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Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath And Fatigue
Question: I've read that sometimes women have different symptoms of a heart attack than men and sometimes they can present weeks before the actual heart attack
Does this happen because there is a partial blockage and symptoms can come and go before a complete blockage?
I have been having a lot of uncomfortable symptoms such as extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, fast heart rate,weird sensation in my chest and sometimes I get these episodes of lightheadedness, nausea, cold sweats and my fiance says he can tell immediately by looking at me that my color is off. If I lay down for a little it goes away.
Its been getting worse the past week. I get fatigued walking in the grocery store and I noticed my legs get really weak too. Like they could just collapse
What could be happening in my heart that makes me feel sick suddenly and why would it change my skin color?
Does this happen because there is a partial blockage and symptoms can come and go before a complete blockage?
I have been having a lot of uncomfortable symptoms such as extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, fast heart rate,weird sensation in my chest and sometimes I get these episodes of lightheadedness, nausea, cold sweats and my fiance says he can tell immediately by looking at me that my color is off. If I lay down for a little it goes away.
Its been getting worse the past week. I get fatigued walking in the grocery store and I noticed my legs get really weak too. Like they could just collapse
What could be happening in my heart that makes me feel sick suddenly and why would it change my skin color?
Brief Answer:
Most likely panic attacks!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Firstly thanks for choosing health care magic for your query!
As per your query,
Most of the patient usually have stable angina for weeks and months before a myocardial infarction.Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused when your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood,Its a feeling as if some one is pushing or sqeezing your chest,often described as patient as a feeling of heaviness rather then a XXXXXXX pain,Some people feel a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.Angina may be associated with dyspnoe,palpitations,dizziness and extreme fatigue.But only 75% patients with coronary artery disease present with classical angina.
Answers to you questions-
1)No both male and females usually present with same feature of angina as explained above,There is no documented text in standard textbooks about difference in presentation of male and female patients.
2)Usually partial blockage more then 75% cause angina(compromised blood supply) while critical blockages more then 90% cause myocardial infarction.
3)Your symptoms are indicative of either panic attack or coronary artery disease.
Coronary artery disease is very unlikely in a female of age 33,unless a history of chronic smoking or early cardiac deaths in family is involved.Estrogen in females is highly cardioprotective and presentation of CAD before age of 65 is termed as Premature CAD.This scenario deflects your diagnosis more towards Panic attacks then coronary artery disease.Panic attacks are much more common in young females tghen coronary artery disease.
Some of the symptoms of panic attack are -
Palpitations, Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy,tingling or numbness in the hands and finger,Feeling sweaty or having chills,Palllor,extreme fatigue,Dizziness,Chest pains and Breathing difficulties,Almost all are present in you.
Most likely its not your heart but your anxiety and nervous system.
However i would recommend you some initial tests of cardiology like Tread mill test and 2d echo ,once cardiac cause is ruled out you can get a pyschiatric consultation.
In case of any other query feel free to ask!
Thanks
Most likely panic attacks!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Firstly thanks for choosing health care magic for your query!
As per your query,
Most of the patient usually have stable angina for weeks and months before a myocardial infarction.Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused when your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood,Its a feeling as if some one is pushing or sqeezing your chest,often described as patient as a feeling of heaviness rather then a XXXXXXX pain,Some people feel a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.Angina may be associated with dyspnoe,palpitations,dizziness and extreme fatigue.But only 75% patients with coronary artery disease present with classical angina.
Answers to you questions-
1)No both male and females usually present with same feature of angina as explained above,There is no documented text in standard textbooks about difference in presentation of male and female patients.
2)Usually partial blockage more then 75% cause angina(compromised blood supply) while critical blockages more then 90% cause myocardial infarction.
3)Your symptoms are indicative of either panic attack or coronary artery disease.
Coronary artery disease is very unlikely in a female of age 33,unless a history of chronic smoking or early cardiac deaths in family is involved.Estrogen in females is highly cardioprotective and presentation of CAD before age of 65 is termed as Premature CAD.This scenario deflects your diagnosis more towards Panic attacks then coronary artery disease.Panic attacks are much more common in young females tghen coronary artery disease.
Some of the symptoms of panic attack are -
Palpitations, Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy,tingling or numbness in the hands and finger,Feeling sweaty or having chills,Palllor,extreme fatigue,Dizziness,Chest pains and Breathing difficulties,Almost all are present in you.
Most likely its not your heart but your anxiety and nervous system.
However i would recommend you some initial tests of cardiology like Tread mill test and 2d echo ,once cardiac cause is ruled out you can get a pyschiatric consultation.
In case of any other query feel free to ask!
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
I have had several psychiatric evals and they said it is not psychiatric related due to symptoms beginning or during activity such a going up stairs, walking, carrying things, lifting or bending and resolve with rest. I definitely feel like I am not perfusing correctly. sometimes I feel flushed. Other times i feel my face pale , and become weak, usually my heart rate is in the 50s at that time, but goes up to 120 with some activity.I wouldnt say I have strong chest pain. Its a strange sensation and sometimes it feels like my breathing is restricted or cant get a deep breath. Sometimes I get upper back pain/burning but thought that was muscular or GI related. My family has a history of heart disease but it presented in their 60s.
Brief Answer:
Stress thallium
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
In that case i would recommend you to go for a test called Stress thallium,Sensitivity of stress thallium to rule out cardiac disease is as high as 98%.
A thallium stress test is a nuclear imaging test that shows how well blood flows into the heart while you’re exercising or at rest. This test is also called a cardiac or nuclearstress test.
If this test is normal,all your symptoms are non cardiac in origin.
Hence go for stress thallium.
Advice
Stress thallium is the answer to all your question
Stress thallium
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
In that case i would recommend you to go for a test called Stress thallium,Sensitivity of stress thallium to rule out cardiac disease is as high as 98%.
A thallium stress test is a nuclear imaging test that shows how well blood flows into the heart while you’re exercising or at rest. This test is also called a cardiac or nuclearstress test.
If this test is normal,all your symptoms are non cardiac in origin.
Hence go for stress thallium.
Advice
Stress thallium is the answer to all your question
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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