Are Minor Heart Attacks Common Among Ostomates?

So I have had to go to the GP today as I've been under a lot of stress and anxiety over the last week with the intention of restarting my antidepressants to seek help before crisis point.

They examined my chest and obs and asked what other symptoms I was showing. I have been getting a slightly tight chest feeling and a little stabbing pain, nausea, and a little dizziness, but I put it down to anxiety as I've had some bad news this week and I've been dealing with that. She thinks I might have had a minor heart attack and referred me to have an ECG this week or go to A&E if the pain worsens.

Is this a common risk amongst ileostomates, or is this something separate?

Mr B

I think this is a separate issue. It wasn't one of the risks that were explained to me, and I have no problems.

However, I can't remember why you have a stoma, but if you had chemo, that is a risk factor for heart problems. I had a friend whose wife died of a heart attack after aggressive chemo for breast cancer.

No, I had UC and had my large intestine removed. No chemo.

Just seems I get back up and life wants to knock me back down again. I'm awaiting a more in-depth ECG, so I'll see.

I can understand how you feel. You have been through a hell of a lot. Hoping that your heart is fine and that your other issues will be resolved quickly.

My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister

Aww, that sounds really frustrating for sure. I feel like sometimes anxiety attacks could feel like a mini heart attack, so it could just be anxiety, like you said. Getting it checked by a cardiologist just to be sure sounds like a good idea too.

She sounded more serious than it being an anxiety attack. I've had those for years on and off, and I've never felt nausea or dizziness with them. It's a worry for sure.

If it were me, I would be going to A&E now; better to be on the safe side. Something separate in my view, but I'm not medically qualified; better to discuss with your doctor. All I can say is I've had an ileostomy for 37 years and have never had any heart problems. I did have a stroke while undergoing life-saving surgery just over 20 years ago.

They said it would only be a minor one, one that wouldn't require heart surgery caused by acute stress. It's like a weakening of the muscle, similar to a pulled calf, etc. They just need to make sure the rhythm is still regular and constant, and it will heal given time.

It's shot my confidence in doing the 10k next year, but we'll see what happens.

I don't think that is a normal occurrence for anybody. An NSTEMI, a minor heart attack, could be the precursor for the big one, a STEMI. Amazing, scary-sounding names, probably intended to achieve that effect, many similar ones in medical jargon. Much better to take any problem with the ticker, like breathlessness or even slight pain, seriously and seek medical assistance. Best wishes.

Yeah, I'm having the ECG this week, hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday.

I agree these are not normal symptoms for anyone, ostomy or not. There isn't much they can do if you aren't having symptoms, but if you do again, get yourself to the ER. I'm not convinced that it isn't all stress-related, though. Stress can really wreak havoc on your body. Hopefully, things will settle down once you are back on antidepressants.

Terry

Hi Mr. B

Stress and anxiety can certainly cause those symptoms you describe. I can only speak for myself, of course. I have had a few panic attacks, and they do make you feel like you might be having a heart attack, but your doc feels it's more than that, so I would definitely get it checked out. Are you on anti-anxiety meds?

Did you titrate off of your antidepressants?

I had a friend who stopped hers cold turkey, and she had all kinds of issues.

I hope your stress and anxiety can be controlled better.

Sending good vibes your way 😊

I have a long history of severe panic attacks, but I've never felt like this.

And I stopped my meds well over a year ago and had been fine even during early this year with two bereavements within a couple of weeks of each other.

Something about this isn't normal for me. I'm hoping you're right and my attacks have changed how they present, but if not, I'll have to adapt to another new normal and see what happens.

Just sucks in the meantime.

Hope you figure the issue out with the doctors...make sure you are drinking enough water and getting enough rest.

The problem I have is that they think it was stress that’s caused the problem with my heart rather than it just being the stress itself making it feel like a heart problem. 

I had some major bad news about a very close friend last week, her unit was caught up in the war un Ukraine and she took a few rounds most bounced off the body armour but two went through and lodged in her stomach cavity, how they missed all the internal organs and her gut amazes me and one went through and through her shoulder she lost a lot of blood and caused her to slip into a coma during surgery, she now has amnesia which they think may be permanent and no longer remembers our 15 year friendship. I was stressed but feeling physically fine.

It’s only in last two days where I’ve had this issue and it got steadily worse today, hence they feel the need to check my heart rhythm because the other symptoms fit too well with a minor cardiac problem. 

Guess you can die from a broken heart. The only solice I can find is that physically she will make a full recovery, mentally I think it’s very touch and go.

