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What Causes Left-sided Chest Pain?
Question: Description of myself:
- 20 years old
- Male
- 5'10, 215lbs.
- Smokes marijuana daily (for about 3-4 years), drinks on occasion
- no family history of heart disease, cancer, etc.
- history of anxiety - was on Zoloft about 2years ago
- last physical was February 29, 2016 - everything normal - blood pressure/ cholesterol was normal
- last EKG occurred about 2 years ago - results proved good health
- Diet: lots of carbs/meats/sugars/. Little veggies/fruits. Diet of approximately 2,000+ cal. per day, no Daily Vitamins, less than 1 gallon of water/ day
- Exercise: on average less than 30min/day - no working out
- Sleep: 7.5hr/night avg.
Description of Symptoms:
- Fleeting chest pain in the left of my chest - comes and goes
- Pain began to be noticeable about 24hours from writing this
- Can be sharp, or ache. Comes and goes, occurs usually once an hour or two. First pain was sharp, but pain has been more dull and mild since
- Pain is very mild to somewhat mild. Does not go away with movement, breathing, stretching, etc.
- Pain is stronger after consuming beverages (coffee, water), meals, and smoking or vaporizing Marijuana
- No breathing issues, no other pain. Pain is contained in just the upper left of my chest around my heart.
- irregular heart beat is rare but does occur sometimes. When it does occur, it is usually after smoking marijuana, consuming beverages, eating meals
I am planning on changing my lifestyle to exercise 1 hr/day, eat full serving of fruits/veggies per day, and get more sleep (8-10hr) to remedy the issue. I also plan to cut back on Marijuana use. I have an appointment to have a physical exam on February 10th, 2017; at the physical I will tell my doctor the symptoms listed above.
My question is:
1. Are my symptoms showing signs of serious heart problems? Are my arteries being clogged? Am I at risk for a heart attack, diabetes, etc.
2. Should I consult my physician sooner than February 10th about my symptoms?
3. With the lifestyle changes I have planned, will my symptoms be remedied?
4. What other steps should I be taking to ensure I am in good heart health?
- 20 years old
- Male
- 5'10, 215lbs.
- Smokes marijuana daily (for about 3-4 years), drinks on occasion
- no family history of heart disease, cancer, etc.
- history of anxiety - was on Zoloft about 2years ago
- last physical was February 29, 2016 - everything normal - blood pressure/ cholesterol was normal
- last EKG occurred about 2 years ago - results proved good health
- Diet: lots of carbs/meats/sugars/. Little veggies/fruits. Diet of approximately 2,000+ cal. per day, no Daily Vitamins, less than 1 gallon of water/ day
- Exercise: on average less than 30min/day - no working out
- Sleep: 7.5hr/night avg.
Description of Symptoms:
- Fleeting chest pain in the left of my chest - comes and goes
- Pain began to be noticeable about 24hours from writing this
- Can be sharp, or ache. Comes and goes, occurs usually once an hour or two. First pain was sharp, but pain has been more dull and mild since
- Pain is very mild to somewhat mild. Does not go away with movement, breathing, stretching, etc.
- Pain is stronger after consuming beverages (coffee, water), meals, and smoking or vaporizing Marijuana
- No breathing issues, no other pain. Pain is contained in just the upper left of my chest around my heart.
- irregular heart beat is rare but does occur sometimes. When it does occur, it is usually after smoking marijuana, consuming beverages, eating meals
I am planning on changing my lifestyle to exercise 1 hr/day, eat full serving of fruits/veggies per day, and get more sleep (8-10hr) to remedy the issue. I also plan to cut back on Marijuana use. I have an appointment to have a physical exam on February 10th, 2017; at the physical I will tell my doctor the symptoms listed above.
My question is:
1. Are my symptoms showing signs of serious heart problems? Are my arteries being clogged? Am I at risk for a heart attack, diabetes, etc.
2. Should I consult my physician sooner than February 10th about my symptoms?
3. With the lifestyle changes I have planned, will my symptoms be remedied?
4. What other steps should I be taking to ensure I am in good heart health?
Brief Answer:
Yes you are at high cardiac risk!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Firstly thanks for choosing health care magic to ask your query!
