Hi, i have heart/chest pain after a prolonged period of starvation (7 weeks), no food ingested. could the left ventricle have atrophied? what would be the best way to re-strengthen the heart? cardiovascular exercise only, or is weight training safe?

Actually personally I like a challenging difficult questions none of us knows everything but if I do not know the answer I will say so and I will referred the patient to a specialist that might know and if it is my specialty I will search for the right answer

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There a various causes of chest discomfort. At your age heart causes wouldn't be likely. It's possible that you're experiencing esophageal spasm,motility disorder or even esophageal inflammation caused by your recent dieting. I doubt your heart has weakened. I recommend consulting your physician for evaluation & advice&any testing deemed advisable. In the meantime stay on a bland diet,no alcohol

If chest pain f/u cardiologist - echocardiogram / EKG / stress test Why no food ingested for 7 weeks? anorexia? chemotherapy? Were you drinking water? 7 weeks w/o food there would be other laboratory l abnormalities and muscle atrophy. 7 weeks w/o food and water is incompatible with life. May also be gastritis reflux, Follow up with primary provider for full work up i

Get the 2 volume of Biology (Physiology) of Starvation by Angel Keys of K ration fame from Lib and read all about it. Heart does shrink because BP falls rapidly as you get no salt. Some will die. Too young to have heart problems that will kill. Read chapter on Psychological effects of Starvation. Referring is best way to help is referring but beware of gorging as noted in the books.