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Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath And Tight Feeling In Chest

Posted on Wed, 20 Aug 2014

Question: I am a 30 year old female.. good health.. have had 3 kids.. need to lose about 15 lbs from last baby but not extremely overweight. Anyways.. for months I have been having shortness of breath that mainly comes on right after eating and lasts for a few hrs. Also chest feels tight by my sternum. If I press on the area I can feel where the area is hurting. Dr told me to start taking Nexium 40 mg. so I have been taking that for about 2 months which has not helped much. went to cardiologist.. did blood work, EKG, chest xray, echo, stress echo, and all tests show normal. I did find out I have a bicuspid valve (my son has this too) but Dr says this should not be causing symptoms as tests show no blockage. what do I do next... I'm tired of feeling like this.. and don't know what I need to do???

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to Oesophageal spasm

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms XXXXXXX

Going by description of right sided pain and collaborated by normal cardiac workup, cardiac cause is ruled out as cause of symptoms.

Following could be the likely cause of your symptoms
1. Oesophageal spasm: it is usually due to gastroesophageal reflux.
2. Oesophagitis and associated hiatus hernia

I would suggest you the following investigation after discussing it with your Physician

1. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
2. Barium swallow contrast study
3. Oesophageal manometry

Do get back to me of you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.

Take care

Best regards
Dr T Shobha Deepak
MBBS, MD

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

Follow up: Dr. T Shobha Deepak (2 hours later)

So the or oesophageal spasm can cause shortness of breath like this? it is driving me crazy and makes me feel terrible!

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Oesophagus spasm can have such presentation

Detailed Answer:
Hi

It can definitely present like shortness of breath .

Consult your physician for further assessment and evaluation as advised previously.

Take care

Best regards
Dr T Shobha Deepak

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

Follow up: Dr. T Shobha Deepak (43 hours later)

Do you think this would be heart related at all?? The pain in my chest is pretty constant and is located in the center of the sternum area. I'm so worried its heart related.

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not cardiac related

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I'm not of opinion that it is heart related . As your cardiac work up is normal there is no cause for concern.

Take care

Best regards
Dr T Shobha Deepak

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

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