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What Causes Pain On Left Side Of Chest And Constant Pain In Left Arm?

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Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2015
Question: I'm scared that I have heart trouble and I'm only 20 years old I was told I had chondritis in the er my chest x ray was normal they said but I get pains on the left side of my chest and my left arm always hurts
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
do not panic.

Detailed Answer:
Dear madam
The likelihood of an anginal heart disease or heart Attack as a cause of chest pain is extremely low in a 20 years old lady unless she is a heavy smoker, poorly controlled diabetes, collagen vascular disease with steroid treatment or severe hormonal imbalances.
The continuous pain in chest which increases on touch or pressure, does not increase on walking/ exertion, is related to cough or particular posture is much more likely to be due to a non-heart related cause.
Classical heart related anginal pain comes on exertion, relieves at rest and behind breastbone.
Exact non- cardiac cause can be established by examination only.
Hope this provides insight into issue. For chondritis like pain local application of moist heat and painkillers will help. Get a prescription from your GP. In case of persistent or troublesome symptoms consult your internist.
Feel free to discuss further.
Sincerely
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (10 minutes later)
When you say hormonal imbalance what do you mean specifically
When I lift things or cough I will feel the pain it's like a dull ache I've been getting jaw pain too. My left arm feel s like a muscle is always pulled
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
please see details

Detailed Answer:
Dear madam
Presence of estrogen with normal menstrual cycle in female prior to menopause is considered to have a protecting effect on coronary heart disease. It is seen that this effect is lost at menopause. Any disturbance in menstrual cycle which also effects normal hormonal balance between estrogen and progesterone may predispose to early occurrence of anginal heart disease. This is a possible association which is not absolute like most of the things in medicine.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (23 minutes later)
When I lift things or cough I will feel the pain it's like a dull ache I've been getting jaw pain too. My left arm feel s like a muscle is always pulled
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
likelihood of local pain is high

Detailed Answer:
Dear madam
The likelihood of local pain is high as per your description except for the jaw pain. If the jaw pain always accompanies the chest and arm pain? If it goes only to lower jaw? If it comes on chewing. ? Pain coming on chewing or jaw movement or involving upper jaw is not heart related. Lower jaw pain accompanying chest pain can be due to heart.
I would recommend examination by your GP to first look for local causes of pain like muscle bone soft tissue and lung related pain.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (39 minutes later)
I use to smoke heavy I stopped 2 months ago
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
please see details.

Detailed Answer:
Dear madam
Definitely smoking is a big risk factor but it does not automatically makes your pain cardiac.
As I explained you earlier too. A constant or continuous ache or pain in arm , increase in pain with cough are features disfavouring a cardiac pain. However there is pain and it needs to be evaluated. Historically it appears to be more of non-cardiac origin. You must be get evaluation from your GP first.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sukhvinder Singh

Cardiologist

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 1306 Questions

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What Causes Pain On Left Side Of Chest And Constant Pain In Left Arm?

Brief Answer: do not panic. Detailed Answer: Dear madam The likelihood of an anginal heart disease or heart Attack as a cause of chest pain is extremely low in a 20 years old lady unless she is a heavy smoker, poorly controlled diabetes, collagen vascular disease with steroid treatment or severe hormonal imbalances. The continuous pain in chest which increases on touch or pressure, does not increase on walking/ exertion, is related to cough or particular posture is much more likely to be due to a non-heart related cause. Classical heart related anginal pain comes on exertion, relieves at rest and behind breastbone. Exact non- cardiac cause can be established by examination only. Hope this provides insight into issue. For chondritis like pain local application of moist heat and painkillers will help. Get a prescription from your GP. In case of persistent or troublesome symptoms consult your internist. Feel free to discuss further. Sincerely