Chest Pain / Heart-Attack-like Symptoms
Users on Reddit have shared a range of experiences concerning chest pain and heart-attack-like symptoms while using GLP-1 medications. These include at least one report of a serious cardiac event, instances of severe panic attacks mistaken for more dire conditions, and symptoms like severe heartburn or chest discomfort that can mimic cardiac issues.
Reported Experiences:
Panic Attack with Stroke-Like Symptoms: One user, in a detailed comment about their experience, described an event after increasing their Mounjaro dose to 12. 5mg: "I thought I was having a stroke and called an ambulance. Panic attack. All obs. Perfect! "[2] This user also mentioned experiencing "occasional shortness of breath" and "feeling anxious" prior to this event. [2]
Exacerbation of Pre-existing Heart Condition (Second-hand): A user mentioned, "I do have a friend who was hospitalized due to Ozempic exacerbating a heart condition. One of the possible side effects is a fast heart rate as well. "[3]
Chest Discomfort/Sensation: Another user reported dyspepsia symptoms including "feeling like food was caught in my chest". [4] This sensation, while potentially related to gastroesophageal issues, can cause alarm due to its location and can be perceived as chest discomfort.
Severe Heartburn Mimicking Cardiac Pain: Several users discussed experiencing "terrible heartburn" and severe acid reflux, which can sometimes be mistaken for heart-related chest pain. [5, 6] One user noted their "acid reflux was so bad when I started on Zepbound that I aspirated on stomach acid and developed pneumonia. "[6]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended or Implied:
Dose Adjustment or Discontinuation: The user who experienced a panic attack eventually reduced their Mounjaro dose significantly from 12. 5mg to 2. 5mg, though they reported still feeling "off". [2] The user who felt food caught in their chest discontinued the medication. [4]
Addressing Anxiety: The user who had a panic attack also mentioned using "Lots of CBT to sort this out" for anxiety, although this was a general statement about managing their anxiety. [2]
Medications for Severe Reflux/Heartburn (which can mimic chest pain):
Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) was described as a "miracle" by a user for GLP-1 induced heartburn when omeprazole and other antacids were insufficient: "What a difference! Still lots of burping, but not so sulfuric,and no more heartburn pain! "[5] Another user also found dexlansoprazole (generic Dexilant) to be a "winner" for their GERD after other PPIs failed. [6]
Other Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole, pantoprazole, and lansoprazole, as well as H2 blockers like Pepcid (famotidine), were mentioned by users for reflux, with varying degrees of success. [5, 6]
Dietary Adjustments for Reflux: One user found that "I cut way back on citric acid and it’s done the trick" for silent reflux, in addition to taking dexlansoprazole, noting that electrolyte drinks often contain citric acid. [6]
It is important to note that chest pain or heart-attack-like symptoms should always be evaluated by a medical professional to rule out serious conditions.
Reported Experiences:
- Serious Cardiac Event (NSTEMI): A medical professional on Reddit reported a case where a patient experienced an NSTEMI (a type of heart attack) after a dose change of Ozempic.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended or Implied:
- Managing Dehydration and GI Side Effects: In the reported NSTEMI case, severe dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea was identified as a critical factor.
It is important to note that chest pain or heart-attack-like symptoms should always be evaluated by a medical professional to rule out serious conditions.