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Is Chest Heaviness A Symptom Of Heart Failure?
Question: Hi again. Another question about the heart.
I have this heavy feeling over the chest, and if you look at my earlier questions, I have long thought that I might have some form of heart failure.
I have always low bloodpressure, and often drop in pressure while doing physical things.
Now two days have been very bad with heavy feeling in the middle of chest, and for some reason I go pee alot this day. I also had some moisture under feet and in palms of hands. More than usual that is. After I noticed how often I go pee, I read on the net that this is a symptom as well- because the kidneys have to get rid of the water coming back. Do you think there is reason to worry?
Forgot to say. If I get a little winded- I also get heavy sensations in my lower arms. Like there is a glove over them, up to elbows. Just when I get winded. Like from just walking stairs.
I have this heavy feeling over the chest, and if you look at my earlier questions, I have long thought that I might have some form of heart failure.
I have always low bloodpressure, and often drop in pressure while doing physical things.
Now two days have been very bad with heavy feeling in the middle of chest, and for some reason I go pee alot this day. I also had some moisture under feet and in palms of hands. More than usual that is. After I noticed how often I go pee, I read on the net that this is a symptom as well- because the kidneys have to get rid of the water coming back. Do you think there is reason to worry?
Forgot to say. If I get a little winded- I also get heavy sensations in my lower arms. Like there is a glove over them, up to elbows. Just when I get winded. Like from just walking stairs.
Brief Answer:
There is nothing to worry about!
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
I am glad to discuss with you again on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms are not cardiac related. Your performed tests can confirm that you have a perfectly normal heart.
You should know that anxiety, by activating the sympathetic nervous system, can cause the heart to beat faster and stronger, increasing the speed of circulation of blood, thus leading to increased filtration in the kidneys and increased urination.
You cardiac ultrasound has excluded any possible heart failure. Besides, increased urination is not a feature of heart failure.
The heavy feeling in your chest with a lot of urination, could be related to anxiety. Have you measured your blood pressure during these episodes?
Regarding your low blood pressure, it could be related to vitamin B 12 deficiency (which has been discussed by your doctor)(explained by chronic anemia and autonomic nervous system dysfunction).
I would also recommend performing a Head Up Tilt test to exclude possible orthostatic intolerance.
Regarding the numbness like gloves in your hand they are typically caused by anxiety or physical stress. You should know that physical stress and anxiety, both activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to similar symptoms. The numbness like gloves in both hands is not a symptom of any cardiac disorder or any other serious disorder.
So you have nothing to worry about! Just relax!
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
There is nothing to worry about!
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
I am glad to discuss with you again on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms are not cardiac related. Your performed tests can confirm that you have a perfectly normal heart.
You should know that anxiety, by activating the sympathetic nervous system, can cause the heart to beat faster and stronger, increasing the speed of circulation of blood, thus leading to increased filtration in the kidneys and increased urination.
You cardiac ultrasound has excluded any possible heart failure. Besides, increased urination is not a feature of heart failure.
The heavy feeling in your chest with a lot of urination, could be related to anxiety. Have you measured your blood pressure during these episodes?
Regarding your low blood pressure, it could be related to vitamin B 12 deficiency (which has been discussed by your doctor)(explained by chronic anemia and autonomic nervous system dysfunction).
I would also recommend performing a Head Up Tilt test to exclude possible orthostatic intolerance.
Regarding the numbness like gloves in your hand they are typically caused by anxiety or physical stress. You should know that physical stress and anxiety, both activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to similar symptoms. The numbness like gloves in both hands is not a symptom of any cardiac disorder or any other serious disorder.
So you have nothing to worry about! Just relax!
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I am really pleased with how fast you answer.
So follow-up:
I took ProBNP bloodtest 6 months ago. Same with the ultrasound. Is that still "valid"?
The "numbness" in arms ONLY manifests when I do something physical, and goes away after rest. Its accompanied by almost same sensation around ears and mouth as well.
The need to pee, is just like this on days where I feel pressure on chest and feeling bad- comes with the said sweat under feet. I read that need to pee especially at night time is a sign of heart failure, because the water returns from ancles/feet while laying down- which is all I have been doing all day.
And my bloodpressure is relatively low. Between 110/70 and 100/60.
So follow-up:
I took ProBNP bloodtest 6 months ago. Same with the ultrasound. Is that still "valid"?
The "numbness" in arms ONLY manifests when I do something physical, and goes away after rest. Its accompanied by almost same sensation around ears and mouth as well.
The need to pee, is just like this on days where I feel pressure on chest and feeling bad- comes with the said sweat under feet. I read that need to pee especially at night time is a sign of heart failure, because the water returns from ancles/feet while laying down- which is all I have been doing all day.
And my bloodpressure is relatively low. Between 110/70 and 100/60.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXX
No one of your symptoms indicates possible heart failure. The main symptoms of heart failure are leg edema and increased fluid retention and shortness of breath, especially during physical activity.
Besides all your cardiac tests have excluded this disorder. They are still valuable (ProBNP and ultrasound). So relax and don't think about it any more!
All your symptoms seem to be related to anxiety.
Anyway, I would recommend performing a neck X ray study to exclude possible bulging disk in the cervical column, which could cause radicular pain or numbness during physical activity. A cervical spine MRI may be needed, if suspicions of a possible disc disorder are raised during physical activity. I would recommend consulting with a neurologist for this purpose.
Regarding your blood pressure, I would recommend checking thyroid hormone levels, blood electrolytes for possible imbalance and a Head Up Tilt test to exclude possible orthostatic intolerance.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXX
No one of your symptoms indicates possible heart failure. The main symptoms of heart failure are leg edema and increased fluid retention and shortness of breath, especially during physical activity.
Besides all your cardiac tests have excluded this disorder. They are still valuable (ProBNP and ultrasound). So relax and don't think about it any more!
All your symptoms seem to be related to anxiety.
Anyway, I would recommend performing a neck X ray study to exclude possible bulging disk in the cervical column, which could cause radicular pain or numbness during physical activity. A cervical spine MRI may be needed, if suspicions of a possible disc disorder are raised during physical activity. I would recommend consulting with a neurologist for this purpose.
Regarding your blood pressure, I would recommend checking thyroid hormone levels, blood electrolytes for possible imbalance and a Head Up Tilt test to exclude possible orthostatic intolerance.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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