Topic by Driver

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l had an echo-cardiogram or however you spell it today, apparently it was ''pristine''. When it came to my exercise stress test, apparently my heart was showing abnormalities as soon as l was hooked up. l could only complete 6 mins out of the 11 mins test.. but apparently it showed that l was borderline positive for ischaemia.
For those of you who have it, what are the symptoms like for you?
And how was it correctly diagnosed?
And what is happening for you now in terms of treatment and how you feel?
My symptoms are a feeling of chest compression, like someone is sitting on my chest or suffocating my lungs.. l have difficulty breathing, which worsens upon exertion but is still pretty damn bad even when l am at rest. l have chest pains, and also am always very dizzy and breathless.. heart palpitations all the time. l also at times have a weird numb feeling or weird pain down my left arm.
The doctor who ordered these tests wont order the final one l need to determine if l do have ischaemia, because he thinks I am just a sad goth girl with severe anxiety issues while my husband is away on deployment. l know the difference between anxiety and what I am feeling now.
l took the paper work from the cardiologist today with me, so can l see a different GP with this paper work and ask them to order the final test?
Thanks in advance.

Oh yeh, l am 24, non smoker, dont drink or use drugs, am 165 cms, and weigh 50kgs (110 lbs l think?) l am generally fit and healthy.

  Reply by Gadget

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For those who have ischaemia or cardiologists, etc.?

You have chest pressure, difficulty breathing which worsens upon exertion but is also present at rest, pain radiating down the left arm & r constantly dizzy.

You had an echocardiograph that shows ur heart to be structurally sound but the test was terminated prematurely due to EKG abnormalities indicating insufficient blood flow to the heart (ischemia).

You weigh 110 lbs.
You r a 24 year old, non smoker, non drug user who considers him/her self generally fit & healthy.

Your doctor will not order further tests because he believes ur symptoms r stress/anxiety related.

What is wrong with this picture?

Either ur doctor is convinced u r a hypochondriac or ur cardiologist is negligent in his diagnosis.

If u came to any physician I know with the symptoms u describe & with the results of an abnormal echocardiography, he would order an angiogram without delay.

Yes, ur symptoms can be caused by acute anxiety & stress but only after physiologic disorders r medically ruled out.


I am guessing u live in the UK or Canada?
If u do u have two strikes against you; one geographically & one being a young female, a sometimes overlooked group when it comes to heart disease.

See ur doctor asap with ur test results in hand & do not let him/her dismiss ur symptoms without proper testing & diagnoses.

  Reply by dwi

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For those who have ischaemia or cardiologists, etc.?

Cardiac ischemia occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardium) is decreased by a partial or complete blockage of a coronary artery. A sudden, severe blockage may lead to a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Cardiac ischemia may also cause a serious abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), which can cause fainting or even sudden death.

Typical signs & symptoms of cardiac ischemia include:

Chest pain (angina pectoris)
Neck or jaw pain
Arm pain
Clammy skin
Shortness of breath
Nausea & vomiting
In some people, especially those with diabetes, cardiac ischemia may cause no signs or symptoms.

A doctor may make a diagnosis of cardiac ischemia based on:

Medical history
Physical examination
Electrocardiogram
Stress test
X-rays of coronary arteries (coronary angiogram)
Treatment is directed at improving blood flow to the heart muscle & may include:

Medication such as aspirin, beta blockers & nitrates. During a heart attack, thrombolytic agents, or ''clot-busters,'' may be used.
Angioplasty or stent placement (percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI).
Coronary artery bypass surgery.
Exercise may improve blood flow to the heart muscle after the condition is stabilized.