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What Causes Swelling In Heart And Chest Pain?
Question: Hi
I am 49 years old male. Over the weekend, I had a very severe pain near my heart which was unbearable. I was taken to Emergency Room in the local hospital where doctors kept me overnight for observation. They told me that there was some swelling to my heart which caused this pain. They told me to follow up my with my doctor. I do not have insurance coverage at this month, I am worried as to what could have caused this swelling to the heart. I do not smoke or drink. I will appreciate your advice.
Regards
I am 49 years old male. Over the weekend, I had a very severe pain near my heart which was unbearable. I was taken to Emergency Room in the local hospital where doctors kept me overnight for observation. They told me that there was some swelling to my heart which caused this pain. They told me to follow up my with my doctor. I do not have insurance coverage at this month, I am worried as to what could have caused this swelling to the heart. I do not smoke or drink. I will appreciate your advice.
Regards
Brief Answer:
I would epxlain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that your chest pain if sufficient suspicions about a responsible cardiac issue exists, may be due to a cardiac ischemia event, as well as a pericardial (layers surrounding the heart) inflammation.
Considering "swelling to your heart" which is a very general and not a technical term, it may be dealt with either of them.
Coming to this point, a careful physical exam, a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound would properly address the right reason.
I suppose the above tests are performed to the ER, and if you have any available report, I would be happy to review them for a second professional opinion.
If cardiac ischemia is suspected, an exercise cardiac stress test would be helpful in confirming the diagnosis.
You should know that in general coronary heart disease are caused by premature atherosclerosis, which may be more progressive in the presence of certain coronary risk factors, such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, heredity for CAD, smoking, etc.
If you keep following a healthy life style and avoid such coronary risks in the future you could control further progression of atherosclerosis.
If pericardial inflammation is suspected and confirmed, then some anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc) would be of great relief.
Hope this answer would be of some help to you!
In case of further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would epxlain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that your chest pain if sufficient suspicions about a responsible cardiac issue exists, may be due to a cardiac ischemia event, as well as a pericardial (layers surrounding the heart) inflammation.
Considering "swelling to your heart" which is a very general and not a technical term, it may be dealt with either of them.
Coming to this point, a careful physical exam, a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound would properly address the right reason.
I suppose the above tests are performed to the ER, and if you have any available report, I would be happy to review them for a second professional opinion.
If cardiac ischemia is suspected, an exercise cardiac stress test would be helpful in confirming the diagnosis.
You should know that in general coronary heart disease are caused by premature atherosclerosis, which may be more progressive in the presence of certain coronary risk factors, such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, heredity for CAD, smoking, etc.
If you keep following a healthy life style and avoid such coronary risks in the future you could control further progression of atherosclerosis.
If pericardial inflammation is suspected and confirmed, then some anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc) would be of great relief.
Hope this answer would be of some help to you!
In case of further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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