Chest Pain... questions.

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MrYogi

Platinum Member
Mar 15, 2003
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Originally posted by: thebestMAX
Sounds to me more like heartburn AKA Acid Reflux. The new catchall when Drs hear chest pains with no other symptoms to back up heart trouble but if so a simple pill everyday wil heal/fix.

Still, go get checked out!!!!

yes, probably heartburn. but it is better to see a doctor.
 

jst0ney

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2003
2,629
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You HAVE to get this checked out. The fact that this is bothering you enough to post here should be enough of a warning to get a cardiac work up. With your health insurance you will probably have to pay a $30-60 copay.

It sounds as if you are able to exercise so they will do a 12 lead EKG stress test. This will involve a gradual increase in stress (exercise). They may also do an adenosine cardolite test.

What you have sounds like angina which is easy to diagnose and ease to treat.




OK screw everything I just wrote. My roommate is a medical student and he says that this is a very atypical presentation of angina. Most of the time sharp pain is musculoskeletal. It could even be realted to asthma. Most heart pains are pressure like not sharp pains.

It may costocongritis if it is reproducable, that is if you palpate it (push on it) does it hurt. You need to get checked out it though to rule out heart problems.

OMG this is a random post. If you tell me more about it I will try write a more concise post.
 

msarusac

Junior Member
Feb 12, 2003
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while a lot of people are trying to be helpful and trying to diagnose your problem...please ignore all that and see a doctor NOW.

chest pain should never be taken lightly...going to a hospital might just save your life
 

mandala

Senior member
Dec 24, 2003
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Most of the time chest pain is not something serious, but, as other people have reminded you, occasionally it can be the sign of something very serious. Do you have a student health center where you go to school that you could try to go to tomorrow and get checked out? Can you call your insurance company (or look online) to find a "preferred doctor" that you could call in the morning about getting an appointment? Do some research tonight and get in to see someone tomorrow, so you can figure out what is going on and put your wife at ease.
 

Bolvangar

Golden Member
May 20, 2001
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Originally posted by: RavnShield
Please get yourself to a doctor. I have had chest pain, shortness of breath, jaw pain for well over 3 years. Went to two docs, one in 99 and another in 02. Both said I was ok and my cholesterol was a lil high at 190.

In 03, i decided to get in shape...went from 165lbs to 140lbs and dropped my cholesterol to 148. My diet went from $hit to well balanced one.

Even after all that, four weeks ago I had a heart attack at the age of 19. Part of my lower heart is damaged and i have the stamina of a sumo wrestler now. Its called coronary artery spasm and my idiot doctors failed to treat me right.

Get yourself to a physician right away AND a cardiologist, i would have been ok if i was refered to a cardiologist...

Heart attack at 19? That is crazy...... Did you ever say/do anything about the docs that said you were okay?
 

jst0ney

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2003
2,629
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You could have a septal defect too. I know of a person who died of this while running the chichago marathon. Bottom line is this. ATOF is no place to get medical advice. There is no way anybody here could get enough information. Go get checked out ASAP!
 

StinkyPinky

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2002
6,956
1,268
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You should always get chest and heart problems checked out ASAP regardless of age. It's probably something minor, but get it seen too. I myself have an irregular heart beat.
 

StinkyPinky

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2002
6,956
1,268
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Originally posted by: RavnShield
Please get yourself to a doctor. I have had chest pain, shortness of breath, jaw pain for well over 3 years. Went to two docs, one in 99 and another in 02. Both said I was ok and my cholesterol was a lil high at 190.

In 03, i decided to get in shape...went from 165lbs to 140lbs and dropped my cholesterol to 148. My diet went from $hit to well balanced one.

Even after all that, four weeks ago I had a heart attack at the age of 19. Part of my lower heart is damaged and i have the stamina of a sumo wrestler now. Its called coronary artery spasm and my idiot doctors failed to treat me right.

Get yourself to a physician right away AND a cardiologist, i would have been ok if i was refered to a cardiologist...


That is terrible! :( You should complain about those doctors. The second one should have sent you to a caridlogist since you already had a history of chest pain.
 

tweakmm

Lifer
May 28, 2001
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You say only 10% of people who go to the doctor with chest pains actuatly have a heart attack as if that is a low probability. 10% is pretty high when you are gambling with your life.
 

Xenon14

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,065
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Originally posted by: msarusac
while a lot of people are trying to be helpful and trying to diagnose your problem...please ignore all that and see a doctor NOW.

chest pain should never be taken lightly...going to a hospital might just save your life

heh.. u do see the hipocracy in your post right? (your post telling him not to pay attention to any posts). That's like me saying, "I know for a fact there's not such thing as a fact."

...anyways I know what you're saying and I agree... the diagnosis by anandtechies is irrelevant. See a doctor.

 

slydecix

Golden Member
Jul 16, 2001
1,898
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I'm pretty sure this is lung-related... I heard that there have been a lot of viruses going around that cause chest discomfort

My roommate was complaining about the exact same thing today actually- constant pain in the left side of the chest, about armpit level. It intensifies if he tries to take deep breaths or cough.

