sleep apnea & anxiety & CHF

[shanelenin]

I was diagnosed six months ago with a ventricular aneurysm. CT scan showed no blocked arteries. I had myocarditis at 8 mo. old, so the doctors think I've had this for a long time despite leading a very active, athletic, asymptomatic life until now (I'm 36). I went to the ER last November with all the symptoms of a heart attack -- chest pain, shortness of breath etc. The doctors there don't think I was having a heart-attack. But isn't it possible that I did, and that the aneurysm is in fact new?

Question 2: Lately I've been waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air. I feel like my heart has stopped, I feel a warm sensation in my chest, I can't breathe, I begin to lose consciousness, then I feel a sudden release and my heart beats fast for awhile and I have a huge hangover-like headache for awhile after. And I certainly can't go back to sleep. This has happened a few times during the day too. Is this sleep apnea or an anxiety attack, and how do you rule out one over another? Prelim. results of a 30 day event monitor show no arrythmias beyond normal PVCs.

[shanelenin]

Ken, that's probably the best explanation anyone has ever given me. This helps a lot. Thanks!

[kenkeith]

A blood test can determine if you were having an acute heart attack...the relevant blood markers would be elevated showing heart cell damage.

Having blocked coronary arteries ruled out as the problem does not rule out hypoxia (low oxygen level in the blood) and that condition would have the same symptoms as ischemia (lack of blood flow due to occlusion).

Sometimes there is a congenital defect of the heart wall that separates the right and left heart chambers and there is an aneurysm and hole between the two chambers.  This hole can cause rightside blood that has not been oxygenated to mix with oxygenated leftside blood and pumped into circulation.  The condition can cause hypoxia. Many individuals have this condition since birth and there are no symptoms because the shunting is trivial.

I am connecting dots...congenital heart issue, aneursym, symptoms of heart failing to provide a good oxygeneated blood supply.  Other causes of hypoxia can be related to
to deficiet red blood cells, pulmonary artery thrombosis (clots), pulmonary emboli (clots).

Hope this helps give you a perspective, take care,

Ken