Tag Archives: chest pain

06.01.22
by

Hyperventilation Syndrome – A Little Known Affliction That Can Mimic Heart Attack

Hyperventilation Syndrome – A Little Known Affliction That Can Mimic Heart Attack

Hyperventilation Syndrome – A Little Known Affliction That Can Mimic Heart AttackThis syndrome can mimic a panic attack or a heart attack.

In most cases, hyperventilating is depicted as someone becoming very upset by a certain event on TV. They are then given a paper bag and told to breathe deeply into it to improve their condition. This is a very short time in which to feel better.

The truth of what this syndrome entails isn’t as drastic, quick, or as easily calmed.

A woman came to see us recently complaining of various symptoms, such as chest pain, heart palpitations, and strange sensations down her left arm and into her neck. She said that she felt like she had consumed a lot of energy drinks, when in fact, she had zero.

After performing an electrocardiogram, which is a standard test for the heart, we were able to confirm that her heart was fine. We then conducted an echocardiogram and a stress test.

What she was experiencing was Hyperventilation Syndrome.

  • Chest pain (Crushing, squeezing, and even stabbing)
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Fainting
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Having a hard time breathing – shortness of breath or feeling like you just can’t get enough air
  • Frequent yawning
  • Numb feelings in hands and or feet
  • Muscle spasms

It can be triggered by stress and anxiety. It can also be caused by the body’s response to certain stimuli.

  • Anxiety
  • Panic attacks
  • Asthma
  • Stress
  • Worrying
  • Exercise
  • Side effects of certain drugs
  • High altitude
  • Head injury
  • Shock
  • PTSD triggers

Treatment and Relief

  • Focus on taking controlled breaths
  • For this exercise, you should put your lips into a position that’s similar to how you would blow out birthday candles. Breathe slowly through your nose, and then slowly breathe out through a small opening between your lips. Repeat this exercise until you feel better.
  • Limit airflow: breath through one nostril only, and slowly.
  • Breathe into a paper bag: This does work but you must do it slowly and repeatedly for 5 to 6 minutes.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor about it. Hyperventilation Syndrome is one of the most under-recognized conditions.

Visit WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM to learn more about our facilities and how we can help.

Never ignore chest pain. If you are not sure of the cause seek medical help immediately. 

08.05.20
by

Chronic Depression & Heart Disease

chronic-depression-heart-disease

chronic-depression-heart-diseaseIf you’ve ever experienced depression you understand that it can sometimes feel like you have a broken or heavy heart. 

Research has shown both that heart disease can cause depression and that depression can cause heart disease. The answer is yes, chronic ongoing depression can lead to physical heart problems.

Things to consider:

  • Depression is the leading cause of disability throughout the entire world.
  • 1 in 3 Americans will die from heart disease.
  • 1 in 20 adults in America experiences major depression each year.
  • 1 in 3 heart attack survivors experiences major depression each year.
  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
  • People with a history of depression are 4 times more likely to experience a heart attack within 14 years than those who have no history of depression.
  • Heart disease patients with depression are 4 times more likely to die within 6 months than those without depression.

After reading the above statistics regarding heart disease and depression, it is obvious that heart disease and depression are related, though how and why they are related is a much more complex issue. Let’s begin by examining the potential ways in which depression can lead to heart disease. Have you ever heard the phrase “stress kills”? While this statement may seem a little overly dramatic, it does have a lot of basis in medical facts. When a person is stressed out, the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released and the sympathetic nervous system is activated, oftentimes referred to as a person’s “fight or flight” response. When a person is depressed, it often results in a chronically elevated level of these hormones, a situation that can have detrimental effects on the heart over time.

On the other hand, depression has been known to occur as a result of heart disease. In one recent study, nearly half of all patients examined a week following a major heart disease surgery showed beginning signs of clinical depression. But why is this? While the relationship between heart disease and depression is still under study, one possible answer is that patients who have recently undergone major heart surgery tend to feel slow and sluggish, finding it difficult to get back into their regular routines. If their regular routines have been threatened by heart disease or they must change their lifestyles drastically in order to adjust to new health concerns, they will understandably start to feel a sense of discouragement and hopelessness.

In addition, heart disease patients with depression often do not receive the correct medical treatment in order to address both issues simultaneously. This can in part be due to the actions of the patient directly, as depression can make it difficult for people to remember to take care of themselves, and patients may forget to take their medications or simply not feel the motivation to do so. Similarly, they may also lack the motivation and energy to keep their follow-up appointments even simply. Furthermore, many cardiologists and primary care doctors simply don’t have the experience with or exposure to patients with mental illness the way psychiatrists and psychologists do and may not be able to properly recognize when a patient is experiencing depression. For this reason, heart disease patients with depression often get overlooked for their depression and are not effectively treated for it the way a patient seeking treatment for mental illness specifically would.

