I'm a bit concerned that I can't tell if I'm having a heart attack!!?

These are useful and collceted by GERD!

I'm a bit concerned that I can't tell if I'm having a heart attack!!?My dilema is that I have GERD and CAD. Current hx is that I had to have 3 stents placed in the LAD 3 yrs ago after having a cardiac exam to get clearence for gall bladder surgery. To my best knowledge, I never experienced a "heart attack" although the tests indicated that I did. I also have a long hx of arrythmias and more recently dx'd w/metabolic syndrome. I did have what I thought was a gall bladder attack and with the fact that I was on GB meds and had small stone formations w/sludge(great terminology...LOL) I was certain it could have been only that. Being it wasn't the classic symptoms of severe chest pressure w/radiating neck and arm pain, it was more sharp, substernal pain, much like really bad gas or constipation pain, that seemed to radiate to the back, right side. Anyway, after dancing around the house for almost 2 hrs and every GI med taken that I could find, it finally subsided. My Dr labeled it a "widow maker heart". So if I'm asymptomatic but have GERD sx's, what to do?

-bryanna2711
Go to the ER. You have a heart condition and the symptoms of a heart attack! Please do not waste anymore time. Good Luck! Oh yeah, DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF!!!!!

-Barbara F
It depends upon your past history and even your gender. If you are female, then you may not have typical sypmtoms. Same if you'r diabetic or elderly. Your first sypmtom of cardiac may be back pain or sleeplessness. If you are diabetic or elderly, then it may be that you are short of breath and can't catch your breath. Women do not have typical chest pain, but this does just mean that if they do not know this, then it gets blown off as stomach related. So their discovery of Chest pain is late and they may suffer more lasting and permanent heart damage because of it.
( I teach this stuff to nursing students, my credentials are both RN and Masters of nursing.)

-maria a
1st have a nitroglycerin and aspirin handy to be taken ASAP WHEN YOU experience this heart discomfort THEN CALL 911 (don't drive) STAT. Tell them you have chest pain and shortness of breath. WE can't take chance. I'm a survivor that's why I know. Good luck.

Helpful answer below. GERD — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment, diet issues of this acid reflux disease.

---

Orignal From: I'm a bit concerned that I can't tell if I'm having a heart attack!!?