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What Causes Intermittent Chest Pain In An Elderly Person?
Question: I am experiencing mild sporatic pains in my upper chest but on the right side. I'm also getting some pain in my back shoulder blade. Should I be worried about a heart attack where it is on my right side and not my left?
Brief Answer:
Can be stable angina.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for choosing HalthcareMagic for your query.
Sporadic or intermittent chest pain at a age of 69 can be stable angina(can lead to myocardial infarction).So initially some tests should be done to rule out the possibility of coronary artery disease.Its a myth that cardiac pain or angina presents only with left sided chest pain,Right side pain can be angina also,Both left and right sides of chest are innervated with same dermatomes.As pain is radiating in nature agian possibilities of it being angina are increased
Tests suggested are-
Stress test- To see if blood supply to coronary artery is normal while exercising.Any ischemia is reflected as ST-T changes.
2d echo - To rule out the any abnormality in wall motion or any leakage in valves.Left ventricle ejection fraction can also be cacuated.Angina causes compromised blood supply and is reflected in form of regional wall motion abnormality.
Combined together they are almost 75% sensitive to rule out cardiac cause of chest pain.
Apart from that some test suggested are
Fasting and Post prandial blood sugar.
lipid profile.
Please answer the following questions-
What are you anxiety levels?
Do you have gastritis,heartburn or acid peptic disorders.
From how long are you taking aspirin and in what doses?
Any other medication you are on?
Smoking and alcohol habits?
Waiting,
Thanks.
Can be stable angina.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for choosing HalthcareMagic for your query.
Sporadic or intermittent chest pain at a age of 69 can be stable angina(can lead to myocardial infarction).So initially some tests should be done to rule out the possibility of coronary artery disease.Its a myth that cardiac pain or angina presents only with left sided chest pain,Right side pain can be angina also,Both left and right sides of chest are innervated with same dermatomes.As pain is radiating in nature agian possibilities of it being angina are increased
Tests suggested are-
Stress test- To see if blood supply to coronary artery is normal while exercising.Any ischemia is reflected as ST-T changes.
2d echo - To rule out the any abnormality in wall motion or any leakage in valves.Left ventricle ejection fraction can also be cacuated.Angina causes compromised blood supply and is reflected in form of regional wall motion abnormality.
Combined together they are almost 75% sensitive to rule out cardiac cause of chest pain.
Apart from that some test suggested are
Fasting and Post prandial blood sugar.
lipid profile.
Please answer the following questions-
What are you anxiety levels?
Do you have gastritis,heartburn or acid peptic disorders.
From how long are you taking aspirin and in what doses?
Any other medication you are on?
Smoking and alcohol habits?
Waiting,
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I went to the ER and they ruled out the heart with various tests. Suggested it might be nerve pain, possibly beginning of shingles. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Get well soon.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Glad cardiac condition is ruled out. You can consult a neurologist and plan treatment of shingles.
Best of luck!!
Get well soon.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Glad cardiac condition is ruled out. You can consult a neurologist and plan treatment of shingles.
Best of luck!!
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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