abnormal subclavian artery

[jess990]

I had a chest xray done in December and one a couple of months prior that noted "an aberrant right subclavian artery coursing posteriorly to the trachea". I have been unable to get an answer as to what this is and what it means. I have been dealing with ongong balance issues and dizziness for 3 years (off and on for 7 years). I have moments where I feel like I cannot swallow and wake up some mornings with a kind of pressure/numbness just below my left rib cage in the front. I also have shortness of breath off and on but it is not breathing related, more centered in my stomach or just below my breastbone. Can this cause these symptoms? I am scared of this finding and need more info. I have had the FULL workup and stress echo, ekg, halter monitor, etc. all normal.

[jess990]

I am sorry, I actually did have a CT scan w/dye that determined this, not an xray, of the chest. I was short of breath and they were checking for a pulmonary embolism. This was the second CT I had done and both determined this artery abnormalty but when I asked about it, they said it was no big deal. With the symptoms I have provided, what are your thoughts. I have high anxiety and deal with that on a daily basis but wonder if the shortness of breath and inability to swallow was caused from this. The swallow thing is very random and it feels like when you swallow too many times in a row and then you have a hard time swalloning a couple of times. My food goes down fine, it is just very random. Is this abnormality rare and does it cause problems, could it cause the dizziness I feel? Is it something I was born with and would it make sense to cause problems just now in my life? Thanks!

[Cleveland Clinic]

I am not sure how they could tell this from an x-ray. I would suggest that you get a CT angiogram scan of the chest and neck to accurately address this, and not to panic at all until the results of this test are performed.

[jess990]

I wanted to add that I am 33 years old, 3 kids, healthy, I am told. I do smoke, 1 pack per day. This feeling is worse after eating late at night while laying in bed and more so after a day of heavy movement.