Re: help?

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on December 06, 1998 at 22:36:46:

In Reply to: help? posted by Sandy on December 04, 1998 at 09:15:20:






I dont know if i am losing my mind or if i have panic disorder or if i am just a hypocondriac! I am 29 years old and have been having chest pain for the last 3 months. most of the pain is on the left side of my chest and moves around to my armpit. I have been to my doctor and she says there is nothing there and that i am fine, The ekg was normal she says. I even went to the ER with this pain and was told it was A Typical chest pain. I was told this by the doctor but he didnt run any tests? I am begining to wonder if it is in fact all in my head, Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks



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Dear Sandy, thank you for your question.  Chest pain in a 29 year old woman is almost always atypical meaning that it is not caused by blockages in the coronary arteries.  There are over 100 different causes of chest pain and the majority are atypical (also called non-cardiac).  If you have a number of risk factors for coronary artery disease including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and a family history of coronary artery disease, then there would be more concern that your chest pain is caused by coronary artery disease.  However, only your physician can make this determination so I suggest that you speak with her.  Most likely, no additional cardiac tests will need to be done, but there may be other tests that can determine exactly what is causing your chest pain.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck!
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.