What tests do I need for full cardiac workup?

[Tennisballz]

Been having panic attacks lately.  I get dizzy and chest pain when they happen and I felt like I was gonna pass out just the other day when it happened in the store.  I went to the doctor and they did bloodwork and an ECG which came back normal.  I don't think it's cardiac related but I'm in my 40's now and I'd like to have a good solid workup to rule it out.  Should I also get a stress test and a cardiac calcium score?  The symptoms went away after I calmed down and I felt completely fine.  Later that night I worked out and felt fine as well.  I think I'm just going through a mid life crisis but any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Irongrip400]

Do you take any stims, for adhd or anything like that? Too much caffeine? Get an “executive physical” and don’t lie to the doctor. It’ll take two days but you’ll know the good bad and ugly.

[Tennisballz]

Do you take any stims, for adhd or anything like that? Too much caffeine? Get an “executive physical” and don’t lie to the doctor. It’ll take two days but you’ll know the good bad and ugly.

I stopped the coffee after I started having these episodes.  Don't take any meds and haven't taken test for about 2 years.  You'll have to excuse me but what exactly is an "executive physical"?

[Gym Rat]

I think its more of a brain chemical imbalance from what Ive read in the past.
Im probably wrong but whatever...

Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, etc..

[GymnJuice]

Been having panic attacks lately.  I get dizzy and chest pain when they happen and I felt like I was gonna pass out just the other day when it happened in the store.  I went to the doctor and they did bloodwork and an ECG which came back normal.  I don't think it's cardiac related but I'm in my 40's now and I'd like to have a good solid workup to rule it out.  Should I also get a stress test and a cardiac calcium score?  The symptoms went away after I calmed down and I felt completely fine.  Later that night I worked out and felt fine as well.  I think I'm just going through a mid life crisis but any suggestions would be appreciated.

If you don't have a lot of risk factors like diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol issues a stress test is a good place to start. They'll probably do an echocardiogram and maybe a ca score as well.

It could be like you're suggesting just some anxiety but there isn't a good test to "prove" it is anxiety that you felt. The risks of missing a heart problem are high, so even if it seems like overkill to do the test you'll at least have a baseline for comparison a few years down the road if you get retested.

[Grape Ape]

Been having panic attacks lately.  I get dizzy and chest pain when they happen and I felt like I was gonna pass out just the other day when it happened in the store.  I went to the doctor and they did bloodwork and an ECG which came back normal.  I don't think it's cardiac related but I'm in my 40's now and I'd like to have a good solid workup to rule it out.  Should I also get a stress test and a cardiac calcium score?  The symptoms went away after I calmed down and I felt completely fine.  Later that night I worked out and felt fine as well.  I think I'm just going through a mid life crisis but any suggestions would be appreciated.

Listen man, you still have 10 full months to earn a getbig award nomination.

So there is no need to be panicking before Feb is even over.

But if you can't, I suggest googling box breathing or 90/90 breath work, and try to utilize it when you feel it coming on.

[joswift]

Been having panic attacks lately. I get dizzy and chest pain when they happen and I felt like I was gonna pass out just the other day when it happened in the store.  I went to the doctor and they did bloodwork and an ECG which came back normal.  I don't think it's cardiac related but I'm in my 40's now and I'd like to have a good solid workup to rule it out.  Should I also get a stress test and a cardiac calcium score?  The symptoms went away after I calmed down and I felt completely fine.  Later that night I worked out and felt fine as well.  I think I'm just going through a mid life crisis but any suggestions would be appreciated.

did you get your electric bill?

[Irongrip400]

I stopped the coffee after I started having these episodes.  Don't take any meds and haven't taken test for about 2 years.  You'll have to excuse me but what exactly is an "executive physical"?

It costs roughly $3,500 depending on what you do, some things are “a la cart” and add to the price. It’s a two day physical with bloodwork, CT scans, stress test, x-rays, ultra sound and measurement of all organs. They’ll look for any abnormalities. I know of a guy whose life was saved because he caught cancer early enough to beat it. I had a pretty funky health scare about 5 years ago which caused me to get one done and now I’m doing them every two years. I’ll probably do one every year once I hit 55 or so. My primary care doc was like “you can get all of that done for about $200 in copays”. I told him, “yeah I understand that, but it would also take me months worth of random doctor visits, and then I’d have to wait to have you look at it all”. This way it’s an expert team of doctors and all the specialists look at their part and the doctor giving the physical meets with you to go over everything for a few hours and answers any questions you have. Some places offer concierge medicine where you pay a monthly fee like insurance and the doctor will see you in person or telehealth as needed.

[IroNat]

Been having panic attacks lately.  I get dizzy and chest pain when they happen and I felt like I was gonna pass out just the other day when it happened in the store.  I went to the doctor and they did bloodwork and an ECG which came back normal.  I don't think it's cardiac related but I'm in my 40's now and I'd like to have a good solid workup to rule it out.  Should I also get a stress test and a cardiac calcium score?  The symptoms went away after I calmed down and I felt completely fine.  Later that night I worked out and felt fine as well.  I think I'm just going through a mid life crisis but any suggestions would be appreciated.

