4 ms·

Thank you, this is so helpful, I'll definitely order this test.

• oaktrout 5y ago
  I didn't see a dimer mentioned in that article, and on a brief glance its not in any of the algorithms I saw for diagnosing myocarditis. Perhaps walterbell suspects your symptoms are related to blood clots and that is why he recommended a dimer. D-dimer is often used as a screening test when there is relatively low suspicion for pulmonary embolism. I can't say either way, but if you're most concerned about myocarditis a dimer would probably only muddy the waters imo. With your symptoms and a positive dimer you might end up getting a chest CT (you say you've already had some workup done, not sure if that was included). Your best bet is probably to find another doctor or pursue further workup with your current doctor as there are a lot of nuances not easily captured through an internet discussion board. For all we know you may have asthma.
  • Croftengea 5y ago
    Thanks for your response. I did echo, lung CT, cardiac stress test but neither of these shown any anomalies. One doctor suggested angiocardiography "just in case" but it requires taking pills for a few days to lower heart rate. I'm still not sure lowering my heart rate with meds is a good idea.
    • oaktrout 5y ago
      If you did a lung CT they probably looked for blood clots (your doctor would know if they did or not), in which case dimer is not going to help you. Ironically, if you are having panic attacks, a drug that lowers your heart rate may help treat them.
      • Croftengea 5y ago
        Right. I visited a pulmonologist a couple of days ago and she said clots doesn't seem to be my case. And yes, asthma is her main hypotheses now. Which seems strange given I'm in my late 40s. Thanks for the follow up!