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Hello. Today I Experienced A Scary Episode Of Something I’ve

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Posted on Sat, 6 Apr 2019
Question: Hello. Today I experienced a scary episode of something I’ve had happen for years but it usually passes quickly. I have CHF so I am worried it’s my heart. My side rib cage and shoulders and back feel sudden pain as in a cramping sensation. Then I get short of breath and slightly nauseous. Eventually like in a minute or two it subsides and I break out in a cold sweat. I’m told I look very pale when this occurs. When it happens I drink water and take deep breaths and sit down if I’m not already sitting. This has happened for over ten years but sporadically. Like once every month or so. No dr has ever been able to explain it. Heart. Medication side effect. Today was the worst ever today the pain woke me from sleep around 37 am and was all over my torso and neck and back and down my arms. It would last about 5 minutes and then another would happen about a half hour later on and on for 4 hours. I took Tylenol and water and slept. I am on Carvedilol, eliquis, spirolactone, escitalapram, levothyroxine,ranitidine,furosemide, vitamin, d vitamin.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this

Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. Applegate,

This sounds like an episode of angina - your heart muscle not getting enough oxygen.

Does it show up on EKGs during or after the fact, as heart strain, "S-T elevations"?

Have you had a cardiac catheterization recently, or a stress test?

Pain waking you from sleep, lasting 4 hours, and being the worst you've had ever needs to be evaluated. Have you been in contact with your cardiologist with this current episode? Even if past episodes have been considered benign, what you had today may represent unstable angina and should be looked into promptly.

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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Hello. Today I Experienced A Scary Episode Of Something I’ve

Brief Answer: Thoughts on this Detailed Answer: Hello Ms. Applegate, This sounds like an episode of angina - your heart muscle not getting enough oxygen. Does it show up on EKGs during or after the fact, as heart strain, "S-T elevations"? Have you had a cardiac catheterization recently, or a stress test? Pain waking you from sleep, lasting 4 hours, and being the worst you've had ever needs to be evaluated. Have you been in contact with your cardiologist with this current episode? Even if past episodes have been considered benign, what you had today may represent unstable angina and should be looked into promptly.