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What Causes Chest Tightness?
Question: Chest tightness last 7 days. Left side under arm seems squishy. not bruised. edema in legs..left.leg.is worse. 46 yo male. Father has CHF. Does this look enlarged? possible causes and treatments?
Brief Answer:
Doesn't seem to be affecting heart...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Chest tightness is known to occur with heart, lungs and food pipe problems. Careful clinical examination and some base line tests are absolutely necessary if we are going to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.
That being said, I said it doesn't seem to be affecting heart because chronic heart failure has long history and acute heart failure presents with more worser breathing difficulties than what you just described.
The picture that you posted didn't reveal any abnormal signs. It does however makes me feel you have extra fat deposits which may or may not be a reason for limb swelling. We should test your thyroid hormones to rule out hypothyroidism and blood sugar in such cases. Since you have a positive family history, I will also encourage you to get your cholesterol, base line EKG / echocardiogram and basic heart check up done. The tests serves two purposes - puts your fear about heart ailment to rest and guides your doctors to implement actions that shall prevent future heart ailments.
In the interim, I will start you on proton pump inhibitor drugs like prilosec OTC (omeprazole) once a day for 2 weeks. Will recommend good rest and no strenuous physical activities.
The bottom line is you don't seem to have heart failure or a serious heart ailment given that you have a short and less than severe symptoms. But it's definitely worthwhile to see a doctor for further evaluation.
Hope this helped. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Doesn't seem to be affecting heart...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Chest tightness is known to occur with heart, lungs and food pipe problems. Careful clinical examination and some base line tests are absolutely necessary if we are going to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.
That being said, I said it doesn't seem to be affecting heart because chronic heart failure has long history and acute heart failure presents with more worser breathing difficulties than what you just described.
The picture that you posted didn't reveal any abnormal signs. It does however makes me feel you have extra fat deposits which may or may not be a reason for limb swelling. We should test your thyroid hormones to rule out hypothyroidism and blood sugar in such cases. Since you have a positive family history, I will also encourage you to get your cholesterol, base line EKG / echocardiogram and basic heart check up done. The tests serves two purposes - puts your fear about heart ailment to rest and guides your doctors to implement actions that shall prevent future heart ailments.
In the interim, I will start you on proton pump inhibitor drugs like prilosec OTC (omeprazole) once a day for 2 weeks. Will recommend good rest and no strenuous physical activities.
The bottom line is you don't seem to have heart failure or a serious heart ailment given that you have a short and less than severe symptoms. But it's definitely worthwhile to see a doctor for further evaluation.
Hope this helped. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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