Chest pains can have many causes. An ep study is an electrical evaluation of the heart and is the most definitive test overall. If your rhythm is normal during your symptoms, then it is not likely rhythm related.
In general, 2 drinks or less per day may have some beneficial effects. The benefits are usually not considered as robust as most medications and other lifestyle changes. Good job with the diet.
Drugs can have bad effects on the heart. Certainly, these should be avoided. Anytime your pulse stays elevated with symptoms, you should be evaluated by a physician.
I would suggest getting an evaluation by an internist. Thyroid problems can occasionally have such symptoms. A monitor to see what your heart rhtythm is during your symptoms may be helpful.
A 24 hour monitor may be useful to see the heart rates during your daily activities. Verapamil is a good alternative to metoprolol. Daily exercise of 40 minutes at least 5 times per week keeping the heart rate up during that time will result in a lower resting heart rate and make it more difficult to get a higher heart rate during exercise over several months.
That EKG sounds mostly normal. There are many causes of chest pain, and the heart is just one. A stress test and ultrasound of the heart are usually are good evaluations of the heart causes. An internist or gastro-enterologist can evaluate other possible causes.
If your EKG showed a normal rhythm when you had symptoms and a fast pulse rate, then this is usually in response to something else. A cardiologist or heart rhythm specialist should confirm that the rhythm was normal. Your gastro-intestinal symptoms are more the field of gastro-enterologist.
Blood from the nose from a heart attack is somewhat unusual but can be seen in severe cases. Patients who suffer deadly heart rhythms can also fall and injure themselves.
It sound like your step father has significant blockages in the blood vessels supplying his heart both the natural vessels and the bypass grafts. It also sounds like he has artery blockages in the leg and neck. The doctors may be concerned about the risk of further procedures. Having many significant blockages and a reduced pumping function of the heart is a serious condition, but people can sometimes do well with medications and diet. The doctors taking care of him or the hospital may have services to discuss his status with you if he gives permission.
Dr. Andrea Natale
Dr. Andrea Natale is a board certified electrophysiology expert and practices at executive medical director of the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center in Austin, Texas. Dr. Natale also is the Senior Medical Director at Pacific Atrial Fib and Arrhythmia Center in San Francisco. He visits MetroHealth in Cleveland, and Akron General, Ohio. He has pioneered a new circumferential ultrasound vein-ablation system to correct atrial fibrillation and performed the procedure on the world's first five patients. For further details Please visit :Link
Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy
Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, MD, F.A.C.C, FHRS. is a board certified electrophysiology expert and practices at Mid-America Cardiology and The University of Kansas Hospital Clinics in Kansas City, KS, USA. He has several distinctions in clinical and research career to his credit and serves as an associate editor for Journal of Atrial Fibrillation.For further details Please visit :Link
Dr. Dhanunjay Lakkireddy, MD, F.A.C.C, FHRS, The Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute (KCHRI), KS, USA.
Disclaimer
1. JAFIB and the invited expert reserve the right to decline any question. The question declined will not appear in the list of questions asked.
2. The questions or advice from the expert can not be considered as alternatives to your clinician's advice. This discussion is only for educational/informational use. Your EP doctor is THE person to advice you on treatment and management of your condition.
Feedback : Your suggestion on this new initiative are much appreciated. Please write to the managing editor(editor@jafib.com) about your feedback on "Meet the Expert".
