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What Causes Hollow Feeling In Chest Along With Decreased Heart Rate?
My husband has been experiencing a hollow feeling in his chest accompanied by a greatly decreased pulse rate. He went to the doctor and had an EKG run which showed nothing abnormal. He then wore a heart monitor for one day which he didn t have a spell that day. He was told we wouldn t get the results back for two weeks. He continues to have spells each evening after dinner when he is relaxing. I am very worried. What should we do next?
posted on
Wed, 22 Apr 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 4 Mar 2023
Answered on
Wed, 29 Mar 2023
Last reviewed on
Hi,
A hollow feeling in the chest, along with a greatly decreased heart rate, can be a cause for concern and may indicate a potential heart condition. The fact that your husband experienced these symptoms repeatedly in the evenings after dinner, when he was relaxing, suggests that they may be related to his digestion or stress levels.
While an EKG and heart monitor test did not show any abnormalities, other diagnostic tests may be recommended to identify the cause of your husband's symptoms. For example, a stress test may be performed to evaluate his heart's response to exercise, or an echocardiogram may be ordered to examine the heart's structure and function.
Your husband needs to continue monitoring his symptoms and report any changes or new symptoms to his healthcare provider. If his symptoms become more severe or persistent, or if he experiences chest pain or difficulty breathing, he should seek medical attention immediately.
In addition to seeking medical evaluation, your husband may benefit from making lifestyle changes to manage his stress levels and improve his overall health. This can include regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress-reducing activities such as meditation or yoga.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
A hollow feeling in the chest, along with a greatly decreased heart rate, can be a cause for concern and may indicate a potential heart condition. The fact that your husband experienced these symptoms repeatedly in the evenings after dinner, when he was relaxing, suggests that they may be related to his digestion or stress levels.
While an EKG and heart monitor test did not show any abnormalities, other diagnostic tests may be recommended to identify the cause of your husband's symptoms. For example, a stress test may be performed to evaluate his heart's response to exercise, or an echocardiogram may be ordered to examine the heart's structure and function.
Your husband needs to continue monitoring his symptoms and report any changes or new symptoms to his healthcare provider. If his symptoms become more severe or persistent, or if he experiences chest pain or difficulty breathing, he should seek medical attention immediately.
In addition to seeking medical evaluation, your husband may benefit from making lifestyle changes to manage his stress levels and improve his overall health. This can include regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress-reducing activities such as meditation or yoga.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
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