Pains

[Lynn8889]

Thanks for taking the time for answering my question.  I am a 34 yr old female, 118 lbs, don't drink nor smoke. I have been having some pain/discomfort in the left shoulder and collar bone area and down my upper part of my left arm (not inside the arm but outside) and also my left neck area as well as my upper left back area and sometimes my left breast area.  I do notice that when I press upon the top of my shoulder or on my left side under my arm, it makes it hurt worse sometimes.  I did have an treadmill stress test 2 weeks ago - the doctor said I could not reach my target heart rate (I am on Lopressor for tachycardia and I am on Synthroid and I believe I may be subclinically hypothyroid.....last time my TSH was high but t3 and t4 was normal.......and my dr. didn't increase my synthroid dose).   He thought I probably didn't reach my target heart rate because of the Lopressor or that I may be hypothyroid.  The whole reason for the stress test was because I complained of a very forceful and sometimes fast heartbeat when I try to do something (shooting basketball, tossing ball with my kids).  SOmetimes I notice an irregular beat (PVC's maybe).  I do have a family hx of hypertension and CAD (my dad).  I am real concerned that I have CAD or something.  I don't know why I feel so tired and have these irregular, forceful and fast beats when I try to do something physical.  I used to be athletic, but will admit after I have my twins 3 years ago and I haven't stayed in shape.  Is all this from being deconditioned, back or neck problems or could I have CAD?  
Thanks again!!!!

[violettt]

I am a 24 year old female with ocassional chest pain/poking. It has been happening for the pass 7 months. The pain occurs on the left side of my chest and it jumps from top of my chest to the side and sometimes to the center of my breast. I went to the emergency room when out of nowhere my heart started beating really fast. There were several tests performed, includidng a cat scan. It showed the I had inflamation in my lungs. My pulmonory doctor told me not to worry about it. I went to cardiologist and he put me on holter monitor. He then prescribed me tropol. I still have pain in my chest and my heart starts beating faster then usual when i simply go one up one floor. I'm worried that I might have heart problems and that I am being misdiagnosed. What can it be to cause this pain?

[Lynn8889]

I also wanted to ask......on my stress echo I had - the doctor said it was normal, although I wasn't able to reach my target heart rate.  How could you get accurate results if one is on like Lopressor to slow the heart rate and blood pressure or if I am subclinically hypothyroid.  Days before the test, I called my cardiologist and asked him if I should not take my Lopressor a day or so before.  I was told to keep taking meds. as I always did.  I wondered this and wanted your opinion on this.  I'm just concerned as I don't feel too great.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Lynn,

Thanks for the post.

The symptoms you have are atypical for angina and are very nonspecific.  At 34, unless you have a very strong family history I wouldnt be overly concerned with your risk from coroanry disease.  Thats not to minimize your future risk and would make sure your blood pressure and cholesterol were well controlled.

The nature of your symtpoms are also atypical for CAD. I would work with your physician to investigate them further.

good luck