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What Causes Persistent Twinges In Chest?
Question: Getting twinges in chest for last 5 days.. No other symptoms. Physician assistant said heart rate is normal and no blood in urine. Advised Advil which gives temporary relief. Sometimes changing position brings on more twinges . Advice?
Brief Answer:
Does not seem worrisome; an additional test
Detailed Answer:
Hello, sir. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern.
Well, there are certain pains that can be originated from the within-ribcage area, since various tissues are present there. Your description does not fit with angina (pain originated from the arteries that "feed" the heart with oxygen and nutrient supplies - a pain described as continuous tenderness in the mis-chest radiating to the left arm, left shoulder and the jaw, which does not decrease/increase in intensity due to position changing). Your pain seems to be coming from an acute or chronic inflammation of a part of the locomotory system of the ribcage (muscles, cartilages or bones), and I think advil was a good choice at first. For this matter, if ibuprofen does not work, a short course (5-7 days) of OTC ketoprofen or indomethacin could help. Just to be totally "in the safe", I would also recommend a plain chest X-ray, since there may be an inflammation of the within-ribcage linings (pleura or pericardium) which can cause this kind of pain which changes in character due to position changing.
I hope this is helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions. Please rate the answer, if you do not. Wish you good health.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Does not seem worrisome; an additional test
Detailed Answer:
Hello, sir. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern.
Well, there are certain pains that can be originated from the within-ribcage area, since various tissues are present there. Your description does not fit with angina (pain originated from the arteries that "feed" the heart with oxygen and nutrient supplies - a pain described as continuous tenderness in the mis-chest radiating to the left arm, left shoulder and the jaw, which does not decrease/increase in intensity due to position changing). Your pain seems to be coming from an acute or chronic inflammation of a part of the locomotory system of the ribcage (muscles, cartilages or bones), and I think advil was a good choice at first. For this matter, if ibuprofen does not work, a short course (5-7 days) of OTC ketoprofen or indomethacin could help. Just to be totally "in the safe", I would also recommend a plain chest X-ray, since there may be an inflammation of the within-ribcage linings (pleura or pericardium) which can cause this kind of pain which changes in character due to position changing.
I hope this is helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions. Please rate the answer, if you do not. Wish you good health.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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