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What Causes Pain In Sternum And Heaviness In Chest?
Question: For the past few months I have been getting pains in my sternum area, which I thought was related to my heartburn issues. This past week it seems to have progressed into a more nightly routine, which is I lay down and ten minutes later feel heaviness in my chest with shallow breathing. Within a few minutes of doing this, I generally exhale and stop breathing, leaving my mind only partially aware until I feel a pulling pain in my left area. I can't locate the pain, but it seems to be somewhere in my left chest toward the armpit. Just tonight I awoke with the same pain, but with a jolted popping feeling. Between the breathing and pain, I'm not convinced it's just GERD anymore. I weigh 205lb, 6'1, age 32 and smoker. I had an endoscopy in the past year, and the doctor mentioned slight hiatal hernia, but nothing else for concern. I have been taking zantac 75mg with a strict diet. My main cause of concern is breathing shallow followed by popping pain, which is starting to reoccur nightly. What are your thoughts?
Brief Answer:
Get a Respiratory & Cardiology Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX. I suggest you see a Respiratory Physician who might advise a Chest XRay plus some other investigations. Also, get an ECG done and see a Cardiologist to rule out any concerns with your heart. Your symptoms could be related to heart or lung and they both need to be ruled out. So please try and see both these specialists. Hopefully, all would be alright.
Also, I usually give my GERD patients Pantoprazole or Omeprazole instead of Zantac and they have better efficacy than Zantac. Either one can be taken twice a day half an hour before breakfast and dinner. That also might help.
Do let me know when the reports are in and let me know if I can help resolve any further queries on this condition.
Take care,
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Get a Respiratory & Cardiology Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX. I suggest you see a Respiratory Physician who might advise a Chest XRay plus some other investigations. Also, get an ECG done and see a Cardiologist to rule out any concerns with your heart. Your symptoms could be related to heart or lung and they both need to be ruled out. So please try and see both these specialists. Hopefully, all would be alright.
Also, I usually give my GERD patients Pantoprazole or Omeprazole instead of Zantac and they have better efficacy than Zantac. Either one can be taken twice a day half an hour before breakfast and dinner. That also might help.
Do let me know when the reports are in and let me know if I can help resolve any further queries on this condition.
Take care,
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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