Question:
I've lurked a great deal
after my husband's CABGx5 in Jan 2001.Learn much. He has made an
excellent recovery!My concern: I am having chest tightness-about 1 mo,
1 episode of minor pain. Have made appointment with cardiologist for
next week. In the mean while I am scared. Facts; Female, age 55, never
smoke, have walked for yrs, yoga for 2 yrs, excellent
diet.Meds-thyroid, allergy shots, Actonel (Prevent osteoporsis). Blood
pressure-120/70, Total cholestrol-197.No family history heart trouble
nor diabetes.I have had much stress since my spouse's surgery, also I
am the caregiver for an elderly mother. I do not deal with stress very
well, am trying to learn. This may just be anxiety. Appreciate any
comments.
Answer:
Try the support groups on www.webmd.com, especially the one moderated by
Laurie Anderson.
My husband who is the heart patient is currently enrolled in a stress
reduction workshop through a hospital program. He is quite pleased with
what he's been learning and now that I was the one to badger him into the
program, he's working on getting me to join. Being the spouse of someone
with heart disease can be very stressful and the body has a unique way of
speaking to us when we're either abusing, ignoring, or overexerting it.
The body also lets us know when stress is exceeding our ability to cope.
Racing pulses and irregular heartbeats can be the result of too much
anxiety or stress. So consider yourself lucky if you get a clean bill of
health from the cardiologist but I still wouldn't ignore what your body is
trying to say to you: which might be to take some time off for yourself --
might be a signal to learn more about stress reduction techniques. If you
sit quietly with yourself and ask your body what it is she needs, you
might get some direction as to how to take better care of yourself.
I'm no doctor but your doing all the right steps. I
know its easy to say it but the key thing is not to worry, anxiety breeds
more anxiety. The best thing you can do is to take it easy and do whatever
relaxes you, aromatheraphy with Lavendar is good. All pain has a reason, in
most cases its your body telling you slow down or simply seek advice as you
have.
What would be useful for you Cardiologist would be if you jot down what you
were doing when you get the tightness, is it always after walking/eating?
Does it stop when you sit down? Do you get a dry mouth etc..
I had months of anxiety attacks which caused tightness in my chest while
they were diagnosing my condition, and when they had the tightness and dry
mouth simply disappeared - it was purely stress.
I wish I had your Blood Pressure which is excellant for your age. I hope
all goes well next week but in the meantime relax, there is only one thing
you can do and that is to try not to worry.
