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What Causes Sudden Pressure Sensation In Upper Chest Area?

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Posted on Thu, 18 Aug 2016
Question: Sudden pressure upper chest. Feels like air has left lungs. Slight head ache over eyes. Feel weak. 10 - 15 min duration. Symptoms lessen if I sit for 20+ minutes. Re-occure 2 or 3 times a month. Previous diagnosis of AFIB and vein blockage.
2003 Open heart surgery Mitral valvue - repair with ring.
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Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome on HCM!

I passed carefully through your recent medical history and would like to explain that your current complaints need further clinical investigation.

a) Your chest discomfort (pressure over ches that is lessened if sitted for more than 20 min) raises suspicion about possible cardiac ischemia. This remains an option even if your resting ECG looks fine.

Coming to this point, other imagine studies, like:

- cardiac stress ECHO,
- nuclear perfusional cardiac stress test,
- coronary angio CT

would help to differentiate a possible cardiac ischemia as the responsible cause.

b) Also, investigation of heart rhythm is necessary to exclude/confirm possible episodes of recurrent atrial fibrillation with high ventricular response which may lead to the above clinical scenario too. These AFIB episodes are frequently not possible to be caught by the resting ECG (lasting for a few seconds).

c) Potential pulmonary embolism is also suspected under similar clinical symptomatology.

In this regard, a cardiac ultrasound for evaluating systolic pulmonary artery pressure; ventilation/perfusion lungs scan and pulmonary angio CT would be necessary for a correct clinical diagnosis.


I recommend discussing with your attending physician on the above mentioned issues, in order to an appropriate diagnostic workup for arriving to the exact responsible cause.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

In case of any further uncertaitnies, feel free to ask me again.

Kind regards,

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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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9536 Questions

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What Causes Sudden Pressure Sensation In Upper Chest Area?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome on HCM! I passed carefully through your recent medical history and would like to explain that your current complaints need further clinical investigation. a) Your chest discomfort (pressure over ches that is lessened if sitted for more than 20 min) raises suspicion about possible cardiac ischemia. This remains an option even if your resting ECG looks fine. Coming to this point, other imagine studies, like: - cardiac stress ECHO, - nuclear perfusional cardiac stress test, - coronary angio CT would help to differentiate a possible cardiac ischemia as the responsible cause. b) Also, investigation of heart rhythm is necessary to exclude/confirm possible episodes of recurrent atrial fibrillation with high ventricular response which may lead to the above clinical scenario too. These AFIB episodes are frequently not possible to be caught by the resting ECG (lasting for a few seconds). c) Potential pulmonary embolism is also suspected under similar clinical symptomatology. In this regard, a cardiac ultrasound for evaluating systolic pulmonary artery pressure; ventilation/perfusion lungs scan and pulmonary angio CT would be necessary for a correct clinical diagnosis. I recommend discussing with your attending physician on the above mentioned issues, in order to an appropriate diagnostic workup for arriving to the exact responsible cause. Hope you will find this answer helpful! In case of any further uncertaitnies, feel free to ask me again. Kind regards, Dr. Iliri