(1) Mid-March 2011 started experiencing chest discomfort (pressure) center of chest just below sternum.
(2) April 2011. The pain steadily increased and was constant - it can be somewhat alleviated by pressing just below the sternum. My GP did check up said everything looked fine but sent me off for blood test and EKG that day. All tests were normal.
(3) Long story short: Since April of 2011 I\'ve made 6 ER visits (no 24 hr stays) at a grand total of about $11,000 for what I thought was indicative of angina. All tests were normal: blood markers, EKG, blood O2 saturation, BP (120s/70-80 after 3rd measurement and calmed down) pulse (~ 40-50 bpm) etc. During one ER visit I had a Doppler echocardiogram stress test. Performed in the top 1% for 18 yo (I was 42). My total cholesterol in July 2011 after a 12 hour fast was 152 with LDL at 83 & HDL 40s, CRP was good, triglycerides were around 150 I think, glucose was about 90, homocysteine was mid range. Hospital cardiologist and referred cardiologist (2 visits) both concluded no problems based on evidence and physical. In July 2011, during 2nd office visit, the referred cardiologist suggested but didn\'t insist on an angiogram. I declined.
(4) During the last 15 months the dull pain has been persistent (symptoms have included occasional numbness in right or left hand/foot if I leave them in one position for too long - sometimes on awaking, light but sharp pain in center chest and back at top of inhale and bottom of exhale, infrequent slight pain in left bicep area, dull pressure in head but not a headache quality - I\'ve never had a headache, appearance of R & L temple blood vessels, rare ringing In left ear). Disenchanted with conventional toximoleclar medicine and invasive tests, I sought out various natural alternatives since that\'s my MO anyway. E.g. 10 IV EDTA chelation treatments, daily high dose (+30,000 mg) Vit C & lysine adjusted for body weight (I\'ve also used 3 containers of HT Cardioaide and A-9 in the last 2 months (March-April 2012), and the protocos/methods of Drs\' Ornish, McDougall, Essylsten, Garry Gordon, Andrew Saul, Hoffer, and of course Pauling/Rath. None of these approaches, combined!
or separate have entirely releaved symptoms. I\'ve literally spent thousands out of pocket.
Okay, stats: 43 yo, 5\'-7\", 147 lbs, good BMI, 29\" waist, no real history of heart disease in family - father had MI 20 years ago at 59 yo followed by 3-bypass and has done okay since when considering he\'s done no lifestyle changes, exercise regularly sim to P90X routine.
I guess I\'d like to know if you have any suggestion/s as I\'m convinced in the efficacy of orthomolecular medicine, esp. Pauling & V-C, but it\'s becoming increasingly time consuming and way too expensive (I have a family to support). I\'m also a little irritated/disappointed that I haven\'t experienced some positive improvement similar to others regardless of \"results may vary\".
R,
Tom
My first reaction given the lab results and the amount of vitamin C consumed is that the pain is not related to cardiovascular disease. I am very interested in Johnwen's opinion. I'll reread your email, think about this and revise and extend my remarks later.
In the meantime, what meds and supplements do you take regularly? I am interested in your magnesium
intake. There are muscles that surround the arteries that "squeeze" the artery for various reasons,
e.g. the fight-or-flight response. Magnesium and arginine may be able "relax" these muscles, increasing
blood flow.
Another random thought. I remember reading that a very high percentage of ER visits for apparent heart attack or chest pains are false alarms. I'll try to find the reference, but I believe that many are due to something like GERD or indigestion. Pains that are commonly mistaken for chest/heart pain.