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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is Causing Sharp Pain In The Upper Left Chest?

My husband has a sharp electrical shooting pain in his upper left chest...and also like someone took tape and is ripping of the hair on that side of his chest. Had a weird shock sensation when he put sponge and soap on his chest. Should we be worried?
Wed, 26 Aug 2015
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Cardiologist 's  Response
Hello. Welcome to HCM and thank you for your question. I understand your concern.

Pain in the chest always needs further evaluation.
The most serious is the pain coming from a blockage in the coronary arteries, but this pain - angina - is described more like a heaviness or tenderness or squeezing pain in the mid chest, triggered by physical activity, and radiating to the left arm, left shoulder and the jaw. A sharp, stabbing pain in the chest is more a feature of other conditions, rather than coronary artery disease. Such pain can be produced from chronic, but rather from an acute, inflammation of the linings situated in the chest, such as pleura (lining of the lungs) and pericardium (lining of the heart). It also can be produced, if severe in intensity, from a suspected or possible ascending aorta aneurysm. Another, less serious cause, is costochondritis of the ribcage joints and bones. Therefore, at this moment, it is recommended that he does an EKG and an echocardiogram, for the evaluation of pericardium inflammation or fluid accumulation, and for the aortic aneurysm. Also, a plain chest X-ray, for pleural inflammation and costochondritis. After the tests are back, hopefully normal, we can discuss further. To alleviate the pain, he can use any drug from the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

I hope I was helpful with my answer. Take care.

Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
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What Is Causing Sharp Pain In The Upper Left Chest?

Hello. Welcome to HCM and thank you for your question. I understand your concern. Pain in the chest always needs further evaluation. The most serious is the pain coming from a blockage in the coronary arteries, but this pain - angina - is described more like a heaviness or tenderness or squeezing pain in the mid chest, triggered by physical activity, and radiating to the left arm, left shoulder and the jaw. A sharp, stabbing pain in the chest is more a feature of other conditions, rather than coronary artery disease. Such pain can be produced from chronic, but rather from an acute, inflammation of the linings situated in the chest, such as pleura (lining of the lungs) and pericardium (lining of the heart). It also can be produced, if severe in intensity, from a suspected or possible ascending aorta aneurysm. Another, less serious cause, is costochondritis of the ribcage joints and bones. Therefore, at this moment, it is recommended that he does an EKG and an echocardiogram, for the evaluation of pericardium inflammation or fluid accumulation, and for the aortic aneurysm. Also, a plain chest X-ray, for pleural inflammation and costochondritis. After the tests are back, hopefully normal, we can discuss further. To alleviate the pain, he can use any drug from the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). I hope I was helpful with my answer. Take care. Best regards, Dr. Meriton