What causes pinching chest pain?

Posted on Mon, 1 Jun 2015

Question: I have been getting a squeezing or pinching chest pain for several months. I've been hospitalized several times each time nothing is found. Numerous ekg, a positive stress test, but all clear on my angiogram. I'm having the pain right now but don't want to go in because I think they want to call me crazy. Any idea what to do?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
GERD or cervical spine lesions to be excluded...

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

You are experiencing chest discomfort and pain for several months now, that isn't related to cardiac problems (since they found nothing on cardiac examinations especially angiogram).

This is why if you were my patient i would look for other etiologies to your problems. Your symptoms may be caused by GERD (Gastro esophageal reflux disease or other gastrointestinal problems), or muskulo skeletal problems (especially cervical spine lesions).

If you were my patient I would recommend to do:
- Abdominal echo
- Upper endoscopy
- Head and neck x ray and MRI
This will exclude acid reflux or cervical spine damage.

If everything will be ok than your symptoms may be related to stress.

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar