Re: Sharp stabbing chest pains

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on February 05, 1999 at 10:14:51:

In Reply to: Sharp stabbing chest pains posted by Terry on February 04, 1999 at 15:51:11:






I have had sharp stabbing chest pains recently.  I wore a heart monitor a year ago which didn't find anything, but I was supposed to press the button when it occurred and at the time they were very breif and rare.  I had other exams of my heart and they said all is okay.  Yesterday I had a strong bout with the sharp pain that lasted for about 30 seconds where I had to sit down and the pain really made me worry.  But that was yesterday and it hasn't happened again since, though I think I have had slight aches in other areas of my chest since then that I hadn't noticed before, but I'm figuring after yesterday, I'm over attentative to this issue.  The pain is slightly below and to the left (my left) of my sternum (which is where my heart is, correct?).  The aches I've had since that are at my sternum and also in the right side of my chest.  But the sharp stabbing pain was a pinpoint spot and was extremely painful at the time.  I've read that is not a symptom of a heart attack.  Do you have any idea what could be causing the pain?  I have had a history of stomach gas problems, but I think this is too high for that.  Thanks in advance for your opinion.
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Dear Terry
I am assuming that you have had a thorough and appropriate work-up to exclude heart disease as a possible source of your symptoms. Even though your symptoms are not typical for heart disease, it is always important to first exclude the life-threatening possibilities. Once this has been done, other possibilities to consider are acid reflux ("heartburn") or chest wall pain. It can be difficult to differentiate among the three from the location of the symptom alone.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.