Can anyone give me any info or advice?
Last week I had been experiencing some chest pain so went along to my GP hoping to be told I was a silly hysterical woman. He told me that my heart and lungs sounded fine and he thought the pain was at the joint of my ribs and breast bone. As I had broken some ribs about there a few years ago it sounded about right but he sent me for a blood test just incase.
I was called back today because two of the enzyme levels in my blood are raised. Being a typical GP he didnt give me much info and because I was so freaked out I didnt ask much (not like me at all) Basically what he said was that one of the levels is a general 'how are we doing' test and the other is for an enzyme in a muscle of the heart. He then decided that even though they are both raised that he was sure they were almost within accepted limits and all was well.
Strangely enough that answer wasnt very reasuring for me because as I pointed out he had thought them a problem when his receptionist rang me to call me back to see him so he agreed to do the test again.
The thing is this is not something I know anything about at all and with so little info its rather hard to Ask Jeeves! On the blood test form he has written 'cardiac enzymes (LDH) I looked that up but it didnt really tell me anything useful.
I know I am a silly woman for not asking him to write it all down exactly and am going for the test tomorrow. Hopefully the result will be back the next day because thats how long it took last time. In the mean time is there anyone out there who knows anything at all to enlighten me cos I am rather freaked by all this.
Thanks
RE: Cardiac enzyme levels
Not without knowing exactly what we're talking about hear. It seems GP's don't typically explain more than necessary, so you have to ask for the information. Truth is, then I would still probably have to look it up.
I think the mostly likley outcome is that the second batch of tests may well come back normal, unless you mamage to stir yourself into a frenzy in the meantime, which will definately screw up your hormones.
Best guess is that the GP's original instinct on the rib joint irritation was right in the first place, as it's not uncommon. But their guidelines advise that anyone complaining of chest pain should have the obligatory tests - just in case.
The most important thing is not to 'stress' yourself before the next test. I'm not saying that's easy, but as I say - most likely a rib that's fairly easily dealt with osteopathically.
Make sure your breathing and not holding your breath at times, and that it's thru your nose and not your mouth.
If results come back again, then get the details written down and we'll check them out.
Good luck - Andrew
I was just diagnosed with high cholesterol. I am not overweight and I am used to eat healthy foods. Now I have no idea why I get this high level of cholesterol. I do yoga everyday and take a walk whenever possible. The doctor didn't give me any information other than to change my diet and eat foods with low cholesterol. Sure, I have a few ideas. How do I know how much cholesterol is in something if the label doesn't say?
I was just diagnosed with high cholesterol. I am not overweight and I am used to eat healthy foods. Now I have no idea why I get this high level of cholesterol. I do yoga everyday and take a walk whenever possible. The doctor didn't give me any information other than to change my diet and eat foods with low cholesterol. Sure, I have a few ideas. How do I know how much cholesterol is in something if the label doesn't say?
Hi meloney,
Do you eat a lot of processed foods? Many so called healthy processed foods are not healthy at all and use certain tricks to hide things like calling salt sodium and using sugars to replace fat.
You are doing the right things to control your cholesterol, but I think you just need to look at the processed food.
Myarka.
Does your GP practice have a nutritionist at the surgery - if he does ask to be referred so that you can get dietary advice about recommended foods to eat. Are you a vegetarian?
Also did the blood test take into account HDL and LDL and triglycerides?
Unfortunately some people are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol, you may be in that category.
Love Binah
x
The test he was referring to is normally taken 12hours after a suspected MI.. When the heart has failed in some way.. the liver will release a specific enzymes that are detectable that time after. It is then followered by a angiogram and then Plasty if needed at that time.
It happened to me.. Had what I thought was Bad indegestion, but felt like a tight band around my chest.. when it then moved upwards to my neck and face, I realised that it was far worse - taken to A&E( 999 job) - B/P 254/140.. but the readouts were borderline.. so a test was done the next morning at 06:30am... and yep.. all the enzymes were raised up..
hope this helps... always best to ask for a blood test to check.
Hi
my blood test suggested enzymes were high so i was sent for a stress test done today and the ECG suggested an extra heart beat and my blood pressure dropped when i finished the test but had no pain in my chest just breathless, the specialist said he wasnt worried by the results but wants me to have another test where they will inject me with a dye and i go in a machine similar to an MRI scanner. I have been told by someone else that an ECG doesnt always show up any issues with the heart, i dont know if this is true or not. The specialist did not say if i still have to take an asprin a day and use my spray and i didnt think to ask 😮
I will have to wait and see what the next test suggests if anything.
marg :confused: