Suggest Treatment For Chest Discomfort And Swollen Ankles

Posted on Tue, 21 Jul 2015

Question: Hi, My 82 year old mom is visiting me and she hasn't felt well all day. She said it feels like someone "punched her in the belly, but above the stomach area. More like just below the solar plexus (sp??). Her ankles are quite swollen, though they tend to do that when she's on her feet a great deal. She is chilled - her hands and forearms are cool to the touch. She's very tired. Is this something I should worry about?

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not reducing due to antacids, could be MI. Go to ER for ECG.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:

1. If Rolaids is unable to reduce the pain, it is possibly not gastritis. If its not burning pain, may be not gastritis.
2. Swollen ankle is mostly due to posture at present.
3. The blood pressure is possibly reduced to extremities, giving her periphery a chilled feeling.
4. She will require an immediate ECG for a possible evaluation of myocardial infarction/ heart attack. Any pressure feeling around the chest area at this age requires serious evaluation. If the pain is not reducing, its worrisome, go to ER immediately.

Check her blood pressure once, it could be low due to reduced cardiac function.
Need to go to ER now.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM

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