THIS is why women die of heart disease!

smiling76 · February 2013

I just have to vent for a minute ladies.

With this being heart health month, I feel like some doctors still don't "get" it. On Saturday evening I began to feel some chest pains (I'm 36--37 next month). It began with a slight neasea then went to chest pain super fast. It was strong. Then my left arm began to hurt and I thought "oh crap". I took regular alka seltzer since I didn't have any non-coated aspirin in the house. My boys were home and I honestly, didn't want to leave them to go to the ER. It was their bed time and logistically didn't know what to do so just tried to relax and see if it got better. I was so nervous. Went to bed with prayers and woke the next morning, still with some discomfort.

So Monday I called a new cardiologist and asked if I could get in which they got me in right away due to the type of symptoms I was having. They did an EKG right away and then the dr came in. Smug, young doctor who basically tried to make me feel stupid for coming in (without saying it). THEN he tried to tell me that my risk of heart disease would be low because I'm a woman??!!! WHAT?

--I'm about 40 pounds overweight and carry a lot in my belly

--I have borderline high cholesterol

--huge family history (grandfather had 1st heart attack at 38, my dad at 41 and my maternal grandmother died at 58 of heart)....

--I don't work out regularly

--I have a high stress life style

I'd think my risks are pretty high and from what I've read--it says the same.

So they are still sending me for tests to see what's up--but I also have mitral valve prolapse which can make symptoms appear worse than they are too. But who knows?! He tried telling me that the test (which I hope) will show nothing is wrong and that I probably have heart burn. ummm....sorry dude--- I've had heart burn when I was pregnant and I know the feeling. It isn't a tightening of my chest and feeling like I'm being squeezed. I'm not an idiot.

THIS is the reason that women die of heart disease....because there are male doctors who don't look at the full picture. I'm still so pissed about that visit. Even the nurse kind of agreed when I told her I should have just gone to the ER on Saturday.

So would it be bad to ask the office to give my test results when they come in to the female doctor that I originally wanted to see????

boggs507 · February 2013

I work in the medical field and can tell you that the doc who ordered the test won't just hand them over to another doc, BUT if you aren't happy with his results I would certainly ask for a 2nd opinon. Just know that may involve an additional visit/copay/etc.

cheesecakerunner · February 2013

Unreal! You absolutely deserve a doc who is going to listen and take your risks seriously. I'd definitely start shopping around for a new doctor and keep beating the drum of heart health in women! It's sad how much effort is put into making this an issue, but people just don't listen.

huskies09 · February 2013

I dont think they will just give the results to the other doctor, but you can definitly get copies for yourself and then go to any other doctor you want. Based on your risk factors and fmaily history I am very surprised that this doc said you were low risk. If you came into where I work, we probably would have admitted you at least overnight for observation and done more diagnostics while you were there. Sorry you had such a bad experience when all you were trying to do was the right thing!

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