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Chest pain (left side)
I am 40yr.old female. Pain on left side of chest (just under breast) began 1yr ago, sporadically, not necessarily during exercise (sometimes middle of the night), lasting for minutes to hours. Progressively more frequent. No significant SOB or fatigue. Edema in extremeties also comes and goes.
Recent ultrasound revealed 1) Hypokenisis of left AND right ventricle, 2) mild pulmonary hypertension and 3) mitral regurgitation. Initial stress test appears normal (they didn't say otherwise), yet results are not back from 2nd round (cardiolite stress test). Appt. with Cardiologist not until April 6th.
My family doctor tells me these things should not cause pain, yet that is what got me to the doctor's office in the first place. Is this a coincidence? Should I be concerned? I feel so fragile and I want to resume exercising but can't bring myself to while this pain is still here.
I should mention that I have a history of kidney disorders, which have left me with slight elevation of BP, still within the normal range but on the higher end.
Recent ultrasound revealed 1) Hypokenisis of left AND right ventricle, 2) mild pulmonary hypertension and 3) mitral regurgitation. Initial stress test appears normal (they didn't say otherwise), yet results are not back from 2nd round (cardiolite stress test). Appt. with Cardiologist not until April 6th.
My family doctor tells me these things should not cause pain, yet that is what got me to the doctor's office in the first place. Is this a coincidence? Should I be concerned? I feel so fragile and I want to resume exercising but can't bring myself to while this pain is still here.
I should mention that I have a history of kidney disorders, which have left me with slight elevation of BP, still within the normal range but on the higher end.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
only40,
Thanks for the post.
There are a lot of things that can cause chest pain and pressure outside of blockages in the arteries.
Things in the heart like vasospasm, high blood pressure and CHF can all cause chest symptoms as well as things outside the heart like pneumonea, asthma, GERD and musculoskeletal problems. Even things outside the chest like anxiety can cause chest symptoms.
You should work with your physician to come up with an explanation that you are comfortable with. Once done, you should continue your exercise and fitness program!
good luck
Thanks for the post.
There are a lot of things that can cause chest pain and pressure outside of blockages in the arteries.
Things in the heart like vasospasm, high blood pressure and CHF can all cause chest symptoms as well as things outside the heart like pneumonea, asthma, GERD and musculoskeletal problems. Even things outside the chest like anxiety can cause chest symptoms.
You should work with your physician to come up with an explanation that you are comfortable with. Once done, you should continue your exercise and fitness program!
good luck
Hi all,
So many worried people, sharing similar stories. I think it helps us all though to see other people out there going through the same thing!
I'm 31 year old female. Slightly overweight (but working on that!!) for the past few years, was at a healthy weight up to about 5 years ago (work prevented me from exercising, but going to remedy that!) Anyway, I started to get pain in my left arm & leg. Went to my Dr & was told the usual, stress caused by my job. Which is actually not far from the truth. So I accepted this & moved on. However, then I started having pain in my chest, shortness of breath, palpitations, head rushes, pain under my left breast, heartburn (something I never had before) & on & off the pain down my arm & leg. Naturally this terrified me. After several trips to my Dr, I changed Dr's. My new Dr was more sympathetic & was arranging an appt for a cardiologist. However, I had a really bad episode in December last year & ended up in A&E. An ECG & Blood Tests later, they sent me home saying it was Anxiety. I was put on Xanax? but my own Dr took me off the immediately as he said they were highly addictive!
I eventually got to see the Cardiologist in February & I had a stress test, wore a holter monitor & BP monitor (my BP was up the day I went to see them, but I have white coat syndrome) & some blood tests done. All of my blood tests came back mostly normal (Cardiac enzymes, Liver Function, Kidney function etc) One of my liver enzymes (LDH) came back as too low. They didn't mention this to me as an issue, but I saw my blood test results & did a bit of digging. I read on the internet that people suffering with stress can have lower LDH function in their Liver?! (Adrenal exhaustion) - The 24 hr holter & BP monitors, came back fine & I managed 13 minutes on the treadmill (98%) which impressed the nurses. They didn't reach my ultimate BP rate, which showed that I was much fitter than I realised. They actually commented that because I used to run & keep fit a few years back, they could tell this on the stress test.
Anyway, I was called back by my own GP & he told me everything was fine. I'm a worrier by nature & convinced that one of my arteries is blocked (we have a history of high cholesterol in my family & my bad cholesterol was up in the past, but I also have v high levels of good cholesterol & triglycerides are good) but my Dr told me that this is not the case. I find that something will trigger off the pain (usually worry about something in work) & it can last for days. If I'm distracted, it generally seems to go away. So if I am out enjoying myself, I forget about it.
Maybe it is just Anxiety, but in fairness I can't put up with every time I get a bit stressed getting these pains. It really takes its toll on me. Makes me really tired.
