Re: questions about pain in chest

Posted By Nikki Smith on July 24, 1999 at 11:17:09
about 1 month ago I experienced a sharp pain in my chest which lasted about 10 sec, which spread directly to my left arm, which was left witha numbing sensation inmy arm for the rest of the day. It happened again afew minutes later after which i fainted, i was out for a few sec. after that went directly to the hospital. i was then sent to a heart spec. who did all sorts of tests, but said that it was fine there was nothing wrong. well since then I have been continuosly lightheaded whether sitting down, lying down or standing. I am continuosly nuaseas. and in keep getting pains in my chest, sometimes it numbs my left arm. In the last couple of days i have had what feels like pressure on the centre of my chest,
I am very stressed by this as it happens all the time and reduces me to tears, what could it be. i dont know whether to go back to the hospital or
to ignore it I am terrified all the time. what could it be I am only 25
I have had my cholestral check which the heart spesialist confims is perfect. I dont drink or smoke.... please could you give me some advice as to what i must do.
thank you

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on July 26, 1999 at 08:53:23
Dear  Nikki,
There are many causes of chest pain.  The one that doctors worry about the most is cardiac because it has the potential to be life-threatening.  Im not entirely sure that cardiac source has been ruled out in your case so this should be your doctors first priority.  If that is negative then other causes should be evaluated.
Amongst the cardiac causes of chest pain are: ischemia (due to blockages - including both stable and unstable angina and acute heart attack and coronary artery spasm), pericarditis (inflammation of the sack around the heart), myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), cardiomyopathy (heart failure) and rarer causes such as coronary artery dissection, acute rupture of the heart and valves and infections of the pericardium.
Gastrointestinal causes of chest pain include reflux (acid from the stomach washing back into the esophagus), gallstones, esophageal spasm, esophageal rupture, varicose veins of the esophagus, strictures of the esophagus, tumors of the esophagus and other less common GI problems.
Pulmonary (lung) causes include pneumonia, pulmonary embolus, pneumothorax, pleuritis and bleb rupture.
Other potential causes are aortic dissection, back and spine problems and musculoskeletal (muscle strain, rib fracture, etc.).
Psychological causes of chest pain are common and include panic attacks, anxiety, stress and mental duress.
As you can see the list of potential causes in long and may take a little bit of time to determine the precise cause.  A good Internal Medicine doctor should be able to work through the potential causes of your symptoms.
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.
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.











Follow Ups:


questions about pain in chest Nikki 8/01/1999
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Re: questions about pain in chest CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 8/04/1999
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