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What Causes Severe Left-sided Chest Pain?
Question: I am having sharp pains in my chest and it causes my whole left side of my hand & my ring finger and pinky finger to go completely numb so that I can not feel them. it never completely wakes up. This has been going on for about a month on and off. But this week it has seem to have gotten worst.
Brief Answer:
Need examination and investigation
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Your symptoms do not suggest Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) – pain from the heart is oppressing, in central chest (and left), worse on effort, relieved by rest, may radiate to arms, associated with sweating and so on. However, at this age, it is better to have a routine ECG / IF NORMAL, TREADMILL EXERCISE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (TMT) to exclude CAD
This pain is likely to be nerve root pain – pressure on the nerve roots as they exit the vertebral column. A neurological examination and investigations are in order. An MRI of the cervical spine can reveal structural problems, like deformity, degeneration etc. Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction studies may be done depending on clinical findings and at his discretion
In the meantime, rest, hot packs, Over The Counter (OTC) Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) like Ibuprofen can help / Muscle relaxants help –
Prognosis is generally excellent in such situations
Good luck
God bless you
Need examination and investigation
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Your symptoms do not suggest Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) – pain from the heart is oppressing, in central chest (and left), worse on effort, relieved by rest, may radiate to arms, associated with sweating and so on. However, at this age, it is better to have a routine ECG / IF NORMAL, TREADMILL EXERCISE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (TMT) to exclude CAD
This pain is likely to be nerve root pain – pressure on the nerve roots as they exit the vertebral column. A neurological examination and investigations are in order. An MRI of the cervical spine can reveal structural problems, like deformity, degeneration etc. Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction studies may be done depending on clinical findings and at his discretion
In the meantime, rest, hot packs, Over The Counter (OTC) Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) like Ibuprofen can help / Muscle relaxants help –
Prognosis is generally excellent in such situations
Good luck
God bless you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Where is your vertebral column? So, this is not signs of a heart attack?
Brief Answer:
'Spine" / YES- not like heart...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Vertebral column is the name for the spine – 32 bones stacked upon each other in the mid-back / from the base of the skull down / encasing the spinal cord /
This does NOT sound like heart attack / The only sure way is to have an ECG and blood test for enzyme (CPK & Troponin = cardiac markers) - a matter of minutes / Emergency department can do it and clear the issue
Regards
'Spine" / YES- not like heart...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Vertebral column is the name for the spine – 32 bones stacked upon each other in the mid-back / from the base of the skull down / encasing the spinal cord /
This does NOT sound like heart attack / The only sure way is to have an ECG and blood test for enzyme (CPK & Troponin = cardiac markers) - a matter of minutes / Emergency department can do it and clear the issue
Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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