odd pains - Heart Disorders Message Board

tom morrow · 10-15-2008, 06:18 PM

so what I get occasionally in and around my chest are quick "zaps" of pain. I know it is not the best way to describe it, but it is the best I can do. They are quick pains that almost feel like electricity, they last for half a second and are gone. I get them in different places in my chest.

The problem is that when I get them, I worry about them and things then tend tto get worse.. I do suffer from anxiety and am not the best at at taking my medication because I am not a fan of the sexual side effects.

Does the description from the first paragraph sound like a heart problem? No shortness of breath is experienced

Beefsteak · 10-16-2008, 10:14 AM

Tom,
You need to get a diagnosis from a professional - ie a GP. The pain alone is no way to diagnose the problem. This is partly because pains can vary, and are subject to how you interpret them. Anything like you describe needs that opinion.
A few years ago I had a friend who did his own diagnosis of his "heartburn". He used to take a strong cough syrup whenever he felt discomfort. No-one questioned him about it.
He seemed to have good health and showed us the bottle he relied on. Then one night right in front of us he had a heart attack and died. No warning - BANG - he was gone, and we applied CPR for nearly an hour trying to revive him. That really brought home to us the importance to PROPER DIAGNOSIS of ANY chest discomfort or pain. The fact you are concerned about it means you should get advice.
Hope this helps sway you.
Beefsteak