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What Causes Chest Pain With Shortness Of Breath And Left Arm Pain?

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Posted on Tue, 15 Jul 2014
Question: I have been symptomatic for a few yrs, most recently it has intensified. Chest pains. Soreness breath. Left arm pain into fingers w some tingling sensation. Get chest spasms that accelerate heart rate. At times jaw pain. Dizziness when exerting . I had nuclear stress test 3 yrs ago but lead a stressful work career and not most healthiest eating habits. Minimal physical activity because I worry heart will be overworked. Recent normal stress test, EKG and echo were normal. Am I at risk, or should I trust multiple doctors saying ok? Worried about widow maker artery blockage
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
please see below.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir
A normal stress test, EKG and ECHO speak against existing significant coronary artery disease. However normalcy of none of these tests provide a future guarantee against heart attack. Therefore you are ok now; but your future can remain free from coronary artery disease if you follow proven life style modifications which help in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. These are
1. Do not smoke.
2. If you have diabetes and high blood pressure, keep it under good control.
3. Maintain ideal weight for your height.
4. Keep your cholesterol under normal limits. Avoid fried food, saturated fats and sweets.
5. Do regular exercise. Aim for cardiovascular fitness is to do brisk walking for at least 45 minutes a day at ~ speed of 7 km /hour. This is the goal and should be supervised.
6. Maintain stress free life style.

Unnecessarily worrying will add to your woes only. Try to maintain a better and healthy life style.

Hope this helps. Feel free to discuss further.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (2 hours later)
Thank you very much that is a relief. I was diagnosed w costo chondritis and sinovitis from an accident in which airbag impacted chest. Would that combined w anxiety explain my symptoms?

Have heart history issues in family for both grandfathers after age 45 but all children on each side (8 in total) have lived beyond 55yr old, as old as 70 and not one heart issue.

I failed to mention the echo revealed a bicuspid valve but was working perfectly and ejection fraction of 63%. Does that still make you feel the same about my cardio health?

Should I see a dr prior to exercising? A few months ago, I worked out strenuously for a 4 month period and did well but the anxiety of my heart stopping eventually caused me to quit.

Thank you again
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please see below

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir
1. The possibilities which could explain your symptoms (after considering that you had a normal stress test) will include the effect of old trauma, a lung disorder (like allergic bronchitis or asthma) or disorder of cervical spine (nerve related problem). They can be distinguished by a good internist / physician by clinical examination. Anxiety can mimic any disorder.
2. Bicuspid aortic valve in absence of obstruction or leakage is fine. Only 15 out of 100 individuals with bicuspid aortic valve will develop significant leakage or obstruction in middle to late adulthood.
3. Ideally, every exercise regimen should have your doctors approval, atleast in the beginning. However you can simply take your stress test (if exercise stress test) to him for his advise and approval.
4. Family history has its role, if one of your blood relatives had developed anginal heart disease before the age of 55 for males and before 65 for females. in that case you must adopt a healthier life style, because you can not change this risk factor or its effects.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
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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Answered by
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Dr. Sukhvinder Singh

Cardiologist

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 1306 Questions

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What Causes Chest Pain With Shortness Of Breath And Left Arm Pain?

Brief Answer: please see below. Detailed Answer: Dear Sir A normal stress test, EKG and ECHO speak against existing significant coronary artery disease. However normalcy of none of these tests provide a future guarantee against heart attack. Therefore you are ok now; but your future can remain free from coronary artery disease if you follow proven life style modifications which help in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. These are 1. Do not smoke. 2. If you have diabetes and high blood pressure, keep it under good control. 3. Maintain ideal weight for your height. 4. Keep your cholesterol under normal limits. Avoid fried food, saturated fats and sweets. 5. Do regular exercise. Aim for cardiovascular fitness is to do brisk walking for at least 45 minutes a day at ~ speed of 7 km /hour. This is the goal and should be supervised. 6. Maintain stress free life style. Unnecessarily worrying will add to your woes only. Try to maintain a better and healthy life style. Hope this helps. Feel free to discuss further. Sincerely Sukhvinder