Lauraengland24
10-15-2008, 05:28 PM
Hi I have had a chest pain for several years now and it isn't that regular. it comes on the left side of my chest underneath my breast. It is a very sharp pain which causes me to stop whatever I am doing to rest as it's hard to get my breath at it's easier when I stop. It doesn't generally stay around for long but sometimes it occurs a few times in a day and feels like my chest is tight and is pulling tighter.
I did go to a GP a few years back who put it down to a muscle contracting and should stop, but I still have it? I don't want to go to a GP as i go quite regularly due to skin issues and feel like a hypocondriact already. I just would like to know if it is serious or not as my brother has recntly been diagnosed with an irregular heat beat. I don't know if that is relevant!
I did go to a GP a few years back who put it down to a muscle contracting and should stop, but I still have it? I don't want to go to a GP as i go quite regularly due to skin issues and feel like a hypocondriact already. I just would like to know if it is serious or not as my brother has recntly been diagnosed with an irregular heat beat. I don't know if that is relevant!
Sponsor
Beefsteak
10-16-2008, 12:39 AM
Laura, Twinges of pain in the chest are only too common. Mostly they are harmless but because there is a chance, however remote, that they may indicate a more serious problem they must be investigated. Any GP will take your observations very seriously - he must do this to be responsible. This means he has to set in motion a proper investigation involving things such as:
1. Establish a "risk" profile - your age, history, meds., smoking, lifestyle, etc.
2. A proper "physical" examination - the source and freq. of the pains, and when and how they occur. New pain in a new location can be significant.
3. Investigative tests, if a simple answer is not found. This could include blood tests (including blood pressure), cholesterol, and possibly an ECG, an echo cardiogram, and even a "stress" test.
With this sort of knowledge he can answer your question.
Heart issues like pain are not simple and he must be accurate.
What I am saying is you are doing the right thing to be concerned, but to get a 100% answer you need to see a good GP.
Beefsteak
1. Establish a "risk" profile - your age, history, meds., smoking, lifestyle, etc.
2. A proper "physical" examination - the source and freq. of the pains, and when and how they occur. New pain in a new location can be significant.
3. Investigative tests, if a simple answer is not found. This could include blood tests (including blood pressure), cholesterol, and possibly an ECG, an echo cardiogram, and even a "stress" test.
With this sort of knowledge he can answer your question.
Heart issues like pain are not simple and he must be accurate.
What I am saying is you are doing the right thing to be concerned, but to get a 100% answer you need to see a good GP.
Beefsteak
AnnD
10-16-2008, 01:17 AM
My husband complained of just those symptoms for the past couple of years and so we had a heart stress test done two days ago and discovered that his two of his heart arteries were blocked...one at 50% and one at 99%. he went directly into day surgery to have a stent put in place to open them up. If he had waited any longer he would of had a major heart attack. I'm not saying this is what you have but It wouldn't hurt for you to go to a heart doctor for a Cardiac stress test to put your mind at ease. Good luck.
tom morrow
10-16-2008, 06:03 AM
Ann,
Your husband complained of "sharp" pains? I have always heard sharp pains were not cardiac. Can I ask how old he is?
Your husband complained of "sharp" pains? I have always heard sharp pains were not cardiac. Can I ask how old he is?