Question 1

I'm 26 and a few months back, I had a fever that went away in a week. Then, out of nowhere, my heart rate shot up to 144 bpm, and I felt like there was an air bubble in my chest. I got an ECG done, which showed minor ST and T wave abnormalities, and I'm attaching it here. Now and then, I still get these episodes. While my 2D echo and blood pressure are normal, I've been dealing with random chest pains that last just a secondsometimes on the right and then on the left. My stomach feels upset too, and I get really gassy during these times. I'm confused about what might be causing these ECG changes. Curiously, I never feel chest pain when jogging or exercising, only when I'm at rest. Different doctors have told me different things; some say it's normal, and others think it might be gas. What's really going on here? Should I be worried about these ECG changes?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms you are experiencing, along with the ECG changes showing minor ST and T wave abnormality, could be indicative of a condition called Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs). PVCs are extra heartbeats that begin in one of your heart's two lower pumping chambers (ventricles). They may feel like a fluttering or a flip-flop in your chest. The sensation can be triggered by certain activities, emotions, or medications. To help manage your symptoms and reduce the occurrence of PVCs, you can try taking over-the-counter medication such as **Propranolol (Inderal)** at a dosage of 10-30 mg three to four times a day. This medication can help regulate your heart rate and reduce the frequency of PVCs. Additionally, you can try to reduce stress and anxiety through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises or yoga. It is important to follow up with a cardiologist for further evaluation and management. They may recommend additional tests such as a Holter monitor or an event monitor to capture your heart's activity over an extended period. This will help determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and guide appropriate treatment. In the meantime, try to avoid triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, which can exacerbate PVCs. Stay hydrated, maintain a healthy diet, and get regular exercise to support your heart health. If you experience severe chest pain, dizziness, or fainting spells, seek immediate medical attention.

Question 2

What is a heart cough?

Accepted Answer

Heavy breathing accompanied by spells of wet cough with frothy sputum that may be tinged with blood is called as "Cardiac cough or Heart cough". It is a sign of congestive heart failure. Additional symptoms such as shortness of breath on exertion or rest, leg swelling, waking up from sleep in the middle of night gasping and coughing differentiate heart cough from cough due to lung conditions.

Question 3

I've been experiencing this tightness in my chest whenever I do surya namaskaram and, for the past two days, I've been having frequent burping and indigestion. Sometimes when I breathe, there's this pain on the left side of my chest. A few months back, I had an ECG done, and the doctor said it was normal. I've been doing yoga for a month now, and I'm just wondering if this is something serious? How do you think it can be treated?

Accepted Answer

You may be experiencing symptoms of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can cause chest tightness, frequent burping, indigestion, and chest pain. It is good that your ECG was normal, but it is still important to address your symptoms. You can try over-the-counter antacids like Tums or Rolaids to help with the indigestion and chest pain. Additionally, you can take medications like omeprazole (Prilosec) or ranitidine (Zantac) to reduce stomach acid production. It is also helpful to avoid spicy, fatty, or acidic foods, eat smaller meals, and avoid lying down right after eating. If your symptoms persist or worsen, it is important to follow up with your doctor for further evaluation and management.

When should we check BP?

The first measurement should be in the morning before eating or taking any medications, and the second in the evening.

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What is a heart cough?

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