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Subject: Re: Chest Pains
Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic Area: Heart Attack
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on May 10, 1998 at 22:33:28:
In Reply to: Chest Pains posted by Tom on May 08, 1998 at 05:56:18:
For the past week, I have been experiencing chest pains at night with the past two nights being the worst. The pains occur after I have gone to sleep and are severe enough to disrupt my sleep (hence the 5:45 e-mail). Once I get up and move around, the pain goes away. The pain occurs on the left-center portion of my chest and feels like a pulled muscle. I have no noticeable pain during the day or evening. It appears the pain is related to being in the reclining position and is less severe, but definitely present, when laying on my back as opposed to stomach or sides. I am not experiencing any shortness of breath, etc.I am 41 years old and approximately 45 lbs. overweight. My last blood pressure test was 120/76 and was approximately 14 days ago. Other than the weight, I am in good health and am quite active.
________Dear Tom, thank you for your question. The chest pains you describe sound
like they may be "non-cardiac" but I cannot make a diagnosis like that
over the internet. Your symptoms seem to be related to certain positions
and seem to improve with moving around. Commonly, chest pain caused by
angina would occur with exertion and would be relieved with rest. Common
risk factors for coronary artery disease are high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, a family history of coronary disease in
young relatives, obesity, and male gender. Typically, patients with coronary
disease develop chest pain with a reproducible amount of exertion and can
relieve they symptoms with rest. For further information, you could visit
the American Heart Association website www.amhrt.org and go to the subdirectoy
about coronary disease. Also, I think you should see a physician to discuss
your symptoms and possibly get a stress test to look into coronary disease
as a cause of your chest pain. If you develop chest pain that lasts for more
than 10-15 minutes and doesn't relent, you should call for emergency medical
assistance or go to your nearest hospital immediately. I hope you find this
information useful and I would suggest that your peruse the Heart Forum
for other questions related to your topic for more information. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.
Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your physician.
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