Consistent Chest Pain on Left Side. ECG normal. Should I be worried?

Question

I'm 31 and a smoker. I've had a dull pain on the left side of my chest for the last 3 days. I got an ECG done, which came out as normal, and the doctor told me that it would probably be just a muscular pain. Not satisfied, a few hours later I went to another hospital. ECG again was fine. This doctor also assured me that it's not a cardiac problem. My arm doesn't hurt, I don't feel breathless, and I don't feel exhaustion. However, The pain is still there, and I'm still worried. Can anyone suggest what further course of action I can take?

Answer 1

Have you had your gallbladder checked?

Answer 2

Let's review - you have a dull, continuous pain at the left chest for three days. You did not report that anything made it better or worse. You do not have breathlessness, fatigue, or radiating pain. I suspect you also do not have diaphoresis (profuse sweating), or nausea/vomiting or you would have said so. Two separate EKG's have been performed and both failed to demonstrate a pattern consistent with ischemia or injury (the stuff that causes heart pain). If you went to a hospital, they certainly also drew blood and your enzymes were negative for cardiac injury too, or you would have been admitted.

Cardiac chest pain usually is prompted with increased activity or emotional upset (fight with the wife, etc) and is improved with rest. The exception is a very serious full out heart attack which, if it were that, would have showed up on the EKG and/or enzymes, especially with over a period of time.

Risk factors for heart disease are advanced age, smoking, high blood pressure, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol - along with a positive family history of heart attacks at a young age.

It sounds as though you have been evaluated for cardiac chest pain - and the evaluation was negative - twice, from two independent sources. There are very few absolutes in this world, but this one sounds pretty certain...its not your heart.

You are concerned because you don't understand what else could cause pain like that. Secondly, I would bet that you are anxious about the idea of smoking...my sins have now come to reap my just consequences. I agree, do stop smoking. But for goodness sake, stop obsessing about your dull ache. If it doesn't work itself out after a couple weeks, return for further evaluation. I otherwise would take no further action.

Good luck.

Answer 3

DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE TOO YOUNG FOR HEART PROBLEMS.
I had to have bypass surgery at 33. My ECG's also showed normal. As a matter of fact all the test that was done showed normal. So I went to a cardiologist and he did a Heart Cath and then found blockage. So my advice to you is call a cardiologist. Do not wait around for something else to happen{any of the other signs of heart problems} before you find out for sure. expecialy if you have any of the risks of heart disease.

Answer 4

First, quit smoking. You're only asking for trouble. I'm serious! Most musculo-skeletal pain increases upon inhalation. You should also have a chest xray to rule out any problems with your lungs. Just because an EKG is normal you could still have heart problems. Endocarditis, pericariditis, even valve problems can cause pain. You might want to get an ECHO. Also you could have fluid in your pleural cavity. This should show up on the xray. Chest xray, ECHO, maybe even a stress test.

Answer 5

I have that, and I know it's a result of smoking,or at least smoking makes it worse.
Also I have had a normal ECG a couple of months ago.
I've had this for about 15 years, but it goes away before I get too worried. I know stopping smoking would help, but have not yet made a long term successful attempt
I expect everyone will suggest you stop smoking, and so do I.
Easier said than done.

Answer 6

generally speaking cardiac pain doesn't isolate itself to the left side of the chest, it feels more like an elephant is sitting on your chest, dead center, now your left neck and/or arm can ache too.
As for the pain that you have, it is likely muscular in that region, there isn't much else that can hurt. Suggest you take Advil, or Aleve for a few days and see if that doesn't sort things out for you.

Answer 7

It's highly unlikely that you have a blockage in one of your coronary arteries at the age of 31. A normal ECG is another good sign. However, something to look at is your family history. It is one of the most significant risk factors associated with heart disease. The fact that you are a smoker is of course another significant risk factor. Are you diabetic? Overweight? Take this as a sign to quit smoking and start taking better care of yourself. The human body, including your heart, has remarkable recoperative abilities. Take good care of your body and it will quite likely take good care of your health.

Answer 8

I bet it's just a lung infection. try to get a good decongestant. if it does't clear up in a week seek a doctor. then you probably will need antibiotics.

Answer 9

If this is still concerning you, you should see a cardiologist and have a stress test, this would tell if anything is wrong with your heart.

Answer 10

consult another physician.

If you have doubts see someone else.