Can heart disease be detected just by listening to the heart?I went to the doctor last week and he told me that my heart was fine just by listening to it. I had been having anxiety attacks and I thought that they were heart-related, so everybody told me to get an EKG done. But my doc just listened to it and told me that it was fine. My father died of cardiomyopathy in his late 40's, so that's kinda what started the worrying. My brother also has epilepsy. I am a 24-year-old male...should I be worried about heart problems at my age? Or can I rest easy knowing that nothing is wrong with my heart after the doctor listened to it? Thanks!
Answer by v_vyas123
Mere anxiety attacks are not cardio related problems. The maximum anxiety can do is release hormones such as ardreanaline and serotonin that can increase the pace of your heart. I'll let you know when you should worry:
If you have breathlessness at moderate physical activity.
If you have breathing difficulties while resting.
If you have pain in the left side of your chest with some sort of radiation towards your left hand.
The syndrome pain in the chest accompanied by radiation is an angina a sign of coronary insufficiency.(decreased blood supply to the heart.)
There are following factors to consider:
At 24 unless your obese I doubt you should have any cholesterol problems.
Do you have Diabetes? If not nothing to worry about again.
Do you have high blood pressure?
As far as listening to the heart goes, you cannot detect angina or infarction(heart attack) merely by listening.
But by listening you can figure out if you have any valvular pronlems (called murmurs).
If still in doubt go ahead 4 an EKG....coz it does detect any underlying pathogenesis.
But consider the above criteria before doing so. And if it is mere anxiety/panic attacks all you need anxiolytics.
Take care.
Answer by Heart Attack Jack
I am a heart attack survivor. I go to the cardiologist about every six months. Same deal. You go in chit chat for a moment or two and he listens to my heart. Take a few deep breaths and listens some more.
I do a/c and furnace repair. Most of the time I can detect a failure by listening to the sound of the equipment. I guess it's all in what you are listening for.
Try not to worry but keep informed on your own health. Educate yourself as best you can. Ask question especially to your doctor. I go again this Friday and I'm going to make a point to ask my doctor what he is listening for.
Answer by Elmer F
Hi Tox,
Sorry to hear about your Dad, & anxiety. All that can be heard w/a stethoscope, is leaking valves, & some arrhythmias. If I had a familial history of cardiomyopathy. I would've had a complete cardiac workup done by now, by a CARDIOLOGIST. Not a negligent GP who doesn't even do a five minute ECG. Your Doctor is dismissing your complaints due to your anxiety. That's the wrong approach for both of you. That will bite him sooner or later. It may well already have. Don't let it happen w/you.
In all probability, your panic attacks are just that, w/no cardiac involvement. That doesn't mean that you don't need to be evaluated for cardiac disease NOW (while you're still young enough to do a more effective intervention, if needed). I advise you to find another GP. This one is remiss. I also advise you to seek a good cardiologist. My nursing career includes six years in cardiology. Good Luck w/everything :-).
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