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What Causes Dry Cough, Left-sided Chest Pain, Indigestion And Rapid Heart Rate?

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Posted on Thu, 2 Jun 2016
Question: Hello. First off, I am a 26 year old female, with a BMI of about 38 and I take propranolol 10mg/ twice a day for high bp (which for the most part is under control) and Diamox for a pseudo tumor.

About two weeks ago I got the flu, and shortly after my fever dropped I was still feeling a bit sluggish. A couple of days later (2-3 days later) I noticed I had a sharp pain on the left side of my chest. It is located near my left armpit and around the left breastbone area.

I had, had a bad dry cough when I had the flu, which lasted for a little over a week, but the pain I was feeling with that at the time, was more in the sternum area.

I am trying to figure out if this is heart related or symptoms of something that will hit in the near future. Over the past two weeks I have felt light headed and weak, and although I haven't passed out or anything, I have experienced tightness all day long on that left side (whether I am sitting down or taking a simple walk and even when I breathe deeply) I have also experienced left arm pain and shoulder pain on the left side and pins and needles, and experienced pressure in the center of chest a few times. All of this pain comes and goes.

I also have had a feeling of indigestion for a few days as well. Not sure if that is related though.

I also have moments throughout the day that my heart rate can be 58 then 110. That is unusual to me, because it's usually pretty constant around 60-79 bpm.

I had also been put on Ibuprofen 800 mg when I had the flu, to bring down my fever, and an anti-inflammatory when I was told it may be a pulled muscle in the chest (by my GP), and I am worried those type of medications could have caused complications with my heart, since I was taking them close enough together.

I did have an EKG done at an ER and at an urgent care center, within the last two and a half weeks. The one done at the urgent care center was normal, but at the ER the Dr. had said he found the result was good, but he did notice there were certain parts that spiked up that could indicate I was under stress. Due to feeling other strange feelings, but not the specific pain I am feeling now, I also had an Echo done on XXXXXXX 18th, and I was given the result unusually quickly, but was told it was normal and had a 24 hour monitor which had normal results as well.

Any insight on what the cause might be of the pain on the left part of chest, shoulder arms might be, or should I go to get more tests done? I have done some research, and am worried because I've read that women can have symptoms even weeks or months before a heart attack hits.

Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

After reviewing your symptoms I would like that your symptoms aren't typical for cardiac issues and you shouldn't worry about it. As long as the examinations were normal you shouldn't worry about heart issues.

Your symptons are very common in patients who have had flue recently and it will require up to one month to have a complete recovery. You should stay calm and relaxed this will help to reduce anxiety which exacerbate your symptoms.

Moreover, you shouldn't do more tests for the moment and you should repeat the examinations once in a year. This will help you to relieve your concerns and to exclude any problems in the future.

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
p.s: If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
Thank you.

Would you suggest that it's more of a muscular pain that I am feeling? When I push down on my left breast area, I can definitely feel the pain or when I move a certain way. Just feels like a constant tightness/discomfort in that area of my chest.

Also, what would explain the feeling of indigestion? I kind of have felt like something is stuck in my throat at times and should I be worried if this persists, even after a month after the flu? (In about a week, it will be about a month since I had the flu).

Thank you!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Your symptons may be ralso elated to:
- Costocondritis and chest muscle strain damage
- Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)

This symptoms are self limited and apart from chest discomfort it will not cause any harm to you.

This is why I would recommend to use
- Advil
- Antacids (glavicson)
- Prilosec

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (5 hours later)
Thank you.

My last question would be, would I need to take these type of medications like Advil for an extensive amount of time, in order for them to help heal the inflammation of the chest area?

I had taken ibuprofen and another anti-inflammatory from the ER, and didn't feel a big difference.

And does the pain down my left arm and back also seem like a muscular issue as well, more so than something I need to worry about?

Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (22 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

You should use advil for a short period of time just to help reliving the pain and to help with healing process.

You should take antacids and prilosec for 8-12 weeks to improve your symptoms especially those related to indigestion.

For the moment you have nothing to worry about.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Benard Shehu

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2257 Questions

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What Causes Dry Cough, Left-sided Chest Pain, Indigestion And Rapid Heart Rate?

Brief Answer: Following advice. Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you for asking! I read your query and understood your concerns. After reviewing your symptoms I would like that your symptoms aren't typical for cardiac issues and you shouldn't worry about it. As long as the examinations were normal you shouldn't worry about heart issues. Your symptons are very common in patients who have had flue recently and it will require up to one month to have a complete recovery. You should stay calm and relaxed this will help to reduce anxiety which exacerbate your symptoms. Moreover, you shouldn't do more tests for the moment and you should repeat the examinations once in a year. This will help you to relieve your concerns and to exclude any problems in the future. Hope this will be of help! Wish you health! Dr. Shehu p.s: If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again.