Right-side chest pain

  I am writing on behalf of my 23 year old brother-in-law who recently
  experienced right-side chest pain and shortness of breath while golfing.
  After a hospital visit, the doctors told him he may have angina, yet
  put him on 30 mg/day of Prevacid.  I am trying to find out if there are
  any alternate diagnoses, based on normal ECG and blood work results.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear SSP,
Topic Area: Angina
I am writing on behalf of my 23 year old brother-in-law who recently
experienced right-side chest pain and shortness of breath while golfing.
After a hospital visit, the doctors told him he may have angina, yet
put him on 30 mg/day of Prevacid. I am trying to find out if there are
any alternate diagnoses, based on normal ECG and blood work results.
Thank you for your question.  There are many different things that can cause chest pain besides angina.  Some of them are stomach reflux, esophageal spasm, muscle strain, rib fracture, pneumonia, pulmonary embolus (blood clot to the lung), pericarditis (inflammation of the sack around the heart), myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), aortic dissection, trauma to the chest and other less common causes.  Sorting out which of these is the cause of the pain requires taking a good history, performing a complete physical exam and ordering appropriate tests.  Hope this information helps.
Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist