Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to see if anyone had some feedback for me. I got sick at work on Wednesday afternoon with flu like symptoms. On my way home, I began vomiting. Once I was home I started having chest pain and numbness down my left arm and my face. I went to the ER and was given an EKG. My results were abnormal after being tested twice. I ended up being admitted and saw a cardiologist the following day. He compared my EKG to one I had 3 years ago and said there were changes, although didn't say what kind. He then ran another EKG which was also abnormal. I was scheduled for a stress test and echo, which I had both on Friday.

He said nothing showed up during my stress test, which is a good sign but said I wouldn't know the results of the images until they were read and sent to my family doctor. He told me not to worry and said it could just be inflamation in the lining of my heart from my RA or from an infection in my chest. That sounds like a big deal to me. Only things I know for sure, I didn't have a heart attack, stroke, or major blockage, so I'm thankful about that. I'm wondering if anyone else has had any type of heart problems or abnormal EKG's due to their RA?

Thanks!

Leslie

Hi Leslie,

Not a good time, at all, eh? I am so sorry that you went through all that. I have had abnormal EKG readings, not related to RA and then did a stress test, echocardiogram and then a very long test with nuclear medicine. Everything turned out normal. I do know that my friend, a PCP, told me that middle aged women often show weird spikes without any reason. I hope that is what they discover for you.

How have your inflammatory markers been on your last blood work? Hopefully it is not related to the RA and something simple that can be corrected with an antibiotic. when do you see your family doctor? I hope soon so you can re

Ax or start working on correcting whatever the problem is.

Best wishes for a steady recovery. Please let us know how it turns out.

Did he say the ECHO was normal? That's usually the answer if you need more testing or not...like a heart cath to show any blockage...best of luck, let us know what they decide please?

I have had abnormal EKG since I started having RA symptoms a year ago. Big problem for me.

I've had normal and abnormal EKGs. Chest pain is consistently with me, yet my stress tests have thus far been normal. Who knows..

Hello everyone,

I havent gotten the results from the echo or nuclear images they took yet. I'm assuming that will tell more. I plan to see my PCP later this week to get all of the results and go over my bloodwork. I have been having a hard time with my RA lately, though. I'm glad to know others have also had abnormal EKGs without serious problems. And it's helpful to know spikes can happen to middle aged women without a reason. The cardiologist didn't seem overly concerned, but I, of course, am worried. I'm hoping for good news and will keep you guys posted. Thanks for the feedback!

Leslie

I wake up at night with my heart racing. If i go to the ER they tell me my blood tests show that at some point previously, i've had a heart attack. I have had several nuclear stress tests and the like and have worn holter monitors on several occasions. They can find nothing. Because i also have brain lesions (a recent development) and that could mean mini-strokes, my neurologist has me take low dose aspirin.

I used to think it was hormonal (I have endometriosis), but now i think maybe it has something to do with inflammation.

When i know i'm having problems, i drink OJ or eat a banana and take aspirin. I have told them this at the ER and they said that's what they do so... if you feel stressed while waiting to see what's going on - consider keeping those things handy.

Thanks, Laura. That sounds like valuable advice. I'll have to pick up some baby aspirin. I hope you stop having those incidents or they figure out what is causing it. That has to be scary.

Leslie

Hi Leslie

Yes, I have had an abnormal EKG, it all came about when I actually went into the ER because of a diverticulitis attack. As soon as they took the EKG, my doctor was called, and I was admitted.

When I arrived at the room, I was hooked up to oxygen, and a heart monitor, and IV Meds, the next morning, I had chest pain upon any movement and when I tried to breath it hurt, so I started to hyperventilate, not a good time at all.

I was seen by a gastroenterologist for the the colon issues, pulmonologist, and cardiologist, for the heart issues and a surgeon in case surgery for the colon.

I was told that I had inflammation in the lining of the heart, and that I had pleurisy, that was the pain I was experiencing. It was a scarey experience.

The outcome was IV meds to combat the diverticulits and also I was given magnesium and other meds for the heart. They also found I had a

Mitral Valve Prolapse.

My doctor wanted me to stay on the heart meds, but I asked to be gradually weaned off them.

I had the ECHO and the Stress test. ECHO something was found but it was minor, the Stress Test was normal, so since the doc's got things under control for me, I just go for regular check ups for the heart and lungs and hope my colon cooperates, as I did not want another colon surgery...ughh.....RA continues to test us all!