What can cause severe chest pain that is not a heart attack?

[TPH123]

Mr. Uncle is in the hospital about every other week with severe chest pain that doctors can’t seem to diagnose. He has been to several doctors but none have been successful in treating him. His blood pressure drops quickly, he becomes short of breath, and has severe chest pain that requires morphine. He had a heart attack several years ago but this started happening just about a year ago and is getting worse. Any ideas what to do next?

[ayl291]

Did he have surgery on his heart after the heart attack?

[TPH123]

Yes but no pain for years afterward. They went back in a week ago but only found his heartbeat was irregular. They corrected that but he is back in hospital again with chest pains and now he presents with low blood. They have him some but it was low again the next day. I guess now he is bleeding internally somewhere. So it continues...

[ayl291]

Has any one checked his diaphragm and possible paralysis from the original surgery?

[SassyLassie]

Hello~It sounds like a form of angina, has he had any echocardiograms done? Also, sometimes, if the heart-beat is irregular, symptoms like this can be experienced, especially with A-fib. I would definitely see another cardiologist if possible and ask for the echo and to wear a king of hearts heart monitor, this will pick up any abnormalities that are going on while he is wearing it.

We have a wonderful heart forum here, I am going to recommend that this post be transferred over to them, they will probably be able to give you some more information as well.