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ECG was not quite right.

Posted , 4 users are following.

youngatheart1
youngatheart1

Hi Anyone heard of this before, I have had a virus and non stop cold etc since early January starting with tonsilitis, now have lung infection. Had chest pain in left breast and underam which started with the tonsilitis went to A&E, this was a few weeks ago said all was ok had 2 ECG's Yesterday went to gp with wheezy cough, hence the diagnosis of lung infection. still having sore underarm and chest pain not constant but on and off, did another ECG which showed up as being a bit odd, not sure what was meant by this as nurse spoke to GP, I did not get chance too, but GP said it was due to the lung infection, it should clear up after antibiotics and not to worry, but if still there in a week to go back. Today it all feels much better am on really strong antibiotics, you take 1 for 3 days so after 2nd one the pain has definitely reduced. Can virus/infection really do this to the heart of should I be asking for more tests.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • emma72855
    emma72855 youngatheart1

    Posted

    Basically yes it can.  The virus is an invader in your body and the body does everything it can to protect itself...this can mean doing unusual thing.  I had a bad case of Bronchitis last year and my ECGs were all over the place.  Once the antbiotice kicked in all y vital signs were normal.  It amzing the weirs and wonderful things the body can do. 
  • youngatheart1
    youngatheart1

    Posted

    Thanks so much for putting my mind at rest, I did wonder why the ones done earlier were ok and this one wasn't. Do feel a bit better today now the antib's are kicking in. Take care.
  • david60784
    david60784 youngatheart1

    Posted

    Hi Young Lady

    Infections can cause ALL sorts of problems. Do NOT get STRESSED. Monitor the situation, if in Doubt back to GP. All the best.

  • ian19404
    ian19404 youngatheart1

    Posted

    This appears similar to myself last year. Started New Year's day with sore throat, inflamed tonsils, streaming cold. Carried on for weeks alternating to chesty cough, etc. In the first week of March I had fever symptoms but carried-on. Thursday the same week I had what I thought was the worst bout of heartburn - together with a deep ache in my left arm. I took antacids and (coincidentally) it subsided. 3am the next morning it came back (Rennie's antacid tablets made no difference). Eventually I called NHS 111 and explained the symptoms... 8 minutes later the paramedics arrived.

    Their portable ecg showed "inverted T wave", which they suspected was a heart attack. At the hospital, a blood sample showed v. high troponins (>2000) - again indicative of heart attack (troponins = heart enzymes released when cells die). An echo-cardiogram showed something "unusual".

    I then had an angiogram - which was clear. I had just turned 46, fairly fit, not overweight, never smoked. It was hard for me to accept I was a candidate for a heart attack!

    I had an awful first night on the ward - but it was my breathing, not chest. Saturday I was eventually diagnosed with pneumonia and given i.v. antibiotics. Up until being admitted I had been popping ibuprofin for my "bit-of-a-cough" which was keeping symptoms at bay.

    It was nearly a week later when I had an MRI - leading to a diagnosis of myocarditis, or inflammation/damage of the heart muscle - usually caused by a virus.

    I believe I have fully recovered, but have a 1 year checkup in two weeks.

    Did anyone take a blood sample (when you were having chest pain) to check for troponins?

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 ian19404

      Posted

      Hi Ian, yes they did but nothing showed, To be honest they were so busy I was left in reception for 4 hours and ignored still with catheter in wrist. Said they would need to wait 12 hours after on set of pains to diagnose heart attack they did 2 ECG were both fine so I left the hospital after 4 having no results, but today went back again with banging heart beat and they didn't another ECG and they said I have an extra heartbeat sometimes, nothing serious apparently and the pain is from coughing so much. It has been made worse as I had a reaction of the antibiotics. I asked about results from A@E and she said all ok. So will try to stop worrying. Good luck at your check up.
  • ian19404
    ian19404 youngatheart1

    Posted

    I think my troponin count came back within an hour or two (it's hard to remember - I was on morphine), but I understand they can be detected for a couple of days after a heart-damaging event (e.g. MI) - so please take comfort from that if your count was normal/negligible.

    I'm sorry you are still having symptoms, but I agree with the others here; listen to your body, take it as easy as you can, make healthy choices, and try not to worry unduly.

    Hope you feel better soon!

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