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What Causes Tight Feeling In The Middle Of Chest?
Question: I have been having a real tight feeling in the middle of my chest (around heart) when I walk for any period of time, especially if it is an incline. When I get into the building, I feel like I can't catch my breath and it feels as though someone is squeezing my chest. Does this sound heart related? I am 62 years old, non smoker, with high cholesterol since age 30.
Brief Answer:
Do get a treadmill stress test / nuclear stress perfusion scan
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam,
The symptoms you described are very characteristic of heart, it's what we called exertional chest pain / breathlessness. Considering your age, long standing cholesterol. I would recommend you to undergo a treadmill stress test or a nuclear stress test, both would be ok. Nuclear is better in terms of it gives exactly which area of heart is at fault.
2 d echo would go wrong after there is damage to the heart, so that wouldn't be the right test in this context.
If the above investigation is normal, we should try finding other causes of your symptoms like decreased hemoglobin, thyroid related, increase in blood pressure, or related to lungs which are less likely
However I strongly recommend you to undergo the above test in a week or two.
If you need any clarification you may ask for the same and I would be happy to reciprocate.
Regards Dr. Priyank Mody
Do get a treadmill stress test / nuclear stress perfusion scan
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam,
The symptoms you described are very characteristic of heart, it's what we called exertional chest pain / breathlessness. Considering your age, long standing cholesterol. I would recommend you to undergo a treadmill stress test or a nuclear stress test, both would be ok. Nuclear is better in terms of it gives exactly which area of heart is at fault.
2 d echo would go wrong after there is damage to the heart, so that wouldn't be the right test in this context.
If the above investigation is normal, we should try finding other causes of your symptoms like decreased hemoglobin, thyroid related, increase in blood pressure, or related to lungs which are less likely
However I strongly recommend you to undergo the above test in a week or two.
If you need any clarification you may ask for the same and I would be happy to reciprocate.
Regards Dr. Priyank Mody
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
You are saying that I should have those tests even though I had them all two years ago?
Brief Answer:
A stress test for heart and pulmonary function test for lungs would be idea
Detailed Answer:
Yes mam, I am suggesting only one test either treadmill stress test or nuclear perfusion scan,
As your symptoms are may be likely heart related.
Also simultaneously a pulmonary function test, better as compared to chest x ray as it checks the function capacity of your lungs would complete the spectrum of investigation.
Even if we go by guidelines, as such a stress test has validity till 18 months, so we are 2 years plus
And as I have discussed if that is negative, you may safely rule out cardiac cause and than Evaluate for other common causes I had just mentioned.
Also if you upload last investigation you have done I may be in a better position to recommend the best future course of action
Hopefully I could help.
Regards.
A stress test for heart and pulmonary function test for lungs would be idea
Detailed Answer:
Yes mam, I am suggesting only one test either treadmill stress test or nuclear perfusion scan,
As your symptoms are may be likely heart related.
Also simultaneously a pulmonary function test, better as compared to chest x ray as it checks the function capacity of your lungs would complete the spectrum of investigation.
Even if we go by guidelines, as such a stress test has validity till 18 months, so we are 2 years plus
And as I have discussed if that is negative, you may safely rule out cardiac cause and than Evaluate for other common causes I had just mentioned.
Also if you upload last investigation you have done I may be in a better position to recommend the best future course of action
Hopefully I could help.
Regards.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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