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What Causes Stabbing Left-sided Chest Pain, Dizziness And Throbbing Headaches?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Aug 2015
Question: I have been having stabbing pain in my left side of my chest, associated with difficulty in taking deep breaths, dizziness and throbbing head aches with pounding in my ears while basically sitting or walking across the office. I have checked my blood pressure and have noticed that it is 120+/80 and then after these spells, it goes back to a lower, more normal for me reading. What should I be looking for, or asking my doctor?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Pleuritic pain; anxiety

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Ms/Mrs. My name is Dr. Meriton. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I carefully read your query and understood your concern.

I will approach your problem step by step.
If we are looking on the organic origin of the chest pain, then this kind of pain (sharp, stabbing, changing due to respiratory cycle) can be elicited by linings inside the thorax, and it is called pleuritic pain. An inflammation of the pleura (outer lining/sac of the lungs) and of the pericardium ( outer lining/sac of the heart) can produce this pain. Therefore, I would recommend you to do an EKG, echocardiogram, and plain chest postero-anterior and lateral X-ray.

According to your age, this may be a peri-menopausal state. Changes in diurnal and nocturnal hormonal levels and body reactions to them, are marked, in this period. Furthermore, if you are also easily irritated, do not tolerate heat, eat a lot but do not gain weight, just to be thorough, I would suggest you to run test of thyroid function:
- TSH
- fT3
- fT4.

Then, not organic in origin, there is stress and anxiety. If you are experiencing a symptom or anything that bothers you or fears you, it produces anxiety and/or panic attack. These states cause a marked constriction in your medium and small arteries, which can produce a poundin pulse, and near the ear, you can even hear these pulses. In such case, there is always the option of a 10-14 days course of a low-dosage drug from the benzodiazepines. I recommend you to discuss this in details with your GP or a psychiatrist.

I hope this answers you query. If you have follow-up questions, I would be happy to help.

Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (11 hours later)
As I have had a hysterectomy in 2008, I don't believe it is peri-menopausal. I have also noticed numbness in my left arm, a burning sensation, but my hand is almost freezing. My left side of my face has the same sensation as if I were recovering from novocaine injection. Having difficulty concentrating at work, and dizziness is almost a constant, background experience, struggling to keep it at bay.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Run tests;

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

I am sorry, I did not know you are a post-hysterectomy patient. I did not have that information.

The pain you described in your first query, with highest probability, does not have anything to do with the numbness of your left arm. That is why I carefully and thoroughly tried to explain the pleuritic pain, which is different from anginal pain (pain coming from a blockage in the coronary arteries - marked tightness or heaviness starting in the midchest, then radiating to the both sides of chest, left arm, jaw and left shoulder, which is triggered by physical effort and ceased by the cessation of it. In this scenario, I will again recommend EKG, echocardiogram and chest X-ray.

Also, I suggest that you proceed with the tests of thyroid function.

If dizziness is affecting your work, I would also recommend a consult with an otorhinaringologist (ENT doctor), since damage of the inner ear (a small organ responsible for our balance) can cause this.

I hope I was of help. If you do not have any clarifications, close the discussion and rate the answer.

Thank you for contacting me again.

Best regards and a good health,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 775 Questions

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What Causes Stabbing Left-sided Chest Pain, Dizziness And Throbbing Headaches?

Brief Answer: Pleuritic pain; anxiety Detailed Answer: Hello, Ms/Mrs. My name is Dr. Meriton. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I carefully read your query and understood your concern. I will approach your problem step by step. If we are looking on the organic origin of the chest pain, then this kind of pain (sharp, stabbing, changing due to respiratory cycle) can be elicited by linings inside the thorax, and it is called pleuritic pain. An inflammation of the pleura (outer lining/sac of the lungs) and of the pericardium ( outer lining/sac of the heart) can produce this pain. Therefore, I would recommend you to do an EKG, echocardiogram, and plain chest postero-anterior and lateral X-ray. According to your age, this may be a peri-menopausal state. Changes in diurnal and nocturnal hormonal levels and body reactions to them, are marked, in this period. Furthermore, if you are also easily irritated, do not tolerate heat, eat a lot but do not gain weight, just to be thorough, I would suggest you to run test of thyroid function: - TSH - fT3 - fT4. Then, not organic in origin, there is stress and anxiety. If you are experiencing a symptom or anything that bothers you or fears you, it produces anxiety and/or panic attack. These states cause a marked constriction in your medium and small arteries, which can produce a poundin pulse, and near the ear, you can even hear these pulses. In such case, there is always the option of a 10-14 days course of a low-dosage drug from the benzodiazepines. I recommend you to discuss this in details with your GP or a psychiatrist. I hope this answers you query. If you have follow-up questions, I would be happy to help. Kind regards, Dr. Meriton