Question 1

I'm having some pain that I'm worried about. It's mostly on my left elbow, both upper and sometimes the inner part, and I also feel pain just below my left ear on the jaw. Besides that, I get this discomfort below my left chest and it usually happens when Ive got gas. I've had an ECG done back in August and everything came out normal, but I'm still concerned. The pain kind of comes and goes without any chest pressure or breathing issues. Could this be heart-related? Sometimes the pain hits my back too. My blood pressure is 127 over 79 and my total cholesterol level is 264. Do these symptoms sound like I should be worried about my heart?

Accepted Answer

Based on the symptoms you have described, such as pain in the left elbow, left jaw, below the left chest, and sometimes in the back, which worsen when you have gas, along with normal ECG results and absence of chest pressure or breathing problems, it is less likely to be cardiac-related. The pain you are experiencing may be musculoskeletal or related to gastrointestinal issues. For the pain in your left elbow and jaw, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen. For gas relief, you can try simethicone-based antacids. Additionally, for high cholesterol levels, you may consider starting a statin medication like atorvastatin at a low dose. It is important to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and management of your symptoms. Remember to maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet to help manage your cholesterol levels.

Question 2

Is my EKG normal? Can you manually check the QTc levels because last time the machine got it wrong? Also, I'm confused about what non-specific ST depression means. From what I understand, ST depression is linked to a heart attack or ischemia. I've had ECGs before, but this is the first time I've seen this in the report. Could you help explain this?

Accepted Answer

Regarding the EKG, I cannot check the QTc levels manually through this platform. Non-specific ST depression on an EKG means that there are changes in the ST segment of the EKG that are not specifically indicative of a heart attack or ischemia. It can be caused by various factors such as electrolyte imbalances, medications, or even normal variation. If you have concerns about the findings on your EKG, it would be best to discuss them with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and interpretation.

Question 3

My dad is 62 and he's been pretty active, walking around 4 to 5 kilometers every day and maintaining a positive attitude overall. He has high blood pressure, something that runs in our family. I've started keeping an eye on his heart rate, and I noticed it's usually around 57 beats per minute and sometimes even drops to 50. Should I be worried about this, and do you think he needs to see a doc for a check-up?

Accepted Answer

A resting heart rate of 50-57 beats per minute is generally considered to be within the normal range for adults, especially for individuals who are physically active like your father. However, since your father has a history of high blood pressure and his heart rate occasionally drops to 50, it would be advisable to consult with a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying heart conditions or medication side effects that may be contributing to the lower heart rate. It's important to have a comprehensive evaluation to ensure his heart health is optimal.

I'm having this weird feeling of chest tightness over the past few days, and I'm experiencing shortness of breath, but there's no pain involved. A couple of days ago, I noticed pain on the left side of my chest, but that's gone now. Could you help me understand what's going on?

Ecg and cardiac markers are advised to the patient.

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