Sporadic chest pain and headaches

[Cat1991]

I'm am 16 year old female and I have had a constant headache and it gets worse at times or it is a very subtle but it is always there. It has been there for about two months now. Just recently I have been getting nausea but never accually vomiting. For about a month I have been getting sporadic chest pains. It is usually around where my heart is. I get light headed very easily, and my appetite is going. Nothing really sounds good anymore. I just don't know what to do.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi.

Are the chest pains usually associated with the headaches?

I suggest that you still have the chest pains assessed by your primary physician. Chest pains may be due to musculoskeletal causes such as muscle pains or costochondritis. You have noted that these chest pains are usually associated with headaches. At this point, we can not really tell if the chest pains and headaches may be explained by one condition alone.

A primary consult is necessary as any new onset of chest pains requires an evaluation. You may ask your physician for any pain relievers to help alleviate the pain. At this point, this may not be something which may require immediate intervention. However,  to allay your own worries and fears, discuss these with your parents so you may have an assessment done.

[Cat1991]

The chest pains can be heavy at times and dull at others. But rarely they can kind of be sharp. I have asthma but that hasn't really been bothering me lately. I have had no problems t home or school. I don't have a job. I wake up a little bit more often than I usally do. And in January I started being a vegaterian. In February I donated blood so I'm pretty sure that I'm not anemic.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi.

How would you describe these chest pains? Are they heavy, sharp, dull?

Is there any associated difficulty of breathing?

I suggest that you inform your parents or guardian about this so that they will be able to set an appointment with a physician. An initial assessment is necessary so that the cause of the chest pains and the headaches have to be ascertained. This may not be something which requires immediate intervention. However, a baseline EKG or 2D Echo to assess cardiac function may be necessary. A complete blood count may also help rule out an anemic state.

Do you have any problems at work or at home?

Have you been sleeping well lately?

Have you been eating well lately or are you on a diet?