Have seen your details,
I would give answers point wise.
1)Cardiac origin of chest pain is highly unlikely in young people below age of 25,unless they have a strong smoking history associated with them,unfortunately you are a chain smoker and on top of that you smoke marjuana ,which makes you 10 times more prone to cardiac disease then a non smoker of your age.Though going through you history and description most likely your pain is related to gastritis ,heartburn and acid peptic disorders or anxiety disorders ,Yet as there is a very strong smoking history ,cardiac clearance is a must for you .
I would recommend you few baseline tests of cardiology like-
Tread mill test-An exercise stress test is primarily used to help determine if your heart receives enough oxygen and proper blood flow when it needs it most during exercise or strain, such as when . Its sensitivity is about 60%to rule out artery blockage for people who have been experiencing chest pains or other symptoms of coronary heart disease.
2D echo- It is also used to determine how well your heart tolerates activity and your likelihood of having coronary artery disease (blocked arteries), and evaluates the effectiveness of your cardiac functions.
Combined together with tmt the sensitivity is as high as 85% to rule out coronary artery disease.
Fasting lipid profile.
Once all these tests are normal we can consider other causes.
Yes you are at a high risk of coronary artery diseases as explained by me above.
2)In case you can get the above mentioned tests without cardiologist prescription,there is no need to panic for appointment ,you can post the graphs on HCM for interpretation.
3) Life style change will definitely help you ,and will provide protection from future cardiac risks.
4)Stop Drinking.
Stop Smoking.
45 minutes of strenous exercise should be done daily.
20 minutes of brisk walking at a minimum speed of 5 km/hr should be done daily.
Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
Avoid over spicy and fatty foods.
Don't drink excess tea ,coffee or drinks.
Add lots of fibres to your diet.
Sleep 8 hours daily.
Drink plenty of water.
In case you need any other help ,feel free to ask!
Thanks
Yes you are at high cardiac risk!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Firstly thanks for choosing health care magic to ask your query!
Have seen your details,
I would give answers point wise.
1)Cardiac origin of chest pain is highly unlikely in young people below age of 25,unless they have a strong smoking history associated with them,unfortunately you are a chain smoker and on top of that you smoke marjuana ,which makes you 10 times more prone to cardiac disease then a non smoker of your age.Though going through you history and description most likely your pain is related to gastritis ,heartburn and acid peptic disorders or anxiety disorders ,Yet as there is a very strong smoking history ,cardiac clearance is a must for you .
I would recommend you few baseline tests of cardiology like-
Tread mill test-An exercise stress test is primarily used to help determine if your heart receives enough oxygen and proper blood flow when it needs it most during exercise or strain, such as when . Its sensitivity is about 60%to rule out artery blockage for people who have been experiencing chest pains or other symptoms of coronary heart disease.
2D echo- It is also used to determine how well your heart tolerates activity and your likelihood of having coronary artery disease (blocked arteries), and evaluates the effectiveness of your cardiac functions.
Combined together with tmt the sensitivity is as high as 85% to rule out coronary artery disease.
Fasting lipid profile.
Once all these tests are normal we can consider other causes.
Yes you are at a high risk of coronary artery diseases as explained by me above.
2)In case you can get the above mentioned tests without cardiologist prescription,there is no need to panic for appointment ,you can post the graphs on HCM for interpretation.
3) Life style change will definitely help you ,and will provide protection from future cardiac risks.
4)Stop Drinking.
Stop Smoking.
45 minutes of strenous exercise should be done daily.
20 minutes of brisk walking at a minimum speed of 5 km/hr should be done daily.
Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
Avoid over spicy and fatty foods.
Don't drink excess tea ,coffee or drinks.
Add lots of fibres to your diet.
Sleep 8 hours daily.
Drink plenty of water.
In case you need any other help ,feel free to ask!
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Thank you for your advice. Let me follow up on a better description of my smoking habit, since I wouldn't describe myself as a "chain smoker".
