Re: Sharp stabbing chest pains

Posted By Terry on February 05, 1999 at 14:06:03:

In Reply to: Re: Sharp stabbing chest pains posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on February 05, 1999 at 10:14:51:






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.




I know what heartburn is - I get that occasionally, so I know that's not it.  And the doctor's ran lots of test on my heart with blood tests, ekg's, and x-ray's, so I don't think heart disease is it, but I didn't discuss that specifically with the doctor.  What is "chest wall pain" and is there anything that can be done for it?  Thanks for your response!