While there are still a lot of unknowns regarding the relationship between depression and heart disease, both conditions can be effectively treated with proper recognition and monitoring. For compassionate cardiologists who care about the overall health of their patients and not just medical issues addressed by them specifically, contact the Tampa Cardiovascular Associates by calling (813) 975-2800 today.

Our physicians are always here for you and are happy to address any concerns you have related to your heart health or to refer you to a qualified mental health specialist. WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM. 

04.03.20
by

Anxiety and Heart Disease

chest pain anxiety heart disease tampa cardio

chest pain anxiety heart disease tampa cardioAnxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the USA. 

Anxiety can make your body feel like you are having a heart attack. Chest based feelings of butterflies to sharp pains are not uncommon. 

Anxiety is not healthy in the short term but long term it can cause you to become ill emotionally and physically. Chronic anxiety can raise your risk for heart issues.

While small amounts of stress are healthy and even motivating, feeling worried or anxious now and then is normal. It’s when it becomes chronic that it may pose a negative threat to your wellbeing.

Generalized anxiety disorder is defined by at least 6 months of excessive worrying or feeling anxious about unrelated events. Approximately 5% of adults meet the criteria for this disorder. The incidence is higher, coming in at 11% among those with coronary artery disease and 13% of those with heart failure.

It has not been established whether anxiety sets off heart disease or vice versa. It is known that chronic anxiety can change the way the body reacts to stress. This happens via hormones and physiological reactions meant to keep us safe – known as the flight or fight response.

If your fight or flight response is constantly engaged it can lead to heart issues as well as adrenal burn out which may, in turn, cause other endocrine system issues.

Anxiety can present the same symptoms as a heart attack

A panic attack is so very similar in feel to a heart attack people often mistake them. Upon a trip to the ER, you will receive a diagnosis of non-cardiac chest pain. As many as 1 in 3 people will experience this in their lifetime.

What can you do?

The best answer medical professionals have found so far is a combination of medication and talk therapy. A cognitive-behavioral therapist will help you identify unwanted thoughts and establish what is anxiety-based and what is something that genuinely needs to be looked at and considered.

Medications work as a temporary bandaid to allow you to get through tough anxiety-filled times while working through the root cause with a therapist or on your own using tools such as automatic writing, meditation, yoga, or other relaxation healing based activities.

Never ignore chest pain. It is far better to be safe than sorry. If you are in the Tampa Florida area and looking for a cardiologist we invite you to check out the physicians at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates. www.tampacardio.com 813-975-2800.

08.15.16
by

Signs of a Heart Attack

heart attack

Heart attacks continue to be the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States today.  The rate for survival increases when a person experiencing a heart attack is with someone who knows the signs. What to keep in mind is that heart attacks can differ with each person. So, the signs of a heart attack in one person might be different in another person. There are some signs that are more common than most, which we list below.

Heart attacks can occur quickly with no warning. They can also build-up gradually and with such a slow onset of symptoms that many of those who have heart attacks are not aware of what is happening until it is too late. Recognizing the signs of a heart attack is very important. Knowing what to look for can save someone’s life, maybe your own.

What for these signs and get immediate medical attention:

  • Chest discomfort – many survivors recall that the “chest pain” they experienced wasn’t exactly painful, but more lie a squeezing and full feeling with “chest pressure”.
  • Discomfort around the chest –We’ve all heard the warning sign that the left arm goes number right before a heart attack. But, in reality, anywhere around the chest can experience pressure, numbness, and pain such as the shoulders, neck, jaw, back, arms and stomach.
  • Shortness of breath – some people may experience fatigue, exhaustion, or shortness of breath and trouble breathing right before a heart attack. This symptom tends to be more common in women than in men and can actually start appearing a few months before an impending heart attack.
  • Gastrointestinal problems – although less common, some people report feeling sick to their stomach and having heartburn before a heart attack. Sometimes, they will vomit. Having this problem is actually very dangerous since you might not realize it is your heart and mistake it for the flu.

If you are concerned that you or someone you love may be at risk for a heart attack, then contact the physicians at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates today by calling (813) 975-2800, and we can get you scheduled for an evaluation with one of our cardiologists.