I do not smoke tobacco at all - I used to from ages 15-17 but have not since then
Marijuana use is daily, but I never smoke more than 1gram/ day and use a dry herb vaporizer most of the time (suppose to be healthier?). If I do smoke, I will smoke about 1 joint per day or more. I have heard from my doctor that quitting would be beneficial but my use up to this point doesn't worry him. It seems like this is the only part of my explained history which leads you to believe this issue could be coronary artery diesease, so before I pay to get all these tests done are you absolutely sure the smoking is causing the problem? Again, my habit is much less than a tobacco smoker and certinaly wouldn't consider myself a chain smoker.
Thanks again
Correction*** Tobacco use was ages 15 and 16 only. Have not smoked cigarettes since.
I do not smoke tobacco at all - I used to from ages 15-17 but have not since then
Marijuana use is daily, but I never smoke more than 1gram/ day and use a dry herb vaporizer most of the time (suppose to be healthier?). If I do smoke, I will smoke about 1 joint per day or more. I have heard from my doctor that quitting would be beneficial but my use up to this point doesn't worry him. It seems like this is the only part of my explained history which leads you to believe this issue could be coronary artery diesease, so before I pay to get all these tests done are you absolutely sure the smoking is causing the problem? Again, my habit is much less than a tobacco smoker and certinaly wouldn't consider myself a chain smoker.
Thanks again
Correction*** Tobacco use was ages 15 and 16 only. Have not smoked cigarettes since.
Brief Answer:
Reflux esophagitis, yet cardiac cause to be ruled out !
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Have noted all your details.
In that case my diagnosis will deflect more towards it being related to gastritis , heartburn and acid peptic disorders or anxiety disorders .
Your symptoms are most likely because of a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease. GERD occurs when stomach acid or, occasionally, stomach content, flows back into your food pipe . The reflux irritates the lining of your esophagus and causes GERD. GERD causes burning sensation often termed as retrosternal fullness or heart burn or chest pain by many patients, incresase in pain after taking beverages favours the diagnosis, Gerd is often associated with reflux oesophagitis. Upper G.I endoscopy should be done to rule out the condition.
But still I would advice to you to go for 2D Echo-cardiogram, once its normal, possibility of cardiac cause can be ruled out. Keep all risk factors for cardiac disease on one side and smoking and weed on the other side. It's pretty evident that smoking and weed predisposes to more cases of CAD.
Its very important to rule out a cardiac cause, even if there is a small possibility, as cardiac cause can lead to emergency situation, while all other causes are usually not severe.
Rest of the life style changes and other suggestions are same.
You can take capsule Pantoprazole (Protonix) 40mg once daily before breakfast for few days for gastritis (you may require a prescription from your local physician for this), till tests are done!
Thank you!
If you have any other query feel free to ask.
Wish you a happy recovery.
Reflux esophagitis, yet cardiac cause to be ruled out !
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Have noted all your details.
In that case my diagnosis will deflect more towards it being related to gastritis , heartburn and acid peptic disorders or anxiety disorders .
Your symptoms are most likely because of a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease. GERD occurs when stomach acid or, occasionally, stomach content, flows back into your food pipe . The reflux irritates the lining of your esophagus and causes GERD. GERD causes burning sensation often termed as retrosternal fullness or heart burn or chest pain by many patients, incresase in pain after taking beverages favours the diagnosis, Gerd is often associated with reflux oesophagitis. Upper G.I endoscopy should be done to rule out the condition.
But still I would advice to you to go for 2D Echo-cardiogram, once its normal, possibility of cardiac cause can be ruled out. Keep all risk factors for cardiac disease on one side and smoking and weed on the other side. It's pretty evident that smoking and weed predisposes to more cases of CAD.
Its very important to rule out a cardiac cause, even if there is a small possibility, as cardiac cause can lead to emergency situation, while all other causes are usually not severe.
Rest of the life style changes and other suggestions are same.
You can take capsule Pantoprazole (Protonix) 40mg once daily before breakfast for few days for gastritis (you may require a prescription from your local physician for this), till tests are done!
Thank you!
If you have any other query feel free to ask.
Wish you a happy recovery.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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