Chest Pain Input Please

[li10up]

Well, I rec'd my results from the nuclear stress test - anterior ischemia. So it looks like I've got some sort of heart issue going on. I'm going to be referred to a cardiologist. Hope it's soon as I'm still having these chest pains.

[maillotpois]

Wow. Sounds pretty serious. I hope the cardiologist is helpful. Glad you're being looked after by the right people and what a relief to finally have the issue nailed down. That's got to be the best part - you finally have a diagnosis (from real doctors ) and now you can just get to work on fixing it.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, keep us posted. VERY glad you took this seriously and got tested. I don't know a thing about AI, but hope it's treatable and that you can still ride. Let us know what you find out and we'll all be pulling for you here!

Emily

[Ninabike]

From an old CCU nurse, "anterior" refers to the front part of the heart and
"ischemia" refers to lack of oxygen. That means that the front portion of your heart is not receiving sufficient oxygen. You could still have normal restng EKG's because there is no heart damage. Normally, ischemia occurs when a major coronary artery is partially blocked and the portion of the heart which receives blood supply from that artery is not receiving sufficient blood supply. There are 4 major coronary arteries. The stress test allows them to view any EKG changes which may occur when the heart is placed under stress/excercise and, since the heart needs more oxygen when under stress, the area of the heart affected will be demonstrated. Sometimes, smaller arteries can be the source of the problem, but usually it is one of the 4 major arteries. The condition is easily treated, sometimes with an angioplasty and the insertion of a stent which opens the artery and allows it to remain open.

Mind you, I am relaying this information mearly based upon the diagnosis of anterior ischemia. We normally think of coronary artery disease (blockage of the coronary arteries) as an older person's disease. However, some people can be gentetically predisposed to this condition at a younger age. The main thing is to get a diagnosis because heart disease is easily treated. Ultimately, this will not keep you off your bike, as excercise will build collateral circulation in the surrounding blood vessels. Please do ask the cardiologist any questions you may have. Ask to see diagrams of the heart and the vessels.

All the best and I know you will be fine!!

[Torrilin]

Sounds like the answer is "we can fix that". I don't know much about heart problems, but fixable sounds *real* good.

[KnottedYet]

If they put you on clot-busting drugs to clear the artery in your heart, just be sure to ask them if you need to limit your biking activities while on the drugs. They'll know what they want you to do based on the dosage and such they give you.

Those drugs can make you bruise and bleed easily.

(but it's worth it to save your heart!)

[maillotpois]

yeah, I guess that's the next question: what's causing the blockage? is it a blood clot or is it arterial plaque/narrowing arteries. I wonder how they figure it out. maybe an echocardiogram after all.

when do you see the cardioloist?