Re: chest pain/aches and palpitations

Posted By Cheri on July 03, 1999 at 11:09:56
I am a 28 yr. old female, non-smoker, non-coffee drinker.(I do drink 1-2 cans of Pepsi a day)
For the past five months I have been experiencing some chest pain/aches and rapid heart rate. The pain starts under my left breast when I try to take a deep breath and can last an indefinite amount of time. Eventually the pain and shortness of breath dissipates, and I start having an achy feeling higher in my chest, above my left breast and sometimes even on my right. I can breathe fine, but the ache is more of a discomfort, especially if I move certain ways (bending down, etc.) The rapid heart beats can happen during these episodes, but also on their own for no reason.
All of this started one evening while I was sitting, at rest. I had spent the day doing some heavy cleaning, moving boxes, etc. The pain and shortness of breath lasted a couple of days. My primary care physician thought it could be muscle strain and gave me muscle relaxers and advil, which I took fo

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on July 05, 1999 at 08:53:05

Dear Cheri
Yes, the symptoms could be thyroid related, so the results of the test are important.
Use of the muscle relaxants should not cause palpitations now.
Atenolol is a good medication for palpitations, which it sounds like you have. All the other symptoms of  pain are unlikely to be related to the palpitations.
I am not sure what other tests the cardiologist might do. A stress test might be done, but it is unlikely that you have coronary artery disease at such a young age without risk factors for coronary disease.
I would recommend stopping the caffeine intake, including Pepsi.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature.  Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor.  If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.











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