Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties

Had viral cardiomyopathy. Severe chest pain. Had viral infection. Why did I have heart attack symptoms?

I went to the er last November thought I was having a heart attack ...no heart attack...scheduled stress test....echo showed heart damage.....had heart cath...no blockages....was determined it was viral cardiomyopathy ...went back to er a couple times with severe chest pain again.....not my heart ....my cardiologist says the pain is not related to heart....have had a cat scan and ultrasound and blood work, nothing ....still chest pains off and on from mild to bad.....since my heart has healed, echo normal but still having the pains that sent me to the hospital....been researching for months and found costochondritis that matches everything that has been going on, I feel the viral infection caused it and the cardiomyopathy...I have been dealing with this for 10 months now ....seems like it will not go away....any thoughts?

Wed, 26 Jun 2013

Question is related to
Diseases and Conditions	Severe chest pain, Viral cardiomyopathy, Heart attack, Cardiomyopathy, Heart failure, Costochondritis, Chondritis, Chest pain, Myocardial infarction, Cardiovascular disease

Post as: Anonymous Non Anonymous

Keep me posted

Cardiologist, Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar's Response

Dear patient,

Most patients with viral cardiomyopathy recover with time and don't progress to heart failure; costochondritis is a benign condition that can certainly improve with time, but antiinflammatories and physical therapoy can hasten recovery.

Yours truly,

Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN

I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.

This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]

Ask a Cardiologist

Share on

You are already signed-up with us. Enter your password.
Email Id:
Enter Password :
Forgot Password?

Had viral cardiomyopathy. Severe chest pain. Had viral infection. Why did I have heart attack symptoms?

Related questions you may be interested in

Recent questions on Cardiovascular disease

Had viral cardiomyopathy. Severe chest pain. Had viral infection. Why did I have heart attack symptoms?

Related questions you may be interested in

Is this a heart attack symptom or just a chest pain ?

Recent questions on Cardiovascular disease

What causes atherosclerosis?

What causes carotid artery and atherosclerotic plaque formation?

What causes discomfort in the throat and weight loss with palpitations?

Is it possible that EKG did not show anything that morning?

How can dementia be treated?

Suggest treatment for vitamin D and B12 deficiency

What do the attached blood reports indicate?