29-year-old with chest, lower back pain

[ted10463]

Hi.

I'm relatively new to this, but wanted to see if anyone had any comments that might help me out. I am a 29-year-old male and about two years ago, I decided to start taking better care of my heart. My family has a long history of heart troubles and I wanted to stop mine before they began. I work out three times a week, do not smoke, and have only a few beers a week.

A few months ago, I began to feel a pain in the area of my chest where my heart is housed. The pain is dull, and it never actually feels like it is emanating deep from within (i.e. from the heart itself). I feel a pain that almost comes from the pectoral muscle, and reaches around to the lower portion of my left armpit. Accompanying this, I often have a dull pain in my back, which varies in coming from the area around my heart to the base of my spine.

I have a lot of stress in my life and do suffer from high blood pressure and stomach problems. I am wondering if part of these pains might be due to gastroenteritis or acid reflux. If anyone has any thoughts on it, suffers from similar symptoms, or can offer any advice on feeling better, I would be forever grateful. Thank you.

[ted10463]

Thank you very much for your assistance, Roy. It is deeply appreciated.

I have an appointment with a cardiologist on the 15th of next month.

[RoySchwartz]

Again, heart problems don't seem likely in your case. Chest pain from heart problems that's related to a coronary problem (the one that causes heart attacks) are deep in origin, radiate to the left arm, and usually doesn't radiate to the back.

Another problem in the heart that causes pain is pericarditis (fluid around the heart) but that pain hurts while breathing in, and alleviates as you lean forward.

One other thing is problems with the aorta, such as an aneurysm, which pain actually might be similar to what you're describing, but that's kind of rare.

If I had to guess, I'd say that your problem might be of gastrointestinal origin or a local problem (muscle etc.). The only way to be sure, though, is to go to your doctor and let them run blood test and/or chest imaging to diagnose your problem.


Roy

[ted10463]

The aches happen throughout the day. I usually don't notice it as much in the morning, but by mid-day at work, its aching. It doesn't seem to have much to do with when or what I eat - at least to the best of my knowledge.

I take antacids, but they don't do much.

The dull pain in my back will stick around for quite a while (5 minutes - 1 hour), but the little twinges of pain that I feel around the area of my heart usually only last for a few seconds. I find that pressing on the spot (it is always just to the right of my nipple) will alleviate the ache a little, and when my armpit area hurts, it helps if I squeeze the spot that aches.

What sort of heart problems could cause pains like these?

[RoySchwartz]

Hi,

It's important that you describe when you have that pain. Does it appear after exercise or any other kind of effort (even emotional stress)?

That pain can be caused by a heart problem (even though given your age and other details it's not very likely), and could also be related to other problems. Some examples -
1. Acid reflux, like you suggested - Usually this gets worse after meals or after lying down
2. Peptic ulcer disease - This would be relieved after taking antacids
3. Musculoskeletal - Meaning it might come from a muscle
4. Anxiety - can also cause chest pain

There are others, but these seem more likely after reading your story. If you provide more details, such as when it hurts, how many times a day etc. it could help