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What Causes Shortness Of Breath, Pain In The Upper Chest And Back?
Question: Shortness of breath after bending over or climbing stairs, mild pain in upper chest and back, has been coming on for a couple of weeks and seems to be intensifying. I already take Eliquis. Is it safe to wait till tomorrow morning to contact my cardiologist? I am a 75 year old female, diabetic but just 10lbs or so overweight.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that it seems your shortness of breathing is positional and exertional.
So, you may prevent it from happening by avoiding those body position and physical exertions until you meet your cardiologist tomorrow.
What concerns me more is your chest pain. Though it looks prolonged and thus nonspecific for cardiac ischemia, coronary artery disease could not be excluded with certainty, without performing some cardiac tests.
Coming to this point, I would suggest you to stay alert until tomorrow morning until you meet your doctor.
If an excessive exacerbation of your chest pain occurs, associated with other symptoms and signs (sweating, hypotension, or severe dyspnea), then I would advise you to ask immediate medical assistance to the nearest ER service at your living area.
Meanwhile, you may use some pain killer drugs (like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.)
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that it seems your shortness of breathing is positional and exertional.
So, you may prevent it from happening by avoiding those body position and physical exertions until you meet your cardiologist tomorrow.
What concerns me more is your chest pain. Though it looks prolonged and thus nonspecific for cardiac ischemia, coronary artery disease could not be excluded with certainty, without performing some cardiac tests.
Coming to this point, I would suggest you to stay alert until tomorrow morning until you meet your doctor.
If an excessive exacerbation of your chest pain occurs, associated with other symptoms and signs (sweating, hypotension, or severe dyspnea), then I would advise you to ask immediate medical assistance to the nearest ER service at your living area.
Meanwhile, you may use some pain killer drugs (like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.)
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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