Hello everyone,

For many months now and probably closer to a year, I have been having a lot of chest pains that come and go. They vary in type, but none of them are ever *super* severe (like an elephant on the chest). They are very noticeable though, ranging from small twinges to full on constant chest pressure, to one sided pains, sharp stabbing, etc. Only *sometimes* can they be reproduced by pressing on the chest.

I have seen various doctors about the problem and have had multiple EKGs and (finally) an echocardiogram after much prodding. The various doctors all seem to think I have costochondritis, because the tests show normal and there is pain when pressing anywhere in my chest (as well as most other areas of my body.)

My worry is that heart disease runs rampant in my family, my father and brother both died of it, both having multiple heart attacks, strokes, etc. My g-pa as well. My mother has some minor heart issues, palpitations and such.

In addition to my pains, I have palpitations and most everyday can hear my heartbeat no matter how I lay. I can also hear an occasional rapid thumping in my ear. Also, I have some arm weakness and shoulder pains. I know this could all be anxiety or even the costo, but I keep telling myself..what if it isn't? I am extremely overweight, but losing weight (down from 400+ to 371lbs), and with the risk in my family, I can't help but think maybe I am having angina, and it's being overlooked.

It's very very difficult to get doctors to prescribe any tests here, and it took nearly 4 months just to get the echo. They would not do a stress test, either.

Can ECGs/Echos show any signs of angina or no? I don't want to be one of those people who dies of a heart attack in their sleep if it might be preventable. :(