Concerned about my heart - need some advice

[Blake]

Hey Guys.

About a year ago my primary care doctor suspected that I had a heart murmur but wasn't concerned. He knew that I would worry about it so he ordered an echocardiograph for my own peace of mind.

The echocardiograph came back normal but the only thing they noticed was a tiny leakage in my mitro valve. My primary care doctor wasn't concerned and told me not to worry. He said to go on living my life and not worry about it and to exercise.

Well, ever since this heart issue occurred I have been worried that something might be wrong with my heart. I'm sad to say but lately I have been experiencing a dull ache in the left breast/heart area that comes and goes occasionally. Sometimes, I feel the dull ache in the arm pit area too. Also, I do experience some acid indigestion occasionally.

I am 31 year old male in good shape, not overweight and a non smoker. I do experience some stress with my job since I work in medical sales. For the most part, I am in control of my stress with work.

I have had bouts of anxiety and depression ever since I was a child. I have never experienced anxiety related symptoms that make me feel a dull ache in my heart area until a year ago.

I am hopeful that this dull ache is anxiety related and nothing else. Just to play it safe I am going to see my mother's cardiologist for a checkup.

What do you guys think?

Thank you.

[Guest]

Hi Blake! I have a heart palpitation and was given an EKG and an echo to check for other issues. My heart doctor found an irregularity in my EKG but told me not to worry about it. My mom had this same heart palpitation for many years and takes medicine when it gets bad. I have to say that mine gets bad around the time of panic attacks or emotional distress but still doesn't bother me. I worry about almost anything and everything but for some reason, this heart problem of mine does not concern me at all. If your doctor told you that you are okay, trust him and move on. It is a lot easier said than done I know but try to erase the scary thought from your mind. Heart murmurs are normally not serious and many people have them. The pain that you are feeling may be entirely in your head. When I convince myself I have diseases such as cancer or aids or various other ones, I tend to "feel" symtpoms also. Whatever disease I obsess over, I tend to create the disease for myself... it's called hypochondria. There are many reasons for aches. You may be sore, you may have a bruise, you may have a pinched nerve, or pulled muscle. Do not assume the worste in everything because I do that and it does not do any good whatsoever. You are already at low risk for heart disease because you are "non smoker that is not overweight". You are doing everything you can to stay healthy and that is all you can do. If you need to be reassured go to your doctor again and ask a lot of questions... write down his responses and keep them in your room so you can look at the answers he gave you to reassure yourself when you're worried. Make sure to write down the part when he tells you "You have nothing to be concerned about". Hope this helps!

[Sporadic]

Blake,

See if your cardio can do a nuclear stress test. My understanding is this type of test, because of the dye injected, shows the best picture of the heart, valves, etc. I had one and was happy to get outstanding results.

[Guest]

If your mitral valve leak concerns you, ask your primary for a referral to a cardiologist. There is no reason you shouldn't get all your questions answered in a way that you can understand and be comfortable. The mystery is what's bothering you here.