I Have Taken ECG Is There Anything To Worry Now?

Posted on Fri, 4 Apr 2025

Question: Hi sir I am 29 ye old male having a height of 165 cm and weight of 78 kg. I am having cholesterol in the range of 200 to 250 and taking rozavel 5 for the last 5 years. Recently I have suffocation problems in between, sometimes even when lying on the bed also I am having this problem. First I have noticed when climbing a hilly area with mask on the face. Even now I am writing this question I have that suffocation feeling. Is it because of heart related problems. I have undergone 2d echo and TMT in the year 2016 and all was normal. I have taken ECG last in December 2019. Is there anything to worry now. Any need of urgent heart checkup

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
This can be heart /digestive disorder.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Nandesh,
Thanks for the query. I understand your concern.

* I feel the basic problem you have lies in high cholesterol with overweight...&Digestive problem(IBD) as mentioned in your past query).
The main concern is suffocation after exertion as well as in a lying position

Heart-related breathing problem is breathlessness with shallow breathing lightheadedness...
more on exertion...along with palpitation(increased heartbeats).

*You have high cholesterol & more bodyweight...so you are prone to heart problems by developing a blockage in heart blood vessels(coronary insufficiency)

Though your symptoms do not directly indicate coronary insufficiency...I would suggest-
- To stay in touch with heart specialist regularly&also get investigated to confirm /exclude coronary insufficiency by ECG&Stress test as per need.

Start with heart-friendly exercises regularly along with more stress on lipid control&weight reduction under expert care(heart doctor, dietitian & physiotherapist) for prevention.

*In my view your present suffocation can be due to digestive problems...thus producing excess gas & bloating in the abdomen to push the chest cavity and cause suffocation.

Please concentrate on the treatment of your digestive problem. Consult a gastroenterologist for this.

Thus with careful evaluation of the problem under expert care..you would definitely come to conclusion:& start with suitable specific management.

Hope that helps. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
TMT only if indicated after cardiac check up(with due care)

Detailed Answer:
Hi Nandesh,
Thanks for the follow up query.
TMT testing is to confirm/exclude coronary involvement...
I feel you should exclude it, before you decide to go for basic problems...which are the causative factors for your issue.You can consult a cardiologist ,get yourself throughly examined..
get your simple ECG testing done..specifically after a walk...when you start getting breathing problem .This would give preliminary information about your heart healthThe doctor would then tell you about how urgently you would need TMT test.(If needed,it can be undertaken with all Corona precautions)
Once you are carefree of heart problem..your cholesterol&weight management can be done without anxiety.
I hope that makes your doubt clear
.Any follow up query is still welcome
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (7 hours later)

Thank u so much once again for your detailed reply. One thing I want to clarify from you. As I mentioned in the first question I have undergone 2d echo and TMT in 2016 and everything was normal. Before consulting you I have consulted one more doctor through an other online platform. And he said that as my TMT results in 2016 was completely normal, there is no need to panic and there is very less chance of developing a major heart block in 4 years. Madam, may I know what that doctor said is medically true. Thanks

Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (0 minute later)

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is possible in absence of any risk factors for cardiac ischemia.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Nandesh,
Thank you for follow up query.
Nandesh.the advise given by another doctor about no risk of heart ischemia in 4years..after a normal TMT test..can be correct..only in case there is no risk factor present at the test OR no risk factor appears in following 4years .
The risk factors include high cholesterol, over weight,high blood pressure or diabetes.
*As you had high cholesterol &over weight..along with recent suffocation ,I had advised to consult a cardiologist...get TMT test done if cardiologist advises & start dong efforts for weight loss(with diet &exercises) .
I hope you got the point.Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng