LindaG
01-31-2003, 02:25 AM
For the past two weeks I've had a pushing pain in the upper middle of my chest that goes into my throat. I feel like I don't get enough air with my breaths and so I do a hard dry cough and a really deep inhale every once in a while. I try to sit up straigher or raise my arms to help take the pressure off my chest but nothing helps. This is not something that only happens to me after exercise or stress. I've had it almost daily and it seems to get worse as the day progresses but maybe I just get worn out from dealing with it. I feel like I'm laying down with a heavy box in the middle of my chest and throat. Angina? Lung problem? I'd be so grateful for any thoughts.
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CobaltBlue
01-31-2003, 08:25 AM
Linda:
It could be angina. I went for 1.5 months not knowing what this weird pain was across my shoulders. I noticed it first when I lifted a box and I thought "hmm, am I out of shape." Eventually I started experiencing periods of angina sitting on the computer, they would subside after 30-60 min until the night before my heart attack. That night I had pains in my shoulders and down both arms to my elbows. I remember laying on the ground trying to get some reflief. Because of my age (35) I was not thinking heart, but looking back now, I had all the warning signs (hypertension, high triglycerides, diabetes, very low HDL, high total cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle). I had the heart attack the next day at work, no discomfort from that, other than feeling like I was passing out, and leaning over did not alleviate it this time. I was lucky, because when you do experience angina at rest (unstable) its a dangerous thing to keep going. I do urge you strongly to have it checked out, if nothing else to rule it out. If you are right, then its not too late to set about changing and repairing the damage, if you are wrong then you have the peace of mind knowing that you are well.
It could be angina. I went for 1.5 months not knowing what this weird pain was across my shoulders. I noticed it first when I lifted a box and I thought "hmm, am I out of shape." Eventually I started experiencing periods of angina sitting on the computer, they would subside after 30-60 min until the night before my heart attack. That night I had pains in my shoulders and down both arms to my elbows. I remember laying on the ground trying to get some reflief. Because of my age (35) I was not thinking heart, but looking back now, I had all the warning signs (hypertension, high triglycerides, diabetes, very low HDL, high total cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle). I had the heart attack the next day at work, no discomfort from that, other than feeling like I was passing out, and leaning over did not alleviate it this time. I was lucky, because when you do experience angina at rest (unstable) its a dangerous thing to keep going. I do urge you strongly to have it checked out, if nothing else to rule it out. If you are right, then its not too late to set about changing and repairing the damage, if you are wrong then you have the peace of mind knowing that you are well.
LindaG
01-31-2003, 07:46 PM
Thank you Ubernier for taking the time to answer my message as well as telling me your own story. Very informative and helpful! I'm only a little younger than you (33) and it's such a shame that we have these health issues so young. I'm so sorry you had a heart attack and am happy that you are doing okay. Best wishes and thank you again.