Question 1

I'm 32 and weigh 45 kg, and I've been experiencing frequent breathlessness and sometimes chest pain. My doctor recommended some tests like an ECG, an echocardiogram, and a blood test. I'm really worried because I've heard that getting an echocardiogram might not be safe for the heart. I'm scared of going through with it. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Echocardiogram is a safe and commonly used test to assess the structure and function of the heart. It uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart, allowing doctors to see how well the heart is pumping blood and detect any abnormalities. It is a valuable tool in diagnosing various heart conditions. In your case, since you are experiencing symptoms like breathlessness and chest pain, it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations for further testing. The information obtained from the echocardiogram, along with the other tests like ECG and blood test, will help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment plan for you. There is no need to be afraid of the echocardiogram test as it is a non-invasive procedure and does not involve any radiation exposure. It is important to follow through with the recommended tests to ensure your heart health is properly evaluated.

Question 2

I'm feeling this heaviness on the left side of my chest and it's getting hard to breathe deeply. I've also got pain shooting down my left arm and into the upper left part of my back. I've already gone through tests like ECG, echo, and TMT, plus a chest X-ray, but everything came back normal. I'm really not sure what my next steps should be. Any idea what could be going on?

Accepted Answer

Despite normal ECG, echo, TMT, and chest X-ray reports, your persistent symptoms of heaviness in the left side of the chest, shortness of breath, left arm pain, and upper back pain warrant further evaluation; consider consulting a cardiologist

Question 3

Is it really possible to have pulmonary artery hypertension even when the pulmonary artery looks normal and there's no turbulence? I'm just trying to wrap my head around how that can happen. Could there be underlying issues or does it indicate a different problem? I'm a bit concerned and just trying to understand why this might occur.

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is possible to have pulmonary artery hypertension even with normal pulmonary artery anatomy and no turbulence. In such cases, the hypertension may be due to other underlying factors such as inflammation, vasoconstriction, or other vascular abnormalities. Treatment for pulmonary artery hypertension may include medications such as Sildenafil (Revatio) or Tadalafil (Adcirca) to help relax the pulmonary arteries and improve blood flow. Dosage and duration of treatment should be determined by a healthcare professional.

Can ECG detect heart problems?

An ECG may reveal abnormalities in heart rhythm, signs of blocked arteries or damage from a previous heart attack, or an enlarged heart.

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