Thoughts: Chest Pressure Intermittently During Runs (Read 140 times)

Experiencing Chest Pressure. Happened a month ago in a marathon. Then it happened on a couple recovery runs the next few days.  I went to see a Doctor. Had EKG done, and a Cardiolite Treadmill Stress Test. Cardiac Specialist told me all is well, normal dispersion, and I can continue running.  I was put on Prilosec in case it was reflux and I have taken now for about 1 month. But the "chest pressure" continues.

It typically manifests itself about 1 to 1.5 miles into my runs. My average run is anywhere from 7 to 10 miles. It has not happened during any hard training such as Yasso 800's. It has happened in 1 marathon, and in quite a few easy paced shorter runs. It has also happened on occasion during my routing 9-10 milers.

When it happens, it feels almost like a anxiety attack. Hands go numb and tingle, my fore-arms feel heavy, Sometimes my feet tingle, and my legs feel heavy.  Then there is pressure behind the breastbone. Nothing in my shoulders, and I dont feel light-headed. I do have occasional anxiety. I take Prozac for an eating disorder. But I have been very stable for more than a year, Im eating healthy, and my prozac dosage remains the same as it has for quite some time.

Any ideas or thoughts? Could a cardiolite stress test have missed something? I'm perplexed.

I have no idea what this could be, but you might want to have another stress test. If you are running significant distances, including marathons, the short time running on the treadmill that is the norm for this test may not be truly stressing you. You may want to run some fast miles before showing up for the test or run longer and harder during the test to get a true stress reading. Just a thought. This is what an older guy from my running club does to make sure he's getting good feedback from the test.

I do not know what cardiolite means, so let me just ask, did you have an echogram immediately after the stress test?

I wondered this, too.

I was looking for more of a definition, other than that it is used in conjunction with a nuclear stress test. I guess where I was going with this, is that if you had the stress test, did they then do an echo or sonogram, which would show cardiac problems.  But in any case, Cookie is entirely correct.  You must get back to your cardiologist and tell him or her of these symptoms at once.  This forum is no place for diagnosis.  (Triple bypass, artificial aortic valve guy speaking here!)  Spareribs

I know someone who had passed an EKG/stress test, which he got done because of issues with his chest. Not long after he had a major heart attack.

A couple years ago, someone else on here related their running partner describing similar symptoms early in runs. Later in the run their running partner fell and died of a heart attack.

It could be asthma or even nothing, but I'm with the whole hold off on running and get this checked out thoroughly crew here.

Cardiolite is used in conjunction with a nuclear stress test.

 

OP, these are questions you need to be asking of your PCP and cardiologist. Chest pain is cardiac until proven otherwise. Random internet strangers cannot help you.

 

Go back to your doctors. Pronto.

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