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What Causes Pain In Left Side Of Chest?
Question: I'm 48, female, overweight at 5'4, 200 lbs. My heart and chest area on my left side seem to be sore, it actually feels like my heart is sore, even though I know that can't be the case. I just walked 3 flights of stairs and thought I was going to die, not because of pain but because of being so out of breath. Obviously, I am out of shape...but I am curious to what would make my heart "feel" sore. A couple of days ago I felt a fluttering feeling in my heart...but my chest has felt this way for over a year.
Brief Answer:
More investigations are necessary
Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
This description does not suggest Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). – Pain from the heart is oppressing, in central chest (and left), worse on effort, relieved by rest, may radiate to shoulders and arms, associated with sweating and so on. However, it is better to rule out – have a Treadmill Exercise Electrocardiogram (TMT) repeated / since the last one was 2 years before...
Fluttering’ of heartbeats need to be DOCUMENTED by ElectroCardioGram (EKG). Standard ECG records the electrical activity of the heart, for a few seconds. It can detect the arrhythmia occurring during that time only. If the episode occurs randomly or is precipitated by a specific activity - one needs Holter or event monitor.
Most people can manage 2 flights of stairs; many may become breathless at 3 flights… Spirometry (Lung Function Test) and Chest X-ray will be useful to evaluate further…. Conditions like asthma are often diagnosed by examination and corroborated by these…
‘Soreness’ could be from chest wall muscle spasm from posture and/ or Anxiety
Esophagitis may be responsible and can be ruled out by endoscopy…
You need more investigations, though not urgently
Keep following up with your primary Care Provider…
Take care
Good luck
More investigations are necessary
Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
This description does not suggest Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). – Pain from the heart is oppressing, in central chest (and left), worse on effort, relieved by rest, may radiate to shoulders and arms, associated with sweating and so on. However, it is better to rule out – have a Treadmill Exercise Electrocardiogram (TMT) repeated / since the last one was 2 years before...
Fluttering’ of heartbeats need to be DOCUMENTED by ElectroCardioGram (EKG). Standard ECG records the electrical activity of the heart, for a few seconds. It can detect the arrhythmia occurring during that time only. If the episode occurs randomly or is precipitated by a specific activity - one needs Holter or event monitor.
Most people can manage 2 flights of stairs; many may become breathless at 3 flights… Spirometry (Lung Function Test) and Chest X-ray will be useful to evaluate further…. Conditions like asthma are often diagnosed by examination and corroborated by these…
‘Soreness’ could be from chest wall muscle spasm from posture and/ or Anxiety
Esophagitis may be responsible and can be ruled out by endoscopy…
You need more investigations, though not urgently
Keep following up with your primary Care Provider…
Take care
Good luck
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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