Angina . . . Or Just Side-Effects Of Stress & Panic Attack?

Question

Hi:

I'm a 41yr. old WM. I used to have panic attacks about 6-8 yrs. ago, but have had them under control for a while. I'm also overweight, but not obese, and I have smoked (off and on, but unfortunately, more on than off) for about 20 yrs. (I know, I know . . . it's not good, so please . . . no lectures). I also have an ulnar nerve in my left elbow that, when it acts up, gives a mild tingling sensation in that arm. I've had borderline cholesterol for most of my adult life, but at my last checkup in March, my HDL & LDL were fine. And, also on the good side, I try to exercise at least 2 times a week, although for the last couple of months, it hasn't happened as much as I would like. Also, there is no history of heart disease in my family, although there is some history of high cholesterol.

I've been very stressed out for a while now, and when my partner & I got in a huge fight 2 weekends ago, I felt like I was having either a panic attack or a heart attack. I went to the ER, where they did an EKG. All the ER doc said at the time is that my cholesterol was high, and I should see a cardiologist. As it was the middle of the night when I got home, I did not read the discharge papers from the ER. However, I read them yesterday, and I was shocked to read that, "your exam shows you have angina pectoris." Needless to say, this has thrown me for a loop, and I'm thinking about words like "blockage" and "catheterization." I already have an appt. scheduled with a cardiologist for this Thursday, and my stress has decreased somewhat since my ER visit.

So, with all of this background, I have a few questions:

- Isn't 41 a little young for angina, even taking into account my less-than-perfect lifestyle?

- As many people experiencing panic attacks exhibit the same symptoms as a heart attack, could the angina diagnosis been actually just the effects from a panic attack?

- Also, it's my understanding that an EKG is just the first test they give you, and it can often give false or incorrect readings?

I am really hoping that it's just the stress and panic and not angina, and am hoping some of you experts can provide a little reassurance. Believe me, even if this is not angina, it has been a loud wake-up call that I'm not 29 any more, and I need to lose the weight (I've done it before) and stop smoking (have also quit before, but I'm really going to try this time). Am also going on vacation a week from this Sat., and I know that it'll help reduce my stress.

Answer 1

Answer 1: The mean age of females being diagnosed with angina is 55, but there are some risk factors that may lead to having angina in a younger age; that include: Positive family history of heart disease, Smoking, high blood cholestrol, Stress, etc.. and you have them all.

Answer 2: No, panic attacks don't cause angina, but angina or heart attacks have to be excluded by EKG from all patients with panic attacks.

Answer 3: I don't think so, because it accurately reads the electric activity of the heart.  

Answer 2

Sit down.  This isn't going to be reassurance.

I had a massive silent heart attack at age 40 or 41. They are not sure when. I had a stress test in that time frame and nothing showed up. They found it when I went into heart failure when I was 45.  I was very lucky I lived through it. My odds were about 5 percent. My first stay in the hospital was 5 weeks.

Angina can have a lot of different symptoms.  With me it's back pain between my shoulder blades or I've had it where it feels like a bus was parked on my chest.

At the very very least, you should contact your GP and get some blood work done before you go off on vacation. It may be nothing but the other possibility is that you end up dead. A lot of people are not as lucky as I was.

You need a Cardiologist.

Answer 3

No 41 is not to young I was 40 when I had to have a triple bipass due to blockages that I had and as far as for angina pain that is just chest pain. yes it is a wake up call but the one sure way to know if it is heart related is to have a cath done they dont hurt they put you to sleep most of the time i've have many heart caths done.

But if you dont change your life style then your heading down a very bad path with all your symtoms your at great risk for heart problems see your cardiologist.

Good Luck and let me know how it turns out hope this helps some.

Heart patient