Still, I'm urging him to go to the doctor tomorrow. You should go check it out too.
 

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
2
81
I talked to a nurse at school. She said it was probably Acid Reflux, and to take some antacids for a few days. If that doesnt work then I should talk to the doctor at school.


 

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
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I went to the ER


They did an EKG, blood work up, and chest x-rays, they came up with nothing. No positive signs.


So he told me it was probably a chest wall infection that would go away eventually and to just take some motrin.




so either

1) He's wrong and its something worse
2) He's right, and I wasted time/money by going.

He seemed to come up with the conclusion because all he had to go by was the heart pain...


opinions?
 

iliopsoas

Golden Member
Jul 14, 2001
1,844
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DISCLAIMER: Do NOT accept this as medical advice. Please consult your physician.

Ok, now that I got the disclaimer out of the way, let me add my 2 cents. I'm a physician and although I don't do clinical medicine, I still know a little :)

You guys are freaking the poor guy out!! There is nothing but hysteria and lots of false information here.

Risk factors for coronary artery disease: male sex, age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, history of prior heart attack and family history. There are other "soft" risk factors as well. In young people, cocaine and amphetamine use place you at risk for heart attacks.

You're young and your cholesterol is normal. So first thing first. The odds of you having coronary artery disease is low. Especially if you don't have any of the above risk factors. (yeah, better quit smoking and doing drugs!) This should reassure you somewhat.

The symptoms of a heart attack are substernal chest pain/pressure that is caused by exertion and relieved with rest/nitrates. This pain can radiate to the arms, jaw and neck (due to common neural pathways). May be associated with nausea/vomiting, lightheadedness, shortness of breath and sweating. Usually gradual onset of symptoms in increasing intensity. A heart attack should last 15 minutes to an hour. Sometimes, you won't feel any symptoms at all (silent myocardial infarction).

DISCLAIMER: Do NOT accept this as medical advice. Please consult your physician.


Some other things that may cause chest pain
1. Costochondritis: inflammation of the ribs-cartilage (costochrondral joints with localized pain). Hurts when the area is pressed or touched. Exacerbated by movement, deep breathing and improved by opposite. Most likely caused by repetitive minor trauma/activity.
2. Pneumonia. Fever, cough, phlegm (sometimes blood-tinged), shortness of breath, pain with inspiration.
3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. "Heartburn"
4. Pericarditis. Inflammation of the lining around your heart. Sometimes occurs following viral infections, autoimmune disease, TB to name a few.
5. Pulmonary embolism. A blood clot gets dislodged and sent to the pulmonary circulation. Some risk factors: being on oral contraceptives; clotting disorder; immobility or recent fractures.
6. Aortic dissection. A layer of the aorta separates from the rest of the blood vessel. Tearing pain that travels. Think John Ritter.
7. Pneumothorax. Air sacs get busted and the air escapes into your thoracic cavity.
8. Many other.


When you mention chest pain, the potentially lethal ones are MI, pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection and pneumothorax.

ASPIRIN is ASPIRIN is ASPIRIN. Bayer has a nice trademark and is widely recognized for aspirin. But ANY aspirin will do. For people over age 50 without any contraindications, it is advisable to take a baby aspirin (81mg) daily.

Whenever you have a bout of chest pain that is concerning for a heart attack, take 2 of the baby aspirins or a regular one and immediately seek medical attention. If you have sublingual nitroglycerin, take that as well.

DISCLAIMER: Do NOT accept this as medical advice. Please consult your physician.



If you have question about your chest pain, see your physician. He/she can always do an EKG, which is a rapid and cheap diagnostic to see if you have any history of a heart attack. You can then be referred to a cardiologist.

When people freak out and order all sorts of tests, you can suddenly find yourself with a very expensive medical bill. If everyone with chest pain get this done, our medical system would go broke. These tests can be very expensive and make cardiologists pretty darn rich.

To the guy with the echocardiogram above: Sounded pretty normal to me...but I defer to your primary physician

DISCLAIMER: Do NOT accept this as medical advice. Please consult your physician.
 

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,665
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How long does the pain last?

I get sharp pains in my chest that last for maybe 3 seconds. After extensive testing it turned out to be nerve damage in one of my chest muscles.

You can never tell.


When your limbs start to feel numb and turn color, then I would worry. If you get dizzy spells every other hour, then I would worry.

If you or your family have a history of heart related diseases, worry.

You sound like a young guy, I wouldn't worry to much.
 

msarusac

Junior Member
Feb 12, 2003
22
0
0
Originally posted by: Xenon14
Originally posted by: msarusac
while a lot of people are trying to be helpful and trying to diagnose your problem...please ignore all that and see a doctor NOW.

chest pain should never be taken lightly...going to a hospital might just save your life

heh.. u do see the hipocracy in your post right? (your post telling him not to pay attention to any posts). That's like me saying, "I know for a fact there's not such thing as a fact."

...anyways I know what you're saying and I agree... the diagnosis by anandtechies is irrelevant. See a doctor.



nope...all i said was tell him to ignore the posts regarding a diagnosis, but i didn't tell him to ignore the "see a doctor" advice...