Question 1

Every time I smoke weed, I start feeling this pain in my left shoulder and arm. It began in early February, and I've been smoking marijuana since January 2016. I know I have generalized anxiety disorder, and I'm anxious about heart attacks because I heard weed can speed up heart rate. I've been to doctors many times and had several EKGs, Cardiac Enzyme Tests, and even a resting Electrocardiogram. They all said my heart's fine, and so did my cardiologist, though I never mentioned my weed use to them. The pain sometimes happens when I'm not high, but it definitely seems worse when I am. I get really in my head about this stuff when I'm high. Im aware that sudden heart attacks from weed are super rare and that lots of people over 50 use it, but I'd still like some advice on how to feel more at ease. I'm a 17-year-old male, not very active, weighing 240 lbs, and my resting heart rate is between 65 and 80 BPM.

Accepted Answer

It sounds like you may be experiencing musculoskeletal pain exacerbated by your anxiety when using marijuana. Given your history of generalized anxiety disorder and the fact that your shoulder and arm pain worsens when you smoke weed, it's important to address both the physical and psychological aspects of your symptoms. To help alleviate your symptoms and manage your anxiety, I recommend trying over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for your shoulder and arm pain. Additionally, considering your anxiety, you may benefit from therapy or counseling to address your worries and fears related to using marijuana. In terms of your anxiety about heart issues, it's reassuring that your cardiac tests have come back normal. However, it's essential to consider the impact of marijuana on your symptoms. To address your concerns about heart health while using marijuana, you may want to consider reducing or avoiding its use. It's also crucial to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and a balanced diet, to support your overall well-being. If your symptoms persist or worsen, it's important to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and management. Remember, taking care of your physical and mental health is essential. If you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to reach out for support.

Question 2

I've been dealing with anxiety since the pandemic started, and it's been causing my blood pressure to creep up to around 140100. I was on Metasartan 25mg for a while but stopped it following my doctor's advice. All my heart-related tests like TMT, ECHO, ECG, and Troponin have come back normal. I checked my blood pressure a couple of weeks ago over four days, and it was 13084, 10282, 12485, and 12082. This was after stopping the BP meds. Are these readings normal, and should I be worried? My TSH is 2, lipid total is 197, LDL is 124, triglycerides are 244, and HDL is 37. There's no family history of heart issues, and all the elders in my family are pretty healthy, with many living past 70. What do you think?

Accepted Answer

It is good that your TMT, ECHO, ECG, and Troponin tests were normal. Your blood pressure readings seem to be within an acceptable range, although it is important to monitor them regularly. Considering your lipid profile, you may benefit from lifestyle modifications such as a healthy diet and regular exercise to improve your lipid levels. In addition, since you have a history of anxiety disorder, managing stress and anxiety through relaxation techniques or therapy may also help in controlling your blood pressure. If your blood pressure continues to fluctuate or if you have any concerning symptoms, it is advisable to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.

Question 3

Hey, I just got my recent blood work back, and it's got me a bit concerned. My HDL is at 30 and LDL is really high at 240. Should I be alarmed by these numbers? I've started watching my diet about a week ago to boost my HDL and lower my LDL, but I'm wondering if that'll really make a difference. What should I expect in terms of improvement? Would love some guidance on what else I should be doing.

Accepted Answer

To help improve your HDL and lower your LDL levels, you can continue with your proper diet and also consider medication if necessary. For increasing HDL, you can try incorporating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts. To lower LDL, you can focus on a diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol, and high in fiber. Additionally, you may benefit from medications such as Atorvastatin (Lipitor) to help lower your LDL levels. It's important to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.

I've been having chest pain and got a 2D echo, ECG, blood work, and an X-ray done. The doctor said everything looks normal, but I noticed some black marks on the left side of the diaphragm in the X-ray. Could you tell me what these might be? I'm a bit concerned.

Diaphragmatic tumour,hernia,birth trauma ,surgical trauma ,thyroid disease and auto-immune disease are some of the causes..A dermatologist opinion is advised.

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