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What Causes Sudden Pain And Pressure In The Chest?
Question: I am 38, 5'2, 115lbs. I exercise regularly, don't smoke. Tuesday night I felt an odd pain in my left side of chest, like a tightness, making it hurt more every time I coughed or took a deep breath. I went to work Wednesday, but on my way home I felt the tightness become stronger and scary so I drove straight to the emergency room. Exams all came back "normal" Although, pain is minimal now, it's still present when I take deep breaths or lie on my right. What else could this be?? I'm afraid to return to my regular exercise but don't want to waste time either. I was suggested to see a specialist for an echo test, "just to be certain" but don't have health insurance right now. Thank you! I appreciate it!
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your recent medical history and would like to explain that your actual pain complaint doesn't seem to be related to any cardiac ischemia issues.
So relax as no any serious cardiac disorders seems to be likely!
Your chest pain is quite nonspecific for cardiac issues; it is exacerbated by cough and respiration; also it is modulated by body posture change.
Considering the above characteristics, a cardiac implication doesn't seem a reasonable explanation. If fact a cardiac pain has the opposite characteristics.
It is highly probable that your pain to be related to a chest wall structure disorder (inflammation) such as;
- costochondritis,
- recent trauma (inter-costal muscle over-distension),
- shingles infection,
- pleural inflammation,
- backbone disorder
Coming to this point, I would encourage you to keep taking anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen) and refrain heavy and even light weightlifting for a couple of days, until the actual symptomatology improves.
I believe that after sufficient time the inflammation will subside and you will regain your usual ability of performing the daily physical tasks.
If any certain skin phenomena (blistering rash) is obvious, you need to consult a doctor for prescribing a local ointment treatment appropriate for shingles infection.
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 explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your recent medical history and would like to explain that your actual pain complaint doesn't seem to be related to any cardiac ischemia issues.
So relax as no any serious cardiac disorders seems to be likely!
Your chest pain is quite nonspecific for cardiac issues; it is exacerbated by cough and respiration; also it is modulated by body posture change.
Considering the above characteristics, a cardiac implication doesn't seem a reasonable explanation. If fact a cardiac pain has the opposite characteristics.
It is highly probable that your pain to be related to a chest wall structure disorder (inflammation) such as;
- costochondritis,
- recent trauma (inter-costal muscle over-distension),
- shingles infection,
- pleural inflammation,
- backbone disorder
Coming to this point, I would encourage you to keep taking anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen) and refrain heavy and even light weightlifting for a couple of days, until the actual symptomatology improves.
I believe that after sufficient time the inflammation will subside and you will regain your usual ability of performing the daily physical tasks.
If any certain skin phenomena (blistering rash) is obvious, you need to consult a doctor for prescribing a local ointment treatment appropriate for shingles infection.
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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