i often have chest pain around my heart area,?

Question

every time i eat fatty foods my chest hurts, i used to eat a lot of fatty foodsand fried foods, i also smoke. when i exercise and eat fatty foods, it don't hurt or when i'm working, which is physical work, can any one give me some insight on this? is it a heart problem or anything related to it? i'm slowing up on fried and fatty foods, i eat a lot of boiled foods and cut down on pork also. i will be going to the doctor monday. i hope its not anything serious,
i have a four month old grandson and i would like to be around to see him grow up, among other things. so if someone could give me tips on how to eat healthier and tell me any kind of oils if any, that has less fats, i'll be grateful.

Answer 1

congrats on the grandson!

usually pain that coincides with when you eat is not typically from the heart, however eating a lot of fatty foods and smoking is in itself an increased risk for the heart (as are age, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, diabetes...).

pain from the heart is typically worse with any kind of excercise and exertion and gets better with rest. it can come with shortness of breath, sweating and nausea, it can be in the middle of your chest or on the left side, and the pain can radiate to both arms or towards your jaw.
it is often a pressure-like pain, or felt as heaviness or tightness, it's usually not stabbing or pinprick like.
in people with diabetes or in the elderly among others this is not always true and there can be a heart problem even without any pain, and there are people who don't experience heart pain in the "classical" way described.

i think it's great that you want to change your lifestyle/eating habits, and what i can recommend is:

-as far as oils - olive oils are better than corn oils
-avoid corn syrup - look at the labels of food, corn syrup is EVERYWHERE (it's a cheap sweetener, with no nutrional value other than calories)- even where you wouldn't expect it (what business does corn syrup have in chocolate? - you'll never find corn syrup in Swiss or German chocolate!)
-anything with UNsaturated fats, omega 3 and omega 6 fats is good -look for SMART BALANCE BUTTERy spread in your supermarket which has been proven to lower bad fats and cholesterol.
-saturated fats and trans fats are not good
-in general "small" amounts of cholesterol or fats are not bad in themselves, cholesterol is a vital part of the body/nervous system, and if you don't eat any, your body will build it itself to survive, the problem is usually that people eat too much of these fats and cholesterol, and then they deposit everywhere.
-lean pork is usually not a problem, cut away all the fat from meats
-fish has omega fats and unsaturated fats
-avoid fried foods
-if you cook vegetables buy them fresh or frozen, don't use the canned veggies, they 've already lost most of their vitamins.
-excercise!

... keep the appointment with your doctor and ask him/her for additional advice.
you can also always go to the ER if you need to - remember better safe than sorry is true!

Answer 2

I'm a paramedic and a student PA-C... as well as a combat medic in the army... take it from me, and any physician or healthcare professional would agree... do not take chest pain lightly. When was the last time you had your cholesterol checked? Your blood pressure taken? Diet plays a significant role in coronary artery disease as well as family history, and smoking! Smoking obstructs the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the alveoli - that's where the exchange takes place, if your heart's tissue isn't oxygenated then tissue is dying... ultimately resulting in a heart attack. The clogging of arteries also reduces oxygenation, resulting in tissue death, again resulting in myocardial infarction. It is a broad question you ask, but it is good that you are seeing a physician. An EKG is do here, considering your age, your diet, and any family history... as well as some bloodwork. I would begin eating low cholesterol foods, as well as cooking without canola oil or such, substitute it with Pam. Eat lean meats such as grilled skinless chicken, substitute snacks with fruits and vegetables, and stay away from trans fats!
I hope this helped, and good luck. Congratulations on your grandson.

Answer 3

I would have to agree with Derek, he gave you some sound advice but, I would like to add. Go see your doctor right now, get an EKG and than a cholesterol check.
You stomach can give you a false reading for chest pain, it could be and I'd bet it's probably indigestion but, get it checked.

What's your problem with eating right. Get on a diet and start eating the right way and you won't have to consult us.

Answer 4

As in the army, you should desist whatever you are doing if you feel chest pain in the heart area. Consult your doctor- it might just be a muslce which is pinched, however, one can never be sure.

Needle like pain in the heart, is definately indicative of a problem, but other kind of pain might be psychosomatic, that is, caused by you worrying too much.

Answer 5

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RE:
i often have chest pain around my heart area,?
every time i eat fatty foods my chest hurts, i used to eat a lot of fatty foodsand fried foods, i also smoke. when i exercise and eat fatty foods, it don't hurt or when i'm working, which is physical work, can any one give me some insight on this? is it a heart problem or anything related...

Answer 6

It's really important that if you do have chest pain, that you get to a hospital right away. It could be something as simple as indigestion, or something as serious as a heart attack. Better safe than sorry. Chest pain is not something to take lightly.

Answer 7

It sounds like it could be your gallbladder since fatty foods is what triggered the discomfort. You mentioned that you smoke and this is something you need to ask your doctor for help with quitting when you see him/her on Monday. For now concentrate on smoking less and have the doctor set up a dietician counseling session for you also to help answer all your diet questions regarding a healthier diet and which oils to use etc. Good Luck.

Answer 8

see and consult a doctor quick. good health...until then. and thereafter too.
ps. hospital emergency dept. is for that purpose.