What are you panicking about?

[LurkerNoMore]

Usually mid life crisis episodes have an underlying behind them.  Divorce, children leaving home, losing your hair, having an unfavorable medical diagnosis, etc..

Have you experienced anything that would subconsciously trigger a mid life crisis?

[OlympiaGym]

It costs roughly $3,500 depending on what you do, some things are “a la cart” and add to the price. It’s a two day physical with bloodwork, CT scans, stress test, x-rays, ultra sound and measurement of all organs. They’ll look for any abnormalities. I know of a guy whose life was saved because he caught cancer early enough to beat it. I had a pretty funky health scare about 5 years ago which caused me to get one done and now I’m doing them every two years. I’ll probably do one every year once I hit 55 or so. My primary care doc was like “you can get all of that done for about $200 in copays”. I told him, “yeah I understand that, but it would also take me months worth of random doctor visits, and then I’d have to wait to have you look at it all”. This way it’s an expert team of doctors and all the specialists look at their part and the doctor giving the physical meets with you to go over everything for a few hours and answers any questions you have. Some places offer concierge medicine where you pay a monthly fee like insurance and the doctor will see you in person or telehealth as needed.

I do most of this the cheap way that your primary care recommended. Not terrible and my wife does all the scheduling, etc. Also, $3.5K is cheap. I’ve been quoted $5K+ for these “executive wellness” programs.

Almost 28 years on gear with HBP all along, and no issues yet.

[oldtimer1]

I went through one of those comprehensive cardiac test. It's an assembly line of tests from room to room. I think one of the best is the treadmill EKG.  If you are having trouble they can see it while your are exercising. Resting EKG can be normal during rest and go hay wire under exercise.  Other important tests are the typical blood test but some don't do the calcium test or the CRP cardiac inflammation test. Both important.

[Tennisballz]

Usually mid life crisis episodes have an underlying behind them.  Divorce, children leaving home, losing your hair, having an unfavorable medical diagnosis, etc..

Have you experienced anything that would subconsciously trigger a mid life crisis?

Yes but I won’t get into the details here.  Suffice to say that there is plenty to unpack if I were to speak with a therapist.

[IroNat]

Usually mid life crisis episodes have an underlying behind them.  Divorce, children leaving home, losing your hair, having an unfavorable medical diagnosis, etc..

Have you experienced anything that would subconsciously trigger a mid life crisis?

#1 Problem: Divorce

Solution: A damn good lawyer

#2 Problem: Children leaving home

Solution:  This is not a problem.  You want them to leave.

#3 Problem: Losing your hair

Solution: Shave head

#4 Problem: All other problems

Solution: Shave head

[MAXX]

did you get your electric bill?

lol I've had the same feeling past couple of winters

[LurkerNoMore]

#1 Problem: Divorce

Solution: A damn good lawyer

#2 Problem: Children leaving home

Solution:  This is not a problem.  You want them to leave.

#3 Problem: Losing your hair

Solution: Shave head

#4 Problem: All other problems

Solution: Shave head

A good lawyer is not of any use to you if the state you are in is unfavorable.  Or if you really did fuck up and get caught and she has evidence.

Children leaving home can be a trigger as well.  You are no longer "needed".  It indicates that you are now facing your own mortality and "golden years" while they are just starting theirs.  A lot of yearning, inner reflection, and wishing you had the chance they have now again can fuck with some people. 

Some people just do not look good with bald heads.  There is a certain head shape that is ideal for being bald.  Shawn Ray had it.  The Rock has it.  Most people do not.

There are a ton of things that can suddenly come to the forefront act as triggers.  Being stuck in your job and not liking it anymore, but realizing you have invested too much time in the business and do not want to change careers so late in your life or go back to school, loss of a parent, debt, seeing other people you know more "successful".   Usually whatever the case, it helps to see a therapist.

[IroNat]

A good lawyer is not of any use to you if the state you are in is unfavorable.  Or if you really did fuck up and get caught and she has evidence.

Children leaving home can be a trigger as well.  You are no longer "needed".  It indicates that you are now facing your own mortality and "golden years" while they are just starting theirs.  A lot of yearning, inner reflection, and wishing you had the chance they have now again can fuck with some people. 

Some people just do not look good with bald heads.  There is a certain head shape that is ideal for being bald.  Shawn Ray had it.  The Rock has it.  Most people do not.

There are a ton of things that can suddenly come to the forefront act as triggers.  Being stuck in your job and not liking it anymore, but realizing you have invested too much time in the business and do not want to change careers so late in your life or go back to school, loss of a parent, debt, seeing other people you know more "successful".   Usually whatever the case, it helps to see a therapist.

F*ck off, pussy.