Hope this helps others!
S
So many worried people, sharing similar stories. I think it helps us all though to see other people out there going through the same thing!
I'm 31 year old female. Slightly overweight (but working on that!!) for the past few years, was at a healthy weight up to about 5 years ago (work prevented me from exercising, but going to remedy that!) Anyway, I started to get pain in my left arm & leg. Went to my Dr & was told the usual, stress caused by my job. Which is actually not far from the truth. So I accepted this & moved on. However, then I started having pain in my chest, shortness of breath, palpitations, head rushes, pain under my left breast, heartburn (something I never had before) & on & off the pain down my arm & leg. Naturally this terrified me. After several trips to my Dr, I changed Dr's. My new Dr was more sympathetic & was arranging an appt for a cardiologist. However, I had a really bad episode in December last year & ended up in A&E. An ECG & Blood Tests later, they sent me home saying it was Anxiety. I was put on Xanax? but my own Dr took me off the immediately as he said they were highly addictive!
I eventually got to see the Cardiologist in February & I had a stress test, wore a holter monitor & BP monitor (my BP was up the day I went to see them, but I have white coat syndrome) & some blood tests done. All of my blood tests came back mostly normal (Cardiac enzymes, Liver Function, Kidney function etc) One of my liver enzymes (LDH) came back as too low. They didn't mention this to me as an issue, but I saw my blood test results & did a bit of digging. I read on the internet that people suffering with stress can have lower LDH function in their Liver?! (Adrenal exhaustion) - The 24 hr holter & BP monitors, came back fine & I managed 13 minutes on the treadmill (98%) which impressed the nurses. They didn't reach my ultimate BP rate, which showed that I was much fitter than I realised. They actually commented that because I used to run & keep fit a few years back, they could tell this on the stress test.
Anyway, I was called back by my own GP & he told me everything was fine. I'm a worrier by nature & convinced that one of my arteries is blocked (we have a history of high cholesterol in my family & my bad cholesterol was up in the past, but I also have v high levels of good cholesterol & triglycerides are good) but my Dr told me that this is not the case. I find that something will trigger off the pain (usually worry about something in work) & it can last for days. If I'm distracted, it generally seems to go away. So if I am out enjoying myself, I forget about it.
Maybe it is just Anxiety, but in fairness I can't put up with every time I get a bit stressed getting these pains. It really takes its toll on me. Makes me really tired.
Hope this helps others!
S
Wow... I've been dealing with this for a long time now. It began with simple tingling (electrical feeling) in my left arm...which ended up having me tested for MS and seeing a neurologist, which everything turned up ok - no MS and no other issues. They passed it off as anxiety attacks (which I do suffer from...however, those who have panic attacks know well enough when you're having pain from that, or pain from something 'real'). I've let this go for a while convinced it would go away, or it was all in my head, or that maybe it was something really bad and I didn't want to find out.
I'm 21 - and last night the pain in my chest (above my left breast, in shoulder, underside of arm, and left rib area), and the tingling got so bad that I woke my fiance up and we made a 4am trip to the ER.
Chest X-rays, blood work, ECG, and constant monitoring while I was there gave nothing, everything turned out perfect (and the blood work included testing for possible blood clots, and of course the enzyme released during a heart attack...all negative)..
I was sent home w/ a scrip for Naproxen and told to rest and drink water. 12 hours after my ER trip, it's still aching, burning, and on occasion palpitations. Still getting pain in my shoulder, back and neck... My diagnosis was "Atypical Chest Pain" and that was that.
It's so scary because I'm terrified they're missing something, and I hate to keep going to be told I'm healthy, they can't find anything and so on, but at the same time...I know this isn't how I'm supposed to feel.
It's comforting to see that so many others are experiencing this, and I'm not just by myself here.
-ashley
I'm 21 - and last night the pain in my chest (above my left breast, in shoulder, underside of arm, and left rib area), and the tingling got so bad that I woke my fiance up and we made a 4am trip to the ER.
Chest X-rays, blood work, ECG, and constant monitoring while I was there gave nothing, everything turned out perfect (and the blood work included testing for possible blood clots, and of course the enzyme released during a heart attack...all negative)..
I was sent home w/ a scrip for Naproxen and told to rest and drink water. 12 hours after my ER trip, it's still aching, burning, and on occasion palpitations. Still getting pain in my shoulder, back and neck... My diagnosis was "Atypical Chest Pain" and that was that.
It's so scary because I'm terrified they're missing something, and I hate to keep going to be told I'm healthy, they can't find anything and so on, but at the same time...I know this isn't how I'm supposed to feel.
It's comforting to see that so many others are experiencing this, and I'm not just by myself here.
