What Causes Severe Abdominal Pain And Headaches?

Posted on Mon, 17 Oct 2016

Question: Hello, I am wondering about an odd pain I'm getting in the center of my abdomen, in front, right below my rib cage. While I sit, no pain. If I cough, laugh, sneeze, walk for too long or walk briskly, it hurts quite a bit, 7 out of 10 or higher. When I stop, the pain goes away. I get intense headaches too, across the top of my head, from temple to temple. both started a week ago. Also, I've been managing afib for over 20 years, and I have been in an episode for two weeks now, the longest I've ever had it. Normally my heart converts on its own but this time it hasn't. I had cardioversion done 4.5 years ago but I was blacking out then. Any suggestions?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

From what you are reporting your symptoms are typical for cardiac issues especially ischemic heart disease (or coronary arteries blockage).

Cardiac ischemia is manifested with chest pain on exertion (which stop directly when you stop activity) and cardiac arrhythmia (it may initiate atrial fibrillation or other life threatening arrhythmia).

If you were my patient I would recommend to go to ER to exclude any life threatening situation. Moreover I would recommend to do the following examinations to properly evaluate your actual cardiac status:
- Blood work including cardiac troponin
- Ecg
- Cardiac echo
- Stress test
- Holter monitoring

These examinations are needed for a proper evaluation of your case. If anything is abnormal (suggestive for cardiac ischemia) you should do Cardiac angiography (heart cath).

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar