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What Causes Dull Pain In Shoulders After Smoking?
Question: When I smoke a cigarette I get a dull pain in my left shoulder and my left arm should I be worried that it's a early heart attack symptom?
Brief Answer:
you must under get ECG
Detailed Answer:
hello,
I have gone through your query.Thanks for using HCM.
Pain in left shoulder and arm may be due heart problem but not necessarily. As smoking is a risk factor for heart disease you should get your ECG done and also get exercise stress test if resting ECG is normal.
If these reports are normal you can be sure that it is not related to heart and consult an orthopaedic surgeon .
Most importantly please give up smoking.
My best wishes
Dr.Rajesh Teli,MD.
you must under get ECG
Detailed Answer:
hello,
I have gone through your query.Thanks for using HCM.
Pain in left shoulder and arm may be due heart problem but not necessarily. As smoking is a risk factor for heart disease you should get your ECG done and also get exercise stress test if resting ECG is normal.
If these reports are normal you can be sure that it is not related to heart and consult an orthopaedic surgeon .
Most importantly please give up smoking.
My best wishes
Dr.Rajesh Teli,MD.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I have had both of them and they came back good. what will a orthopedic surgeon do for me?
Brief Answer:
your shoulder pain is not due to heart problem
Detailed Answer:
hello,
As your ECG and stress test are normal we are now sure that your pain is not due to heart problem.Though less likely but we must always rule out heart condition as it may lead to sudden crisis.In your case now we are sure that you are not at a risk of imminent heart problem.
So we would like to know what exact is the cause ?
It can be simple muscular and so may respond to simple analgesic like Aceclofenac 100 mg twice a day for 5 days.If it still persists we must rule out joint problem like periarthritis shoulder or pain originating from neck due to Cervical spondylosis.
both these conditions will be diagnosed by an orthopaedic surgeon.He will assess you clinically and ask for Xray as per his judgement,
I hope you are not diabetic,
My best wishes
Dr.Teli.
your shoulder pain is not due to heart problem
Detailed Answer:
hello,
As your ECG and stress test are normal we are now sure that your pain is not due to heart problem.Though less likely but we must always rule out heart condition as it may lead to sudden crisis.In your case now we are sure that you are not at a risk of imminent heart problem.
So we would like to know what exact is the cause ?
It can be simple muscular and so may respond to simple analgesic like Aceclofenac 100 mg twice a day for 5 days.If it still persists we must rule out joint problem like periarthritis shoulder or pain originating from neck due to Cervical spondylosis.
both these conditions will be diagnosed by an orthopaedic surgeon.He will assess you clinically and ask for Xray as per his judgement,
I hope you are not diabetic,
My best wishes
Dr.Teli.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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