-ashley
Hello, just read your post. I too get a pain under my left breast also. It comes and goes. One cardio told me that if the pain comes on suddenly and leaves suddenly its not cardiac. Haha right it still scares me. I sometimes also get the pain in the center of my chest as well. I ended up in the er on evening with the pain under my left breast it was not cardiac, dont know what it was finally it left. Since then I have that on and off all the time. I took two tums and believe me it helped within a matter of minutes. But still get it and I still freak. Thinking maybe this time its something. But the espohpegeaous is so close to the heart one never know. But I do still take the tums when it happens and it seems to help. But I have had a full cardiac workup and two ep studies. So that is a bit reassuring. sometimes I also get a ache under the left arm pit as well. Hope this helps.
wmac
wmac
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Im 17 and can hardly go through a day without pain in chest. Goes from the middle, to left, and the right at random parts of the day, but constantly. Feels like my heart hurts daily, as each time i breathe i feel the pain. The pain reaches to under my armpit to the back of my shoulder. I cant even go out and play sports without worrying about the pain. Sometimes my heart races to the point where i have to stop and control my breathing slower to try and lower my heart rate. Sleeping, and doing everyday things arent the same anymore with this pain. I've been to the doctors and they still cant give me an answer. Im starting to very worry since this pain has started 2 years ago; and now the pain has just been getting more and more frequently by the day. Im young, and worry about heart attacks now which isnt good. Falling asleep is now hard to do while dealing with this. I can keep going on about this but all i want is an answer. Can anyone help me? Can anyone please tell me whats wrong? I see that many others are dealing with the same issue
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Omg, thank god there are people with the same problems as me. I am a 23yr. Old female, who didn't have a heart problem until after I gave birth to my daughter 3 years ago. After giving birth to my daughter I was diagnosed with CHF, which was the scariest moment of my life. I too have chest pain under my left breast, under arm, and also expierience shortness of breath. I have been cleared of the CHF, but I unfortunately was left with a leaking heart valve, and my heart muscles do not pump the way they should. I am currently on medication, coreg. I also have brought these issues to my doctors attention, and have ungergone all the tests and nothing was revealed. I just want to know what is this and will I ever be normal again. I also would like to hear from someone who has developed a heart issue after birthing a child. Thank you.
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My name is basher and I'm 23 years old male. Iv been feeling the knife like stabing and stings for at least 4 years. Some times I'll get 3 stings one after another boom boom boom. And I'll take a deep breath to ease the pain. Some times I'll feel my heart real hot. I could feel the blood moving in and out. My body gets very weak all over and I feel like I'm fifty. It's making me nervous to go to a doctor and find what it is. I don't want to have heart problems. My grand father diyed o a heart attack and my father has w weak heart. God help us all thanks
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I am 29 yrs old and I have had chest pain and other symptoms like these for over 4 yrs. I have seen many doctors about this condition and every answer I've gotten has been "anxiety" I'm like, "are you kidding me?" Because I feel fine and stress free! I always come back to when it all started over 4 yrs ago. I was driving and then without warning my entire body went numb and began to tingle. My vision went blurry and things turned the color white. I managed to pull over and when I did my whole body was shaking violently. I went to the hospital immediately and once there my symptoms seemed to pass, but when they did I was exhausted and fell asleep in seconds. They told me it was a panic attack and that my heart was fine. All tests showed I was better than healthy they would say. But from that day on, for the next 2 months I had severe migranes that never left. I couldn't work, concentrate, and all I wanted to do was sleep. Finally they got me on the right medication, lexapro 20 mgs, lorazapam 1 mg, and the headaches went away. About four times a year I have these same attacks without warning but my doctors still say its all stress related. I guess I have learned to live with this condition but some days it feels like I could just die. I have also been told that these medications should only be temporary. The one time I tried to stop taking them I had a massive panic attack a week after stopping. I ended up in the hospital with the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire upper body. I was put back on the meds and it hasn't happen since then in that severe of fashion, but they still come and go. I wish there was more they could do for me or some other types of testing. I am starting to feel completely hopeless in finding a treatment that will make all this go away. I want my normal life back, back when I could go to work without these attacks sending me home.
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Ok, I see I'm not alone but yet I'm still sacred
I have a 3yr old dearly and I don't know
What I would do if I was to leave him one
Day, so here I go I've had slight sharp pains
For a while in my chest since I can remember
But lately they come every day they are
On the left side of my chest I don't know
If its my heart or breast that is affecting
This little pinch I feel so often,I will
Be going to the hospital tomorrow, but until
Then do u have any opinions on what this
Can be am I worrying to much is this just trap
Air?
I have a 3yr old dearly and I don't know
What I would do if I was to leave him one
Day, so here I go I've had slight sharp pains
For a while in my chest since I can remember
But lately they come every day they are
On the left side of my chest I don't know
If its my heart or breast that is affecting
This little pinch I feel so often,I will
Be going to the hospital tomorrow, but until
Then do u have any opinions on what this
Can be am I worrying to much is this just trap
Air?
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