What Causes Chest Tightness And Burping While Walking?

Posted on Sat, 21 May 2016

Question: Hi,
Lately (last 30 days) I have been having some tightness in my chest, but only when I am power walking after about 10 minutes. Obviously I am concerned about it, but it doesn't feel that way when I am not exercising. I am also burping a lot, which is unusual for me. Thanks for your input.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that your actual clinical symptomatology raises suspicions about coronary heart disease (probable exertion angina).

In such case it is necessary to perform a careful differential diagnosis.

I recommend discussing with your attending doctor for:

- a careful physical exam (identification of possible coronary risk factors),
- a resting ECG,
- chest X ray study,
- cardiac enzymes (CK-MB, Troponin),
- cardiac ultrasound,
- liver and renal function tests,
- fasting blood glucose level,
- blood lipid profile, etc.

If enough suspicions on possible coronary artery disease are raised, then an exercise cardiac stress test is necessary.

I recommend discussing with your doctor on the above mentioned issues.

Hope to have been helpful to you!

Feel free to ask me again in case of any further uncertainties.

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