Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Normal Echo And EKG. Pain In Arm, Neck Pain, Chest Discomfort. Scared About Heart Attack
Question: Had an echo and ekg both were normal and my cardiologist says I'm fine no abnormalities my question is I'm 28 smoker with shotting pains down my left arm and neck pain sometimes chest discomfort....so scared I'm going to have a heart attack
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
If your EKG and ECHO are normal, I dont think we need to be worried about a heart attack. The pain can be due to an issue with the cervical spine, musculoskeletal pain or even acid reflux.
I think a Xray of the cervical spine and some hot fomentation and topical diclofenac gel should do you a lot of good. Also, maintaining a proper posture and using a hard pillow would be required. Anxiety itself can make the pain worse. So see a physician and
stop worrying about the heart attack. Cutting down on the smoking, a healthy lifestyle and some exercise will also hold you in good stead.
If you still have apprehension, you can consider a CT Angiogram which will tell you the actual state of your blood vessels.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Thanks for writing in.
If your EKG and ECHO are normal, I dont think we need to be worried about a heart attack. The pain can be due to an issue with the cervical spine, musculoskeletal pain or even acid reflux.
I think a Xray of the cervical spine and some hot fomentation and topical diclofenac gel should do you a lot of good. Also, maintaining a proper posture and using a hard pillow would be required. Anxiety itself can make the pain worse. So see a physician and
stop worrying about the heart attack. Cutting down on the smoking, a healthy lifestyle and some exercise will also hold you in good stead.
If you still have apprehension, you can consider a CT Angiogram which will tell you the actual state of your blood vessels.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. Just one more question
The echo they did was a Doppler echo and the cardiologist said that can tell blood flow which can detect any blockages..is there a good chance there is no blockages if that wa normal? I also take effexor for anxiety which he told me could be the culprit for all this?
The echo they did was a Doppler echo and the cardiologist said that can tell blood flow which can detect any blockages..is there a good chance there is no blockages if that wa normal? I also take effexor for anxiety which he told me could be the culprit for all this?
Hi
Yes, there is a fairly good chance of you having no blockage if the doppler echo was normal. The anxiety itself can cause shooting pain. Here, regular exercise, yoga and XXXXXXX breathing would definitely help.
I hope I addressed your concerns. If you have no more questions, please close this discussion.
Regards
Yes, there is a fairly good chance of you having no blockage if the doppler echo was normal. The anxiety itself can cause shooting pain. Here, regular exercise, yoga and XXXXXXX breathing would definitely help.
I hope I addressed your concerns. If you have no more questions, please close this discussion.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
