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Is Pain Across The Upper Chest With Tenderness In A Certain Area A Serious Concern?

Posted on Thu, 24 Feb 2022

Question: Hi this is a question for de Sharka I seem to be having an ache like pain across upper chest tender to touch in certain area and sometimes feel like air is being pushed out no shortness of breath normal blood pressure any suggestions

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your symptoms are not related to the heart.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Your symptoms are typical of a musculoskeletal pain, probably chostochondritis.
As a cardiologist, I would exclude any possible cardiac issues related to this symptomatology.

You should know that cardiac chest pain is not modulated by pressure on the chest, because the heart is located too deep.
Coming to this point, I would recommend taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the pain. Local warm packs can help too.
There is no reason to panic or perform any cardiac tests.
Anxiety is playing an important role in all this clinical situation too. So just try to relax!

Hope you will find this answer helpful!
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me again!
Wishing good health.

Dr.Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (35 hours later)

Hello thank u I do have another question I suffer from anxiety and take mertazapine went from 15 to 7.5 ans I noticed I have more anxiety which makes my heart beat faster as I am trying to come off them as they have made me put on to much weight can this anxiety harm my heart I am concerned

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Anxiety does not cause any harm to the heart, if blood pressure values are under control.

So, you should not worry about it.

It is normal to have some palpitations during anxiety and physical activity in every healthy and normal individual and this is a normal physiological reaction which does not make any harm.

It seems that you are having rebound anxiety while reducing the doses of mirtazapine.

For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your prescribing physician about this and the possibility of reducing more gradually the dose of mirtazapine in order to avoid such rebound symptoms. The dose that you are taking now is really small and there is no reason to worry about weight.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again!
Wishing a pleasant weekend,
Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (17 minutes later)

My blood pressuee last taken was 120/70 ans usually ranges from 115/70 to 125/85 but with anxiety it would also raise but usually I have no blood pressure issues I am safe to exercise

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Your blood pressure values seem to be perfectly normal.
So, it is OK to perform as much physical activity as you like.
You should also know that some spikes in blood pressure during anxiety or physical activity are not harmful and do not need to be treated.
So, just relax and don't worry about it!

Hope to have been helpful to you!
I remain at your disposal whenever you need!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (29 hours later)

Thank you so much one more thing I seem to have this pain in my left arm, same place all the time does not move just local if I palputae it hurts also right side of inner sturnum pain same place. Comes and goes again hurts to touch blood pressure is good breathing good I do have bursitis in left arm and Costo in my chest do u think I need further cardiac testing
Thanks

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is no need for further tests.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

The pain in this region is typical of local inflammation ( bursitis and chostochondritis respectively).
I don't think that you need to perform any additional cardiac tests, because such localised pain which is modulated by touching is not related to the heart.
So, in my opinion, you have nothing to worry about!

If you have any other questions I would be glad to answer at any time!
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj