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Can Pain In The Chest And Left Arm Indicate Heart Issues While Treating Emphysema?

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Posted on Tue, 8 May 2018
Question: I have been diagnosed with emphysema. Pain in my chest and always in my left arm. Sometimes the pain is excruciating. I have a lot of saliva during the painful periods. Cold air (45 and below seem to trigger it quicker). None of the meds given help and neither does cyanne pepper. I don't question possibility that I have the desease but don't belive that is all of the pain issues.. the pain started like overnite and when I had an infected tooth that had to be pulled the pain left for a couple of weeks, so any info would be a help...
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Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms are not typical of any cardiac disorders.

Gastro esophageal reflux could mimic this clinical situation.

Anyway,considering your previous medical history, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests:

- a resting ECG and cardiac enzymes
- a cardiac ultrasound
- a chest X-ray study
- inflammation tests ( complete blood count, PCT, ESR).

A cardiac stress echo or a nuclear perfusional cardiac stress test would help exclude possible coronary artery disease.

Meanwhile I would recommend trying an antiacid or PPI ( omeprazole) during those episodes. If this helps improve your situation, it would be indicative for gastroesophageal reflux. In such case a fibrogastroscopy may be needed.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr.Iliri
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9544 Questions

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Can Pain In The Chest And Left Arm Indicate Heart Issues While Treating Emphysema?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms are not typical of any cardiac disorders. Gastro esophageal reflux could mimic this clinical situation. Anyway,considering your previous medical history, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests: - a resting ECG and cardiac enzymes - a cardiac ultrasound - a chest X-ray study - inflammation tests ( complete blood count, PCT, ESR). A cardiac stress echo or a nuclear perfusional cardiac stress test would help exclude possible coronary artery disease. Meanwhile I would recommend trying an antiacid or PPI ( omeprazole) during those episodes. If this helps improve your situation, it would be indicative for gastroesophageal reflux. In such case a fibrogastroscopy may be needed. Hope you will find this answer helpful! Kind regards, Dr.Iliri