Personal Question...

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Specializes in HIV/AIDS, Dementia, Psych.

I need your input please...:)

I am a 30 year old woman, and I have had chest pain that lasts a week or so, on and off for the past 6 years. It occurs about every year and a half to two years. Every time this happens, I go to the doc and they say there's nothing they can find wrong. When it first happened in 1997, I had a complete workup including EKG, echo, stress test, holter and still nothing. I also have GERD and a hiatal hernia, so each time they blamed it on this. Today I went to the doc because of the same chest pain (burning, heavy chest, back pain, jaw pain, shoulder pain) and she said everything was normal except for a change in V1. She said if she had looked at this as my first EKG, she would find nothing wrong, but since there was a change, she wants me to see a cardiologist although she assures me that everything is fine and I need to go have an endoscopy and check my HH.

My question is, why would an EKG change? She said that sometimes this happens as you get older? Is this true? I really don't know much about cardiac, so I thought I'd ask here as I try and get an appt. with the cardiologist. Also, if any of you think there are any questions I should ask, please let me know. Thank you in advance for your help!

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Specializes in CCU/CVU/ICU.

HE73,

In order for an EKG change to be 'significant', it needs to be seen in 2 or more related leads. Also, you may want your doc to define 'change' to you. Tell/ask her to be specific as to what kind of 'change' she saw...it could very well be d/t simple lead placement/misplacement during the 12-lead!

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have you ever had an anxiety attack? could be r/t anxiety (the chest pain) just a thought.

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Specializes in HIV/AIDS, Dementia, Psych.

Well I'm off to the cardiologist in a few minutes. Thank you for the replies. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Thanks!

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Specializes in HIV/AIDS, Dementia, Psych.

Just returned from the cardiologist and wanted to tell Dinith88:

"You were right"! The leads were backwards! Well, that's a relief. I still have the pain, but I had a stress test and the doc assured me it isn't cardiac. He said it's either musculoskeletal or GI. Thanks again.

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