Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Heart attack misdiagnosed as pericarditis?

I went to the ED a while back for flu-like symptoms and fever after a surgery. They admitted me due to elevated troponin levels (243) and tachycardia at rest (118bpm). I had an EKG, echo, and chest xray, but was only told they looked "fine". I was eventually discharged with the one word diagnosis "pericarditis," no meds, and no explanation or plan other than to follow up with mt PCP.

At my follow-up, I was told I had an enlarged heart and decreased ejection fraction, and that we'd "keep an eye on it." Nothing has been mentioned since and there was no elaboration.

Anything more than general getting around has my heart rate shooting up to the 160s and leaves me exhausted. I've been having palpitations; my heart skips beats and I get a fluttery, empty feeling in my chest that leaves me lightheaded.I'm tired all the time. Is it possible I had a heart attack that was missed? I've read heart attacks, enlarged heart, and pericarditis can read similarly on EKGs.
0 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community

Top Heart Disease Answerers
159619 tn?1707018272
Salt Lake City, UT
11548417 tn?1506080564
Netherlands
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.