My Girlfriend Keeps Getting Chest Pains

[avadelonge]

She is too stubborn to see a doctor herself, so i'm going to ask the community here for help. She says she keeps getting pains in her chest, and said that the pains started on Monday, she says they come randomly, but most often when she's eating or doing strenuous activities, she said it even hurts when she's getting dressed in a morning. She does suffer from anxiety and stresses a lot, could this be a part of the problem? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[janni1971]

Anxiety definitely can cause chest pain but she should maybe get an ecg just to have the all clear.  A little reassurance goes a long way.  

[MarkDuane]

If it is pain that seems below the surface and kind of radiates (rather than a sharp pain), it would be wise to get it checked.

After my quintuple bypass at age 49, I was talking to my heart surgeon and explained that I had a few friends my age with possible heart related symptoms (such as I had) who pretty much push them aside with no intention of getting them checked out to be safe. The surgeon looked at me and simply said, "...and some people just drop dead."

There can be many causes for chest pains- but don't forget that according to the American Heart Association, close to 1,000,000 die per year from heart related problems. My surgeon performed an average of 5 bypass surgeries a week- and he is only one of many in this small area.

[RadioAstronomyObserver]

1,000,000/year?  I kind of thought it would have been "all of them".  but what do I know? ;-)

  I agree with the other posts, with your description it can be anything from anxiety to a very dangerous heart problem.  I was among those who let "pains"  go as if I die then so be it.  It's when I had the heart attack I decided that wasn't what I believed after all.  Even then when things started to feel better I almost went back to sleep. Luckily I didn't because I was having a heart attack.  Big enough that the hospital I went to could only stabilize me, and sent me 30+ miles away to a hospital that could take care of my specific urgent needs.

[ChatterAlly]

Chest pains should never be taken lightly.  I walked around with strange chest pains and a feeling that an elephant was sitting on me for 3 months before seeking help.  I only had one blockage, but still it required intervention.  Better to see a doctor than to wonder.  Hope you can convince her to at least have a doctor check it out.  Take care, Ally