Submitted by Dr T on March 22, 2013 – 10:53am
Question:
I am 45m female, BMI 33, waist 100cm, sedentary lifestyle. Blood pressure and cholesterol under control with medication. Had a few episodes of extreme shortness of breath, nausea, heaviness in the chest, restlessness that becomes worse if lying down. All episodes happened at rest and one in my sleep. Went to A&E, all ECGs and blood tests normal. Echo and Stress test normal. I worry for unstable angina. Is there a definitive examination that gives an answer?
Hi Eliana
Your symptoms are entirely consistent with being severely overweight. The tests have excluded your heart (for now) as the cause. Even if your heart is OK for now, you are at considerable risk in the (near) future. You can check this here.
There is a significant risk for early Heart Failure and Coronary Artery Disease in obese patients, not to speak of sleep apnea and Pulmonarey Hypertension.
If your symptoms occur mainly when laying down, your stomach may pressing on your heart and thus impair its function as well as your ability to breathe normally. It’s time for you do something about your heart health while you still can!
Hope this helps,