What Causes Chest In Pressure Along With High Blood Pressure?

Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015

Question: I am a woman nearing 70 y/o with multiple health problems including renal transplant, controlled high blood pressure and pulmonary hypertension caused by nerve damage during a difficult central line insertion. I have also had a few squamous and basal cell skin cancers removed. I now have pressure in the middle of my chest with blood pressure and pulse above baseline with some irregularities. My pulse ox is around 92% on 2.5 liters. These new symptoms first occurred Wed. evening, XXXXXXX 21, 2015, during the middle of the night. I really didn't sleep much after I awoke with them. I also had a headache so I took on e of my migraine capsules. When the symptoms reappeared this evenong I took an oxycodone 5 mg capsule. My question is what might be some possible problems that could exhibit these symptoms? As you might guess my greatest concern is a coronary attack but I don't recall the specific symptoms that show in a woman. I do know they are different from men.

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

Brief Answer:
Get an ECG once.

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. Coronary heart disease is the common problem, I would suspect. Possible angina. Coronary events are more after midnight and more in early mornings commonly, however, it can occur at anytime. Would need an ECG at present.

2. If ECG is normal, then I would think of gastritis. It usually presents with burning pain in the chest, just below or around the center of ribs. Antacids should reduce pain.

3. Migraine medications increase risk of coronary attack due to there blood vessel constriction activity. If only painkiller, it should not be a problem

4. Symptoms of coronary attack, will be usually a severe pressure pain on the chest (as an elephant or something heavy on chest), radiating pain in left arm, pain in the middle back or even pain radiating to jaws. Associated with that breathlessness and excessive sweating can be seen. Few can have nausea/vomiting too.
One or all symptoms maybe present. Due to age and associated other risk factors, I would recommend an ECG at the earliest.

In females excessive breathlessness, nausea/vomiting, radiating pain to jaw or back is more common. However, there is not much difference.

Do get an ECG at the earliest.

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

Dr. Prakash HM

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju