What could be causing my chest pain & what should I do?

Question

Since flying a week ago I have been having chest pain. What do you think is causing it as it started halfway through the flight, and what should I do about it? (it starts in the chest and radiates to my back & I feel a shorness of breath)

Answer 1

I had that too, and you know what i found out that i had a stupid illness called GERD. A lot of people mistake it as having heart problems when its really a stomach problem you should look up the symptoms to see if they apply to you. I was surprised when i found out that the whole time they thought it was my heart it was my stomach. symptoms include, intense pain in chest, rapid pulse, excessive sweating, respiratory illness. Hope all is well for you make sure to see a doctor!

Answer 2

You could be suffering from DVT (deep vein thrombosis) which causes clots in your legs. The clot can break down and work its way up to your lung causing a clot on your lung. Symptoms usually are chest pain, and shortness of breath. I only know as I had the same symptoms yesterday and they did a blood test at the hospital to check for a clot but it was negative. Turned out to be a chest infection. They did ask me had I recently flown anywhere. Also, check the back of your legs for any unusual swelling and to see if it hot to the touch. If it is, go to A&E straightaway and tell them your symptoms and that you have recently flown. Hope everything turns out ok.

Answer 3

worse case scenario is a pulmonary embilism - if a long haul flight may be a clot from the deep veins travelling to the lung - a blood test called a D-Dimer can show a positive result for this.

also gallstones or an abdominal aortic aneurysm (weakness of the wall of the body's main artery) can cause the radiation of pain.

PLAN: see a doctor and be checked out thoroughly

Answer 4

Was it a long haul flight? DVT could be the cause. Deep Vein Thrombosis can cause shortness of breath and pain. It is a very serious condition which needs urgent attention.

Answer 5

This sounds like Hifh Altitude Pressure Illness, but could easily be angina as well. You really need to consult a MD soon. Due to the pressure changes in the blood at higher altitude levels the heart's affinity for O2 changes, meaning you may be getting early signs of CAD.

Answer 6

I REALLY don't believe if you thought you had something serious you would be asking the internet a week on, rather than going straight down to the doctors! However, here's my 3 guesses.

1. you've had Deep Vein Thrombosis and a clot is stuck in your lung, you're VERY lucky to still be here and should get to the hospital ASAP.

2. panic attacks

3. indigestion

Answer 7

You are experiencing a minor heart condition but it could develop into a major attack. Check your BP. Are you overweight? Do you smoke? Do you eat red meat? Do you have a lot of sex? These could all be factors. A physician can only tell for sure. Maybe you should stop flying and take a boat.

Answer 8

I think the best advice is to go to a doctor. It does sound very much to me like a panic attack (sometimes you don't even know that you're frightened or nervous to have a panic attack), but you should never 'guess' on chest pain.

Go straight to a doctor, or call a proper medical helpline

Answer 9

See a doctor - it could be serious!
When flying your body goes through a mild pressure change, for most people it goes mostly un-noticed (ears popping etc). You could have a blood clot or D.V.T as it is know (Deep vein thrombosis).
It could also just be stress or anxiety.
Either way see your doctor and get it checked out.

Take care...

Answer 10

Sometimes I think that chest pain can be caused by stress or an impending heart attack. I don't mean to scare you or anything. Like some of the other advice given by the panel, please seek medical help.