Question 1

Today I was feeling really breathless, so I decided to see a cardiologist. They had me do an ECG, and after looking it over, the doctor recommended getting another one in 23 days. Should I be worried about what my ECG showed? I'm also on antidepressants, and I've heard they can sometimes cause long QT syndrome. Could that be what's going on with my QTc interval? I've attached my ECG, and I'm just hoping you can let me know if there's anything abnormal.

Accepted Answer

The QTc interval on your ECG appears to be prolonged, which can be a concern as it may lead to arrhythmias. Since you are on antidepressant medication, it is important to monitor this closely as some antidepressants can indeed prolong the QT interval. I recommend discussing this with your cardiologist and considering a change in medication if necessary. In the meantime, you may benefit from taking a medication like Escitalopram at a lower dose to reduce the risk of QT prolongation.

Question 2

I'm really worried about my heart, and it's been like this for almost a year now. I've had palpitations around 45 times, and I've done a couple of ECGs, echoes, chest X-rays, and a TMT about 8 months ago, but everything came back normal. I don't have diabetes or thyroid issues, and I don't smoke or drink. There's no family history of heart problems either, but my BP is 140, and my LDL and total cholesterol are high at 140 and 192, respectively. The doctors say I shouldn't worry and just manage my BP and LDL, but I still can't shake off this fear of a heart attack.

I often feel like I'm sinking or floating, and I get wobbly and fatigued when walking, sometimes even when I'm just resting. These feelings mostly hit me in the evenings, all the way until I go to sleep. I find myself worrying all the time, and there's just no joy or excitement in my day-to-day lifeit affects my ability to do daily activities.

Can you help me figure out what's going on? Do you think I need any more tests, or is there something else I should be doing? What's causing all these issues?

Accepted Answer

It sounds like you are experiencing anxiety and panic attacks rather than a heart problem, especially since your heart tests have come back normal. Your symptoms of feeling like sinking and floating, wobbling, fatigue, and worry are common in anxiety disorders. It's good that you are focusing on controlling your blood pressure and LDL levels. To address your anxiety symptoms, you can try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga. Regular physical activity can also help reduce anxiety. In some cases, therapy or counseling may be beneficial. For your elevated blood pressure and LDL levels, your doctors may prescribe medications to help manage them. For high blood pressure, medications like Amlodipine or Losartan can be prescribed. For high LDL levels, medications like Atorvastatin can be used to lower cholesterol levels. It's important to continue following up with your doctors for regular check-ups and to discuss any new or worsening symptoms. If you continue to experience anxiety symptoms, you may benefit from a consultation with a mental health professional for further evaluation and management.

Question 3

I just got a new Dr. Morepen pulse oximeter and while checking my heart rate and oxygen levels, it showed a message about a suspected occasional short pulse interval. Should I be concerned about this? I had a mild Covid infection last year and experienced some palpitations afterward, which have since improved over time. After recovering, I did a holter monitor test that was normal except for Sinus Arrhythmia, which my doctor said was normal. My Echo test in October also came back normal. I often check my pulse rate and oxygen because of occasional palpitations since the Covid infection. Do you think I need more tests because of this short pulse interval message?

Accepted Answer

An echo is advised to the patient.

Can I take Ecosprin AV75 tablets even if I don't have heart pain? I'm 33 years old and wondering how long it's safe to use this medication, like maybe taking one tablet a day for a month. Is it okay to just stop after that? Curious to hear your thoughts.

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