Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Persistent Pain In Chest?
Question: I'm having chest pain. It is not a sharp pain, but very uncomfortable. One year ago my doctor said it was in the wall of my chest and recommended a heat pad. That helped, but now I've been using the heat for 2 weeks and the pain remains.
Brief Answer:
Some heart tests
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir. Welcome to HCM and thank you for your question. I understand your concern.
Every member of male population, above 45 years old, is prone to cardiovascular disease and, in particular, to coronary artery disease. The symptom you are describing, like a heaviness or tenderness in your chest, is more like an angina (pain in the mid chest coming from narrowings within the coronary arteries). This is not conclusive, as there are other medical conditions that may cause this. Therefore, some cardiac tests should be run, added that you are an 82 year old.
- EKG - to evaluate the electrical system of your heart, during resting state
- echo cardiogram - to assess the heart chambers and valves, by means of integrity, size, motility and function.
- cardiac stress test - which is basically an EKG run when your body is on physical activity.
Based on the results from these tests, a coronary angiography may be recommended to you, to exactly quantify the narrowings withing the coronary arteries, if there are any.
If every test comes back normal, then gastritis may be suspected, and a 28-day course of a protein pump inhibitor (omeprazole, pantoprazole) should be initiated.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. Feel free to ask follow-up questions, as I am ready to help. Please rate the answer, if you do not.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Some heart tests
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir. Welcome to HCM and thank you for your question. I understand your concern.
Every member of male population, above 45 years old, is prone to cardiovascular disease and, in particular, to coronary artery disease. The symptom you are describing, like a heaviness or tenderness in your chest, is more like an angina (pain in the mid chest coming from narrowings within the coronary arteries). This is not conclusive, as there are other medical conditions that may cause this. Therefore, some cardiac tests should be run, added that you are an 82 year old.
- EKG - to evaluate the electrical system of your heart, during resting state
- echo cardiogram - to assess the heart chambers and valves, by means of integrity, size, motility and function.
- cardiac stress test - which is basically an EKG run when your body is on physical activity.
Based on the results from these tests, a coronary angiography may be recommended to you, to exactly quantify the narrowings withing the coronary arteries, if there are any.
If every test comes back normal, then gastritis may be suspected, and a 28-day course of a protein pump inhibitor (omeprazole, pantoprazole) should be initiated.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. Feel free to ask follow-up questions, as I am ready to help. Please rate the answer, if you do not.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
