Symptoms but cardiology not concerned
For over 3 years, I’ve had on again off again symptoms that can include brief sharp pinches (1-30ish seconds, usually I can almost poke the spot), chest discomfort, occasional palpitations/skipped beats, and sometimes short of breath feelings. Some of it seems position or movement related at times, and sometimes it’s totally random, some anxiety related maybe, obviously it still scares me.
I’m a 30M, 74 inches tall, 225lbs, very active, currently on 25mg metoprolol for symptom control of some palpitations. No family history of any heart issues.
I’ve had a a pretty extensive cardiac work up over the last 3.5 years:
- 3 cardiac MRIs
- 3 CCTAs / coronary CTs
- 3 exercise/treadmill stress tests
- A recent EP study
-a few pulmonary labs and tests
- 3 external heart monitors
- currently have an implanted heart monitor
- multiple ER visits which did ECGs, chest X-rays, labs, etx
Both primary doctors and cardiologists have said everything looks pretty good. One even joked that I’ve quite literally had a million dollar workup lol.
The only thing that’s ever really come up is that my right ventricular is mildly dilated and EF may run a little on the lower side, but I’ve also been told that can be seen in bigger/more athletic people and that my imaging otherwise has been reassuring. My heart monitor showed some possible sinus tacacardyia while running, but episodes were brief and have almost disappeared with 25mg metoprolol.
Despite me being scared, doctors don’t seem concerned. Some of this may be anxiety and health anxious, but it’s hard when I’m feeling very real symptoms of occasional chest pain, feeling air hungry, or occasional heart flutters. Not really sure what to do next.
A few questions I have:
- Has anyone had a similar level of symptoms with a very reassuring workup or a conclusion?
- How do you distinguish anxiety vs costocondritis vs nerve/muscle pain from something truly cardiac?
- If you’ve dealt with health anxiety, what helped you stop treating every sensation like an emergency?
I’m a bit embarrassed by all the ER trips, and wish I could distinguish between something cardiac vs trivial