What Causes Left Sided Chest Pain?

Posted on Thu, 13 Apr 2017

Question: I am CJ , a 55 year old female.

I went to the ER on March 19th with pains left side of chest and fullness. Also burning in stomach. I had an EKG which the doctor said was normal and chest x-rays which were normal. All the bloodwork came back perfect. The Dr said it appears that my esophagus is inflamed I told him I had been nebulizing quite often, he told me to stop because that could cause the inflammation

I followed up with my new family practice Dr today. Told her I have the chest pain which is pinching, and some fullness feeling. And the I bloat up everytime I eat. Told her my I had some burning in my stomach. I have been having some lightheadedness and blood pressure spikes. Also it feels like my left rib is pushing in. I also have asthma. And I had DJD and my back is having pain and pressure on my sciatic nerve.

So she did an EKG and a spirometry. She also pressed on my stomach by the belly button , and it was painful. Afterwards I belched for a long time and felt better .

She said the EKG is not normal, I did explain to her that I have an abnormality every time on my EKG, but she wants me to go to a cardiologist and a gastroenterologist. She sent me for a H. Pylori test and blood tests

I can attach the scans of my EKG from March 19th and March 27th. And would like to know if this is something to be concerned over and what it means.

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
EKG is fine

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome.
This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist.
The pain characteristics you just mentioned looks typical of gastritis & does not seem to be related to heart. Nebulization do sometimes cause gastritis & we do not stop nebulization (which is very important for the patients), but start on some anti acidity medication like Tab Pantoprazole 40mg twice daily before breakfast & dinner.
I went through the ECG you have attached, it shows poor progression of R wave which can be normal in a significant number of patients. To rule out any possible cardiac disease, I'll advice you for a test called Stress Echo, which is a wonderful test to predict future risks of heart disease.
If that is negative, than risks are negligible.
You should continue with Pantoprazole & you will be fine.
Thanks & take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (23 minutes later)

Thank you Dr! Why would my GP tell me I have abnormalities and scare me?

I told her that any EKG I have ever had has an abnormality every time. She said no this is not good. She is sending me to the Cardiologist next week for a stress test and electrocardiogram and the Gastroenterologist

When I was seen in the ER last week that Dr took x-rays and said my esophagus looked twisted and he believed it was inflamed

I will sleep better tonight knowing that a cardiologist says EKG looks normal

Also my blood pressure was up at the time and Im wondering if that could have given that reading on the EKG. I have bad allergies and it raises my BP when I go outside. I told this to the DR and she said not possible. But it does happen My BP this morning was 112/74 and this evening 108/66

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ECG is fine

Detailed Answer:
Hi madam,
Welcome back.
Your GP might have misinterpreted the ECG because of thing written on top of ECG, which the ECG machine has interpreted of the ECG.
ECG is definitely fine & stress echo will rule out any future risk of any heart disease, which i am expecting to come out normal.
The symptoms are typical of gastritis (inflamed stomach or duodenum) which your gastroentrologist will conform.
I wish you a happy & healthy life.
I hope your query is answered. If you have any more question, I'll be happy to help or you can choose to close the discussion.
Thanks & take care

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy