with losing weight
Weight is like bank account – reduces by withdrawing more (physical work) and/or deposit less (eat less). Consult a dietician - reduce the quantity of your food and change the quality too. Regular exercise helps. There is no officially approved medicine for this.
Slow and steady reduction – 2 KG in a week, is safe.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes I understand. Now this morning I had pain in my chest and left arm in at the same time but it went away in like 5 seconds..is that normal
Brief Answer:
YES / it is normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Fleeting pain is from muscle or nerve not heart / Pain from the heart is longer, oppressing, in central chest (and left), worse on effort, relieved by rest, may radiate, associated with sweating and so on.
Your symptoms do not suggest Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).
Regards,
YES / it is normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Fleeting pain is from muscle or nerve not heart / Pain from the heart is longer, oppressing, in central chest (and left), worse on effort, relieved by rest, may radiate, associated with sweating and so on.
Your symptoms do not suggest Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).
Regards,
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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