Can you explain what the x-ray report means when you say a pulmonary blockage? When is your cath scheduled for?
I wish I could post my stress test results here then you could look at it.
The Hypertension Specialist Doctor wasn't being funny. He said that I should not use Nitro. He alluded it could be damaging. He even went so far as to say it does not save anyone if they did have a heart attack - that it only alleviated the pain symptoms. He said it could all be in my head.
I told my doctors I am okay with it being in my head - just fix it. Just not with pain management practices - no covering up pain.
I saw a new doctor a few days ago. She has taken eastern medicine as well (chinese medicine). She recommends that I come see her at her private practice and have some accupuncture. She said at minamum it would alleviate some of the pain. She did an "Alternative" medicine module as an internist and she said the doctor which she followed showed her a complete different side to medicine. I'm all in for anything which is going to make the pain go away permanently without pills.
The causes of chest pain would show up on the stress test and would have been easily seen in the S-T portion of the EKG, so I would have to ask what kind of doctor was Dr A? A cardiologist? Internists are not cardiologists, so I would question his reading. Nitro works by opening up the arteries so they are more than a pain killer for the heart (I take it the doctor was being funny) The fact that you got some relief, tends to make one think that there is some kind of problems; doctors always use the response to drugs as a way of finding a diagnosis.
I should have put this as well. I had two stress tests.
Test One:
Doctor A read the report and said it was normal.
Test Two:
Internist A read the report and said it was abnormal.
Hypertension Specialist A read the same report and said it was normal - stated maybe I was not fit enough.
I am 5'7", 142lbs and slim. I lead a sedetary lifestyle (computer programmer) but I do take time out for walks and bike rides. I did before this all started.
I have not had an angiogram yet. That will be done in the new year... hopefully sooner rather than later.
My cholesterol is currently normal - 8 years ago it was a little high and was brought under control within 2 months by changing my eating habits. No more fast food for me.
If I take a nitro pill the pains subside for 15 minutes, but it doesn't work right away. The hypertension specialist told me not to take nitro pills because they mask any problem. He said they basically are a pain killer for your heart.
The Internist initially thought I had asthma. I saw an asthma specialist and had some tests done. The results were that I had borderline asthma. That is when the internist prescribed the puffers.
The pains did not subside. The internist sent me to a hypertension specialist where I saw the asthma clinic again for tests. The asthma specialist said that a 2 percent deviation from being on puffers versus not on puffers could be explained by a patient trying harder for the last test. The asthma specialist said she would not recommend any asthma medication.
One I stopped the puffers - my pains subsided by half - back to where it was before taking the puffers. However now the pain is much more constant rather than on and off.
I should state I have never smoked, and don't do drugs (including alcohol).
Have you looked into asthma?
Forget the idea of Cardiac X Syndrome; with that there is an abnormal stress test and a normal angiogram; your stress test was normal. Could the drugs cause the problems? The fact that you improved after stopping the drugs would tend to make anyone think so. See your doctor and sort this mess out.