Chest discomfrot?

Question

I am a 29-year male and I experience chest discomfort and pain in my left arm and in back of my shoulder. However this has been happening about every day for the last year. I have had about three EKG's and a stress test about 6 months ago. Living with these symptoms are making my life miserable. I don't know if I am a heart attack waiting to happen or what. I am so tired of going to the doctor because they say nothing is wrong with me. They tell me just to lose the weight and lower my cholosterol. Why do I continue to have all these symptoms on a daily basis. It is really driving my life crazy. Someone please help!

Answer 1

Seriously, if the doctors are confident that it isn't your heart, then I'd suggest several course of action.

1) Get a massage! The pain could be transfering from your neck and back to your chest (happened to me once, thought it was a heart attack.) My back was in spasm from too much work at the computer and it finally reached around and got the chest muscles involved too.

2) Get some exercize, mild at first, as it also helps relieve stress and decrease stress related pain. I started walking when I got out of the hospital, just 1/2 mile a day at first. It makes me feel better and I am losing a little weight as well.

3) Look into ways you can lower your cholestrol without medication. Maybe take the 'oatmeal' challenge and see if eating a bowl a day helps. My boss swears by it!

Answer 2

The only person beside myself that is qualified to answer a question like this is AMY. (I'll get crazy about laymen answering in this catagory toward the end). If you were not seeing a Cardiologist, you need to make your first move by doing this. (I'm alot meaner than Amy is, and that's why I'm going to slam you a bit harder than she did.) And... if he/she was a cardiologist, I agree with the few who suggested that you find another doc. The most important thing you can do to get the answers you need and deserve is to find someone that will listen to you, and respect you. You need to ask questions. You need to understand that this is your responsibility too. So many people are content in allowing their doctor make all the decisions when it comes to diagnosing and treatment. A good doctor will be very open to your questions and concerns. If you have to see a dozen, then that's what you need to do. You are desperate in your present state, and ofcourse it's driving you crazy. Yes, you needed to be referred when he found nothing. This was the least he could have done. You have to feel comfortable with the answers you get, and the only way to accomplish this is, start with a person you can relate to you, and who can relate to you. Medicine these days is sometimes scary. If I were a layman, I would be lost, too.

Also, there are many kinds of stress tests, and an EKG is pretty much useless, There are exceptions to this, but even then they alone can't be used as a diagnostic tool

Here's my crazy time. DO NOT ASK or ANSWER medical questions online, or share your concerns with anyone but a professional. If you were to take the advise of people who answered this question for you, you might get yourself in big trouble. What I worry about most are askers that accept an answer that makes them the most comfortable, instead of the obvious correct one? How do you know who's qualified to give a correct answer? You don't. You may get lucky, as you did today, but do you really want to take the chance again? The answer is, ofcourse, no. The only way to be safe, again, is to stop asking, and stop answering. And... everyone reading this should be getting the big picture. Opinions do not count. How would you feel if your Dad took advise from someone who gave an incorrect answer, and risked his health?

I wish you the very best.

Grizz

Answer 3

You need a second opinion since you are not getting the information you need.You may need to see a cardiologist for a more complete work-up.I act as health advocate for the heart-patients in my family so I do know that it's best to get another opinion when you are not happy with what you have;you are not happy with the care that you are receiving,which just adds to the stress you are already under,so just find a new doctor.

Losing weight,switching over to a low-fat,low cholesterol,low-sodium diet is what many people need to do,not just heart patients. The loss of weight and healthier diet are often the first defense in the battle against heart disease.You are young,so there may be a reluctance to start you off on a medicine regime right off the bat.

Answer 4

Does this pain occur when you are sitting down or when you are active? This will differentiate between possible effort vs. unstable angina - effort angina can be relieved with NO pills.

But the fact that your EKG looks good (& you're only 29) means that it probably isn't either of these. Be aware that the most common cause of chest comfort is really due to heartburn. You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Consider picking something up over the counter at the drug store.

Answer 5

The fact that your stress test was okay should direct your physician to look at other possible causes for your discomfort. What does the doctor say is causing the discomfort, since he doesn't think it is cardiac?? There are about 120 different things that can cause the symptoms you describe. You need to let the doctor know that you are still having trouble and let him proceed to evaluate you for other problems or refer you to a subspecialist if needed.

Answer 6

Have doctors done a complete blood panel? Pay attention to your Thyroid levels. Not only women have thyroid problems--which have many different symptoms--including nerve pain and muscular pain. If you have had a lot of stress--check your adrenals and thyroids. Exercise daily, change some of your lifestyle habits, and balance your diet. Therapeutic massage may help--it could be that you have some muscles that are shortened, pressing against nerves in your arms--rotator cuff issues.

Answer 7

Just lose some weight like the doctor told you, and if that doesn't help find yourself another doctor. Excess weight can and will cause health problems, and I would say that is probably what is wrong with you.

Answer 8

well, lose some weight then. If the doctor says you need to, then it can't be good.
I do agree about doctors... I don't see them much anymore, most of them really don't know much more than I do and they want a ton of money just to tell you what you already know.

Answer 9

I am also 29 and had chronic chest pain and I found out that i had a syndrone called Tietze's Syndrome !! It comes and goes...it us usually found in women. I hope this helps.

Answer 10

Contact a neurologist.