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What Causes Sharp Chest Pain?

Posted on Fri, 11 Jul 2014

Question: Sharp electric like pain in left arm and chest. Lasted 10 sec... Has happened before but cant remember how long ago... No pain in this are when working out etc...only occurs when sitting or maybe having arm in certain position i think....heart problems?

Answered by Dr. Hardik Thakker (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
more info and EKG

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX
Greetings from health care magic!!! I am Dr Thakker and shall be answering your question.

I can understand your concern for the chest pain. I will try my best to answer your question.

I would like to know the following details from you:

What aggravated the pain? Is it exertional? Relieving factors for the pain?

Any history of injury to the chest?

Did you perform a heavy weight chest press exercise a day before?

What is the intensity of the pain? Any radiation to other area?

Any associated breathlessness/ leg swelling?

Any history of hypertension or heart disease in the family?

Any history of alcohol or tobacco consumption?

I would also recommend you to have an EKG done and upload the image of the same to rule out a cardiac issue.

Please get back to me with the above information.

Yours sincerely,
Dr Thakker.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Thakker (2 hours later)

Ekg was done a month ago and was normal. No pain when during exertion, i did do chest excerice and bicep excericese, consisting of body resitance and calistynics etc. No issues. No breathlessness, no swelling, the sharp pain was short maybe 10 seconds in arm and chest. Currently just soreness in arm and chest. I felt the pain while driving using let arm, arm was in fixed position for a period. Workout was last night....no family history of heart disease to my knowledge. When i try ansd stretch etc it releives. Havent felt electrical shock/sharp sensation since writing first question .

Answered by Dr. Hardik Thakker (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Muscular/ neuropathic pain

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX

Thank you for your replies to my questions.

I feel the pain is muscular/ neuropathic in origin given the EKG is normal. A heavy chest workout the night before may make the muscle sore and irritable and cause this pain. You can take calcium supplement and Gatorade to prevent this from happening the next time. Gatorade is to be taken when you feel thirsty while doing exercise. The amount should satisfy the thirst.

I hope this helps you out. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to write back to me.

Yours sincerely,
Dr Thakker.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj