I had a "second" opinion with a cardiologist. The 2nd opinion doctor

[onecent]

even went so far as to tell me "You will never die from a heart attack"...I wanted to ask him if he'd put that in writing.

I've had several panic attacks (very similar to a heart attack) and I went to the emerg. room 3 times because of these in FEb. and March and April of 2005. Men doctors tend to think there "is a stigma attached to a panic attack". It's the worst thing I have ever experienced. I'm 60 years old need to lose 30 lbs and upon exertion (up or down stairs) my chest feels VERY heavy and I have palpitations.

I know I'm not imagining this as my heart is beating faster, my breathing is heavy and my friends also notice the straing I appear to be under. My body "tells me that something is not right". I take high blood pressure meds and god knows they have tried to get me on drugs I don't want to be on.

For the panic attacks they gave me antidepressants (I'm NOT depressed)
Actually I'm NOT a pill person and have a hard time taking all this shit they expect me to take. Beta Blocker, High Blood Pressure, Ativan for panic attacks, Zoloft for depression.

I was only on one HB pressure med at Christmas.

Just a rant....Don't think I can get a 3rd opinion, (2nd opin dr didn't even RE-Test me, just took all the tests from the 1st doctor.

Rank over....
Thanks for listening.

[blondeatlast]

1. somehow, some way, find yourself a doc who'll give you a stress test.

I'm FORTY-SIX, and I have had 7 coronary stents. (I've had insulin-dependent diabetes since age 7).

Many doctors don't realize that women's cardio symptoms are not similar to men's in most cases. Often women don't present with ANY symptoms; they just know they feel crappy--that's how it happened with me.

I had similar symptoms as tyours prior to having the first angioplasty. I ended up in the ER, by ambulance. By the time I got to that point, there wasn't any doubt that I had some arterial blockage.

Try to find a female cardio. I have a female primary care physician, so she made an excellent advocate for me.

Take care and let us know how it's going. :hug:

[Sgent]

2. Beta blockers and Zoloft

are both used (amongst other reasons) to help prevent panic attacks / reduce general anxiety.

For instance, most ppl with high blood pressure are usually first perscribed a diuretic. However, they probably went with a beta blocker since its known to interfere with general anxiety -- and works miracles for some. GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) can also be well treated in some people with drugs that hit the seratonin amounts in your brain -- something zoloft does. Paxil was the first drug to recieve FDA approval for treatment of anxiety. However, other's have much the same effect.