I feel like maybe there aren't really any words to help, but maybe a virtual hug could help you feel better 💛

I had the same thing happen to me in 2020. I spent 6 months in the hospital fighting for my life after a botched gallbladder surgery, and that led me to getting an ostomy. They said it was called Takotsubo.... "broken heart disease," also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or stress cardiomyopathy. It's a temporary heart condition triggered by severe emotional or physical stress, which causes a part of the heart muscle to suddenly weaken, similar to a heart attack causing a sudden weakening of the heart's pumping function. It's triggered by extreme emotional or physical stress, such as grief, fear, anger, surprise, high fever, stroke, or seizure. I had to get ECGs and EKGs, and it healed on its own. About 2 years later, I had to get an ultrasound done, and they said there was no damage found. Kinda sounds like possibly this may be your situation. Just hope your tests come out normal. I have a feeling they will. Take care 🫂

Sorry, I just read through comments - they did not appear when I started my post…. Since it took me a while to respond, I will just put it out there anyway….

Have you ever experienced a panic attack? I understand that it can sometimes mimic heart issues… not that I don't trust doctors… wait, what… did I really just type that?…. jb

P.S. As a side note, I too had a heart issue after my ileo, which was discovered as I proceeded to explore the reversal procedure…. I had no previous heart issues except as a 7-year-old when I was diagnosed with rheumatic fever due to a high sed rate count…. At least that's what they told Mom. Later, after having an infected molar pulled, the sed rate returned to normal…. Our doc's name was good ole' Doctor Dupes… (hmmm, what's in a name?) He wasn't even a heart doc…

Back to recent heart issues…. The docs said I needed 3 stents placed, then interestingly, I had a heart attack 3 months after the stents were implanted…. I was still in shock from the unexpected ostomy, so I was not in my right mind and believe I let some very important questions go unanswered….. Just sayin…. And oh yeah, I am still not in my right mind… It was partially removed with 12” of colon, a right ovary (didn't need it anymore anyway), and my appendix… who knows what its purpose is anyway… well, probably Google knows…😁

Grief can affect you physically (broken heart syndrome), so a checkup is a good idea. Heart disease runs in my family, and my mother died at 52 years old after having three heart attacks in a row, and all the men on her side were dead before fifty. The rest of us make sure we let our doctors know the history so we are monitored.

Sorry about that. Unfortunately, it does run like that in some families, but not in every case, so not to worry. Best wishes.

Never say never! Sounds like you're going through things both physically and emotionally, and while separate, these can play on each other. Just take time for you, though that's frequently easier said than done. Wishing you relaxation and peace, and good health!

Stress, anxiety, and heartbreak are all bad dudes. Many of us try to reframe our disappointments, to put a happy face on sad circumstances. Wrong move. Difficult emotions have to be faced honestly; unless you can actually feel them, they will weigh you down. Instead of fighting off the disappointments, talking about them will make you feel better. The doctor will probably recommend an angiography for you to check the arteries for blockages. Best wishes.

Such great advice from everyone and suggestions.

I'm only gonna comment on the UC angle symptoms.

Having UC turned into CD. In the last 40 years of my IBD story, I believe people with IBD are at greater risk due to autoimmunity.

While on prednisone, a simple infection caused pericarditis. I was in my 20s then.

This infection infiltrated the pericardium sac, smothering my heart.

I last recall "code blue" in the hospital before passing out.

This was my first and only heart issue. However, DVT* happens, and that is very common in IBD people. Something I learned about very late. Was never told about it. Blood clots.

You get a clot in your brain... game over. Get one in your lungs, very painful prior to death. Can't breathe... can't walk... you feel something imminent.

I didn't have a stoma then, but the common denominator is IBD. And that alone will create many symptoms - strange things - unheard of things.

"It's all about the digestive tract." I say horse feathers! Inflammation can and will attack any organ it wants to.

Broken heart syndrome is very real. Sorry about your friend 🧡... that's a tragic situation going on over there. 🙏

*Deep vein thrombosis.

Thank you, warrior. That's what the doctor thinks might be the case. She said extreme trauma and stress can cause cardiac problems, and she wants to make sure. I have the ECG on Thursday. I'm still getting the chest pains, but it's not gotten worse.

I noticed you replied to me while I was still editing my comment.

In short, get your heart thoroughly tested. It should be part of your yearly physical.

Well, I had my ECG today. There is a sign of a slight weakening of the heart muscles, but it should heal. I just have to take it easier for a while; easier said than done given the situation that has led to it, but hey ho.