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What Causes Throbbing Pain In The Upper Left Rib Cage?
Question: For the past week, I have had some chest pain that feels like a mild throbbing in the upper left rib cage and not sure what to think of it? I have never had this symptom before. It kind of feels like I pulled a muscle in the upper left part of the chest especially as it gets closer to the armpit area.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I would like to know something more about your chest pain:
- Is it triggered by deep breathing or body movements? This would indicate possible musculoskeletal pain (like e stretched muscle).
- Is the pain triggered by straining physical activity? Do you have shortness of breath? This would be more indicative of a cardiac pain.
Coming to this point, I would recommend trying ibuprofen for the pain. If it helps it would be another argument in favor or musculo-skeletal pain. In such case, there is no need to perform any additional tests.
But, if the chest pain persists, despite ibuprofen, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:
- a chest X ray study
- a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound
- cardiac enzymes
- complete blood count for anemia
- PCR and ESR for inflammation.
A cardiac stress test may be needed if suspicions of coronary artery disease are raised from the above mentioned tests.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I would like to know something more about your chest pain:
- Is it triggered by deep breathing or body movements? This would indicate possible musculoskeletal pain (like e stretched muscle).
- Is the pain triggered by straining physical activity? Do you have shortness of breath? This would be more indicative of a cardiac pain.
Coming to this point, I would recommend trying ibuprofen for the pain. If it helps it would be another argument in favor or musculo-skeletal pain. In such case, there is no need to perform any additional tests.
But, if the chest pain persists, despite ibuprofen, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:
- a chest X ray study
- a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound
- cardiac enzymes
- complete blood count for anemia
- PCR and ESR for inflammation.
A cardiac stress test may be needed if suspicions of coronary artery disease are raised from the above mentioned tests.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing good health,
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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