Heart attack or chest pains?

Question

I get pains just to the left centre of my chest but it goes after a few minutes. I may not get another one for a few weeks and it has been happening over the last 3 months. I put it down to indegestion but am now getting worried as it is still happening. Is this warning signs? I don't get pains anywhere else while experiencing this.

Re Thomas. I am 38, male and white British. My father had history of Angina. I have not taken anything for pain as it goes on it's own after 10 mins or so. It is a dull pain and I do not get sweaty or feel ill with it. I have no other symptoms other than this. I rarely drink but I do smoke. I do not take any other type of drug.It does not appear when I exercise it seems to be random.
Thanks for your reply
grant e

Answer 1

I AM NOT A DOCTOR, but I did have, had the same systems a year ago. I thought I was having chest pains and panicked. Went to the ER, after my trying to explain the pain, (different country) and after an eternity found it was not my chest, but my lungs, I had an ammonia, (walking) After a couple of days looking back since I am an older person, and if anyone has that little tickle (cough) in their throat check it out. Also dander from pets. Sorry pet lovers I have birds, dogs, cats, the list goes on because I live in the country..

I also felt something different for at least a couple of months, but did not think anything of it, just a tickle in my throat

Honestly I thought it was chest pains, but turned out to be my lungs. Because I described where the pain was the doc's where checking out the heart, took like eons for them to know it was the lungs. Once x-rays and everything came back they started treatment, am grateful to be alive now.

Answer 2

Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. If the blood flow is blocked, the heart starves for oxygen and heart cells die. Occasionally, sudden overwhelming stress can trigger a heart attack. Chest pain is a major symptom of heart attack. However, some people may have little or no chest pain, especially the elderly and those with diabetes. This is called a silent heart attack. The pain may be felt in only one part of the body or move from your chest to your arms, shoulder, neck, teeth, jaw, belly area, or back. The pain can be severe or mild. It can feel like: Squeezing or heavy pressure A tight band around the chest Something heavy sitting on your chest Bad indigestion Pain usually lasts longer than 20 minutes. Rest and a medicine called nitroglycerine do not completely relieve the pain of a heart attack. Other symptoms of a heart attack include: Shortness of breath Nausea or vomiting Anxiety Cough Fainting Lightheadedness - dizziness Palpitations (feeling like your heart is beating too fast) Sweating, which may be extreme So yes it could be stress. But there is a possibility that it could be something more serious. You should have her get checked out.

Answer 3

I need more information. What is your age, sex, and race? Is the pain sharp or dull? Does it migrate to your arms, back, neck, etc? Does the pain come after exercise or exertion? Do you have a positive family hx. of heart disease? What medicines/alcohol/recreational drugs do you take? What seems to make the pain go away? When you have pain, can you make it worse or re-create it by pushing on the spot that hurts? Do you get sweaty, nauseated, or faint when you have the pain? Is the pain worse with a deep inspiration? Give me this information plus anything else you can think of and I can give you an educated opinion, but the only way to know for sure is to see a Dr. when you have the pain. Tom

Answer 4

no harm to get it checked out to put your mind at rest and get more comfortable by curing it, especially given your family history. It doesn't sound like angina or mild heart attacks but it still could be warning pains. With angina you feel a tightness in your neck and jaw as well as pain up your left arm and chest tightness. Heart attack pain is really like a heavy load being thrown on top of you, a crushing pain that makes breathing difficult. get it checked out in case. good luck.

Answer 5

I think you know the answer to this already. I would get it checked now, it may be ischemia caused by a lack of oxygen to the heart. It may be a clot. It may be anxiety. It may be a chest infection. It may be indigestion. It may be angina. It may be alot of things but if you delay in finding out it could be fatal. Dont want to frighten you but..... Of course all these conditions mentioned can be treated with cholesterol reducing drugs, blood pressure reducing drugs and clot busting drugs. If it is a chest infection, some anti biotics. So go and see your doctor as its the only way you will get peace of mind.

Answer 6

Best that you get it checked out by your Dr Grant. I ignored my chest pain for weeks, and ended up having a heart attack. I have angina now. Your symptoms dont sound like mine. But you would be better to have it checked out. Put your mind at rest. Good luck. Maggie

Answer 7

Unstable angina. Please take ECG and consult a cardiologist.
Please undergo a complete medical check and further treatment to avoid a heart attack. Medical examination may reveal whether you have already suffered a heart attack or not. The doctor may prescribe a small dosage of aspirin daily in order to avoid heart attack. Please also check your blood pressure and blood sugar.
Please see the webpages for more details on Angina.

Answer 8

hello grant,
Don't do exert yourself if you are having chest pains people get indigestion and chest pains confused. See your doctor without delay. Insist that your doctor check you out. Mention to him what you are saying here. Only the doctor can rule heart attack but its up to you to get to the doctor.

Answer 9

Indigestion. Almost certainly. But mild angina is a possiblility so see your doctor sometime in the next 10 years just in case.

Answer 10

Well, gee.....have you TRIED antacids to see if that helps? Have you thought about going to the doctor? NEVER ignore chest pains of any kind. Make an appointment.