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A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis
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Hiccups as a sign of chronic myocardial ischemia

Hakan Buyukhatipoglu1, Yusuf Sezen, Ali Yildiz

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Harran University School of Medicine, Sanliurfa, Turkey. buyukhatipoglu@gmail.com

Southern Medical Journal
|September 23, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Unusual symptoms like intractable or effort-induced hiccups can signal chronic myocardial ischemia, a condition affecting heart blood flow. Recognizing these atypical signs is crucial for diagnosing coronary artery disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Chronic myocardial ischemia typically presents with chest pain but can manifest atypically.
  • Symptoms may include referred pain (jaw, stomach, back) or non-cardiac complaints (indigestion, clamminess).
  • Effort-induced, rest-relieved symptoms are key indicators of coronary artery disease.

Observation:

  • This study details two unique cases of myocardial ischemia.
  • The primary symptom in both patients was persistent hiccups.
  • One patient experienced intractable hiccups for months; the other had effort-induced hiccups.

Findings:

  • Both patients with hiccups also reported atypical chest pain.
  • Hiccups can be an unusual presenting symptom of chronic myocardial ischemia.
  • This highlights the diverse and sometimes non-traditional presentations of heart disease.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider myocardial ischemia in patients with unexplained or atypical symptoms, including hiccups.
  • Early recognition of these unusual presentations can lead to timely diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease.
  • Broadening the differential diagnosis for hiccups may improve patient outcomes.

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