Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 23-year-old male. I have been to the emergency room three times in the last five days due to chest pain, shortness of breath, light-headedness, and palpitations. Nothing abnormal has been found so far. I have undergone an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, and blood tests. Even though all the results are normal, I am extremely anxious about the possibility of sudden cardiac arrest.
I continue to experience chest pain, discomfort, and palpitations on and off. I notice the palpitations more at night. I am very scared that I might suddenly collapse or die. I just returned from the emergency room again tonight. Kindly help me understand whether I need to worry or if I am safe after these tests.
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Did you experience chest pain while undergoing the electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram (ECHO)? It is unlikely to be cardiac-related chest pain, and the symptoms are most probably associated with anxiety. Are there any gastric symptoms such as bloating, burping, epigastric heaviness, or constipation?
The probability of a heart attack is very low at this age. The nature and progression of pain during a heart attack are entirely different. In addition, pain due to coronary artery disease typically increases with exertion and improves with rest. Do you have any addictions? Kindly answer these questions so that appropriate guidance can be provided.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I am experiencing some gastric discomfort. I went to the emergency department with a strange feeling in my chest and perceived palpitations. I am terrified of sudden cardiac arrest. I also sometimes feel a sharp, nerve-like pain in my little finger, which seems to radiate to my chest.
I do not know if I experienced pain at the exact moment of the tests, as the symptoms come and go, but the echocardiogram was normal. I also experience some long-term breathlessness, which the doctor believes is related to anxiety.
I am quite anxious. I am more worried about sudden cardiac arrest than heart attacks. Does the echocardiogram rule out serious problems?
Kindly advise.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Sudden cardiac arrest does not occur only as a result of a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Considering your normal test results, the possibility of any heart disease as the cause of these symptoms or sudden cardiac arrest is very low.
Such nonspecific, off-and-on pain is rarely related to the heart. I recommend staying calm. You may take some antacids, such as calcium carbonate, for gastric discomfort. Keeping yourself engaged with some work or activities may also help reduce anxiety.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you. Is there nothing to worry about regarding palpitations and other symptoms? Does an echocardiogram rule out most problems? If the emergency doctors are not worried, does that mean nothing is wrong?
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
An echocardiogram (ECHO) does not rule out everything, but it can rule out many diseases, such as structural heart disease. When combined with a normal electrocardiogram (ECG) and nonspecific symptoms, the probability of any significant heart disease is low. The majority of causes of palpitations are psychological rather than physical.
Abnormal palpitations are usually associated with dizziness, loss of consciousness, severe breathlessness, or are sudden in onset and offset. Therefore, the emergency department (ER) doctors must have considered all these factors. Is there any particular factor that triggered these symptoms?
For additional reassurance, you may request a repeat consultation with a cardiologist. For gastric discomfort or anxiety-related symptoms, you may take a generic antacid, such as calcium carbonate.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I experience some chest pain that feels like pinching, and I also experience breathlessness and dizziness, but these symptoms do not occur only with palpitations.
Kindly advise.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Pinching pain is usually not cardiac in origin. Cardiac pain is typically dull, aching, and diffuse in nature. It classically occurs during exertion and is relieved with rest. It usually persists for at least a few minutes. Dizziness and shortness of breath associated with palpitations may indicate an arrhythmia, but when these symptoms occur in isolation, they are usually not due to an arrhythmic cause.
I hope this information is helpful.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
The dizziness occurs randomly and often feels more like a sense of wooziness. Although it can occur with palpitations, it does not always do so, and palpitations often occur without dizziness or other associated symptoms. My doctor has assured me that an echocardiogram (ECHO) and the individual electrocardiograms (ECGs) I have undergone are sufficient, but I am not fully convinced.
The breathing issues I experience are long-term and have been present for several years. The doctors have not specifically evaluated my heart for this issue, but they believe it is related to anxiety.
Kindly advise.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
This does not appear to be significant. Considering the nonspecific nature of the symptoms and the low level of suspicion based on the clinical presentation, a normal electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram (ECHO) are sufficient for evaluation.
I hope this information is helpful.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
With a normal electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and blood tests, would you be comfortable saying that everything is fine and that anxiety is the likely cause of these symptoms?
Kindly advise.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Yes, considering the entire scenario.
I hope this was helpful.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
So, there is no need for any more emotional distress or sleepless nights worrying about sudden cardiac arrest.
Kindly advise.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Yes, no need to worry about it. Please get back to me if you have further doubts.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Will cardiac arrest not happen?
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Nothing supports the possibility of it. So no point in worrying about it.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Isn't the risk incredibly low?
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
It is low. Please calm down and take care.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you.
Was this conversation helpful?
Answered byDr. Sagar Ramesh Makode
Medically reviewed byDr. Sushrutha M.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Related Questions
Severe heart palpitations in a 20-year-old man. What can be done?
Anxiety is every day of my life. Rarely I do get a small break without anxiety. It has been 10 years.
Chest pain since 15 days. ECG & TMT reports are normal. What could be the problem?
Why are palpitations occurring even after pacemaker implantation?
Can chest pain have other reasons than heart attack?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder(GAD)
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.
