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What Causes Twitching In The Left Side Of The Chest?
Question: Hi
I need some help my left chest twitches for a few seconds. It can happen all day then for 2 weeks there will be nothing. Then the twitching will start. Could this be muscle or heart related?
I am a health anxiety sufferer.
I need some help my left chest twitches for a few seconds. It can happen all day then for 2 weeks there will be nothing. Then the twitching will start. Could this be muscle or heart related?
I am a health anxiety sufferer.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms are not related to any cardiac disorder.
Thy are caused by muscular contractions, which could be related to different causes:
- an electrolyte imbalance including potassium, sodium and calcium
- thyroid dysfunction
- a nerve compression in the cervico-thoracic spine leading to irradiating back pain to the chest and muscular twitching
- anxiety can also mimic all this clinical situation
- in case of generalized muscular twitching in all your body, epilepsy should be considered.
As they disappear for some weeks, this could indicate a benign metabolic cause (such as electrolyte imbalance, thyroid dysfunction). Anxiety and physical activity could also play an important role in this clinical scenario.
If the problem persists, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:
- a complete blood count for anemia
- blood electrolytes for possible imbalance
- vitamin D levels for possible deficiency
- thyroid hormone levels
- inflammation tests (PCR, sedimentation rate for inflammation)
- a cervico-thoracic spine X ray study.
Anyway, It does not seem to be anything concerning. I think that you should focus on your anxiety as it is known to exacerbate this situation. Drugs which help manage anxiety (Xanax, antidepressants) can also help reduce these muscular jerks.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask me again whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms are not related to any cardiac disorder.
Thy are caused by muscular contractions, which could be related to different causes:
- an electrolyte imbalance including potassium, sodium and calcium
- thyroid dysfunction
- a nerve compression in the cervico-thoracic spine leading to irradiating back pain to the chest and muscular twitching
- anxiety can also mimic all this clinical situation
- in case of generalized muscular twitching in all your body, epilepsy should be considered.
As they disappear for some weeks, this could indicate a benign metabolic cause (such as electrolyte imbalance, thyroid dysfunction). Anxiety and physical activity could also play an important role in this clinical scenario.
If the problem persists, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:
- a complete blood count for anemia
- blood electrolytes for possible imbalance
- vitamin D levels for possible deficiency
- thyroid hormone levels
- inflammation tests (PCR, sedimentation rate for inflammation)
- a cervico-thoracic spine X ray study.
Anyway, It does not seem to be anything concerning. I think that you should focus on your anxiety as it is known to exacerbate this situation. Drugs which help manage anxiety (Xanax, antidepressants) can also help reduce these muscular jerks.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask me again whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for a very detailed answer. So you would say its not heart related. Can anxiety cause such symptoms?
Brief Answer:
Your symptoms are not related to any cardiac disorders.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
As a cardiologist I can assure you that your symptoms are not related to any cardiac disorders.
So relax and do not worry about it!
Anxiety could be the cause of all this symptomatology.
Another possible cause to consider would be electrolyte imbalance. I recommend checking your electrolytes levels and vitamin D levels for possible deficiency.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Your symptoms are not related to any cardiac disorders.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
As a cardiologist I can assure you that your symptoms are not related to any cardiac disorders.
So relax and do not worry about it!
Anxiety could be the cause of all this symptomatology.
Another possible cause to consider would be electrolyte imbalance. I recommend checking your electrolytes levels and vitamin D levels for possible deficiency.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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