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Are Severe Pain In Chest, Back And Arm Signs Of Heart Attack?
Question: I'm 25 year old female. I've had horrible chest, back and arm pain for about a week now. I'm really concerned because when I look this up its a classic heart attack. I went to er about 3 days ago and ekg and blood work was fine but still worried that I'm working my way up to a heart attack or they're missing something. The pain is like a weird pain/fullness/pressure.
Brief Answer:
Hear problem is not likely
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms,
You should know some things:
1. In your age heart attack is very rare
2. In case of heart attack, if a person has chest pain more than 30-45 min, there are always ECG changes and blood enzyme elevation. So, if you went to ER after 3 days of pain, there would be ECG and blood test changes in case of heart attack. You wrote, than ECG and blood work were normal. Thus we can rule out heart attack
3. In your age such symptoms are often caused by costochondritis, muscle pain or spine problems. If you have both chest, back and arm pain, then spine problems are more likely. I would advise you to take Ibuprofen 400 mg 3 times a day after meal, if there is no relief in two days, then see your GP to perform some examinations for spine. The most simple examination is X Rays, in complicated cases MRI is performed. You should also know that excessive weight and wrong posture make spine problems worse.
Hope this was of help
If you have further questions don't hesitate to ask
Take care
Hear problem is not likely
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms,
You should know some things:
1. In your age heart attack is very rare
2. In case of heart attack, if a person has chest pain more than 30-45 min, there are always ECG changes and blood enzyme elevation. So, if you went to ER after 3 days of pain, there would be ECG and blood test changes in case of heart attack. You wrote, than ECG and blood work were normal. Thus we can rule out heart attack
3. In your age such symptoms are often caused by costochondritis, muscle pain or spine problems. If you have both chest, back and arm pain, then spine problems are more likely. I would advise you to take Ibuprofen 400 mg 3 times a day after meal, if there is no relief in two days, then see your GP to perform some examinations for spine. The most simple examination is X Rays, in complicated cases MRI is performed. You should also know that excessive weight and wrong posture make spine problems worse.
Hope this was of help
If you have further questions don't hesitate to ask
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
what about my worry of an impending heart attack. I know at my age it is very rare but not impossible and that's what's worrying me.
Brief Answer:
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms,
It is anxiety and fear (phobia) for developing heart attack.
Nowadays physicians like to prescribe antidepressants and sedatives to such patients.
I don't like to prescribe such medications to young patients and usually have good results without it.
You should know that you don't have heart problem and think about it every time when you have a pain gradually your fear and anxiety will disappear. If you could find out the exact underlying problem, e.g. spine problem, it will help greatly.
Anyway, you should know that there is no dangerous condition.
Take care
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms,
It is anxiety and fear (phobia) for developing heart attack.
Nowadays physicians like to prescribe antidepressants and sedatives to such patients.
I don't like to prescribe such medications to young patients and usually have good results without it.
You should know that you don't have heart problem and think about it every time when you have a pain gradually your fear and anxiety will disappear. If you could find out the exact underlying problem, e.g. spine problem, it will help greatly.
Anyway, you should know that there is no dangerous condition.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I understand what you are saying, but like I stated I know the chances are rare but possible. is there anything I can have done to be sure it's not a heart problem. I don't mean to bother it's just really bothering me and I've read stories of people my age having their symptoms ignored or overlooked just due to their age.
Brief Answer:
Can have echocardiography and CT angiography performed to be a 100% sure
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms,
If you were my patient I wouldn't send you to any further cardiac examinations.
But if you are very anxious I would advise you to have an echocardiography and CT angiography done. In case of normal results don't think about your heart for 10 years.
Take care
Can have echocardiography and CT angiography performed to be a 100% sure
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms,
If you were my patient I wouldn't send you to any further cardiac examinations.
But if you are very anxious I would advise you to have an echocardiography and CT angiography done. In case of normal results don't think about your heart for 10 years.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
what would a ct angiography show. and thank you so much for your time.
Brief Answer:
CT angiography let us to see directly heart arteries
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms,
CT angiography will directly show your heart arteries and if there is any problem, which can cause heart disease. as you know heart attack is blockage of heart a heart artery, so any minor blockage or narrowing of heart arteries can be found by Ct angiography.
Echocardiography will show heart muscle, valves and contractility, thus if there is another heart problem, which is not related to heart arteries, echo will show.
Regards,
CT angiography let us to see directly heart arteries
Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms,
CT angiography will directly show your heart arteries and if there is any problem, which can cause heart disease. as you know heart attack is blockage of heart a heart artery, so any minor blockage or narrowing of heart arteries can be found by Ct angiography.
Echocardiography will show heart muscle, valves and contractility, thus if there is another heart problem, which is not related to heart arteries, echo will show.
Regards,
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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