Question 1

I've been experiencing some chest pain on the left side where my heart is, and sometimes it even happens on the right side. It doesn't stop there though; I've noticed random pains around my body, especially in my left arm and a bit in my left shoulder. I went to the doctor, and she told me my hearts fine and suggested it might be Acid Reflux. But I'm still worried because I've read that pain in the left arm and shoulder can signal a heart attack. Should I be concerned or look out for anything else?

Accepted Answer

Advised cardiac markers and echo , repeat ecg after 2 weeks..Also take rabemac DSR orally ,onece a day before food for 2 weeks and syrup sucralfate 10 ml thrice daily for 2 weeks for GERD..

Question 2

I've been having this discomfort in my left arm and shoulder that doesn't get worse when I exercise, and resting doesn't seem to help either. Plus, I've been experiencing sudden breathing difficulties along with sweating every couple of evenings, and it's really exhausting, but strangely, no chest pain like a heart attack. These symptoms were there about a year ago but felt less frequent. Now, it's been more than a month and it's happening more often. A year back, my ECG, ECHO, TMT, and Holter tests came back normal, along with normal TSH, lipid profile, vitamin D levels, etc. The doctor thinks it might be panic attacks, but why do I still have this persistent arm pain? If it was a heart issue, shouldn't there have been complications by now? What do you think I should do?

Accepted Answer

Persistent discomfort in your left arm and shoulder, along with symptoms like sudden breathing difficulties, sweating, and exhaustion, can be concerning. While it's reassuring that your ECG, ECHO, TMT, and Holter tests were normal, and your doctor suggested panic attacks, persistent and worsening symptoms warrant further evaluation. It's important to follow up with your healthcare provider to reassess your condition and rule out other potential causes, such as musculoskeletal issues, nerve compression, or even conditions like GERD or anxiety disorders. Discuss your ongoing concerns with your doctor to ensure a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate management plan.

Question 3

I'm really worried about my health. Every year I get a check-up done, and back in November 2019 at Narayana Hrudyalaya Bangalore, everything was fine  my ECG, Echo, and cholesterol were all normal. But I recently did another cholesterol test, and the results are making me anxious: Total cholesterol is 180, Triglycerides 130, HDL 15, Direct LDL 137, and Non-HDL 165. Lately, I've been feeling this discomfort in my arms and sometimes around my neck, which only lasts a few seconds, but it's got me really concerned about a possible heart attack. My blood pressure is at 12880, and I've been on BP meds for four years now. Back in 2017, both the Holter and Ambulatory tests were normal too, just like the Echo and ECG from November 2019. I'm questioning if there's something serious happening. Should I get another Echo? Is an angiogram necessary? I'm pretty scared and would appreciate any advice.

Accepted Answer

Given your normal results from previous ECG, Echo, and Holter tests, as well as your relatively controlled blood pressure and current cholesterol levels, it's reassuring to some extent. However, the discomfort in your arms and neck, although lasting only a few seconds, deserves attention, especially given your fear of a heart attack. It would be wise to discuss these new symptoms with your cardiologist. They may recommend repeating some tests, such as an ECG or an Echo, to ensure no changes have occurred since your last evaluation. Depending on their assessment, they may also consider a stress test or a coronary angiogram to rule out any significant coronary artery disease. It's important to address these concerns promptly to alleviate your fears and ensure your heart health is appropriately managed.

I'm a 57-year-old man and I've just been diagnosed with high blood pressure. My doctor has prescribed telmisartan 40mg once daily. I'm wondering how long it might take for my blood pressure to get back to normal levels. Should I be concerned if there aren't any immediate changes?

It will take atleast 3-6 weeks .

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