Why Am I Having Chest Pains? What's Causing Them?

Question

I'm 18 years old, and have been having chest pains for the past three years. It's not in one particular place, I have it mostly on the left side, and the middle, and sometimes radiates to the right side. Everytime I go to the doctor they say everythings fine which includes: the heart, lungs, breathing, etc. I always have trouble breathing when the chest pain occurs. The pain has gradually gotten worse, both in the amount of occurences, and the intensity on a scale of 1 to 10 ten being the most severe I would rate the pain as an 8 or 9. When I was around 13 or 14 years old a speacialst had sent me to a pediatric cardiologist to see if I could take some medicine. While there I had an EKG done, and the results said that one side of the heart is slower than the other and I think that's my right side, and that a normal heartbeat beats in the following order chamber 1, 2, 3, and 4. Finally, in August of 2006 when I was 17 years old I had experienced all the signs of a heart attack.

Answer 1

Well it sounds like you've answered your own question...now find a dr. that will do something about it. Not all dr.s are equal...find a good dr. who really cares.

Answer 2

You know the saying that a little bit of knowledge can be a very bad thing. Most kids don't even go to a cardiologist, and to have gone to a pediatric cardiologist, which is a specialty amongst specialties, my thinking is that you've gotten some pretty decent care in your young lifetime.

Despite this though your understanding of the medicine is pretty limited. Your statement of "one side of the heart is slower than the other..." sounds like you're referring to a bundle branch block; but in the manner that you're describing it, its hard to say.

And your statement of when you were 17 that you had "...ALL the signs of a heart attack..." Are you saying then that you had permanent EKG changes, documented elevation of serial cardiac enzymes, along with correlated hypokinetic or akinetic changes on cardiac echo?

Or, is your understanding of the signs of a heart attack different from mine? You really need to go back to your doctor, and print out a copy of this thread. That way, your doctor will know whats on your mind, pinpoint your concerns and address them.

Good luck.

Ralph

Answer 3

You have got your basic knowledge of cardiology a bit muddled. If you are having a heart attack the pain is acute and always begins in the central chest, it radiates out to the arms and up to the neck. Your breathing is rapid and shallow, your pulse is rapid and weak and you have heavy perspiration and pale cold clammy skin with blueness around your mouth, as it progresses you become a very grayish colour in the face and collapse. and need a paramedic stat. You say you experienced all the signs of a heart attack and that would mean you went to hospital and would have been diagnosed by a cardiologist, so you have been treated, what still ails you?

Answer 4

I'm wondering if they did blood work? Sometimes Doctors ignore heart problems in youth because of just that your young. If you feel that there is a problem that they didn't catch Keep going tell them your having more and more episodes don't let them tell you your fine if you don't feel fine. Get a second, third or Forth opinion if you have to. Now having said that there are problems that are seem like a heart attack that isn't. But you know your body and your the only one who can say how your feeling.

Answer 5

From your user name, I wonder if you are a clarinet player, and if so, does that ever precipitate the pain?

If it isn't due to some minor issue, such as excess gas, which can cause pain and some difficulty breathing if there is a large volume of it (presumably some doctor would've tapped on your stomach during one of these episodes, heard a bongo-drum sound, and that would reveal it), then I'd suggest finding a specialist familiar with pulmonary circulation issues - you might need some more detailed tests around that area.

Answer 6

You had the signs of a heart attack and have been having heart problems over the past 5 years yet doctors tell you nothing is wrong ? OK - its time to complain as loudly as possible to them - your health is on the line. There are specialists available who will tell you what the problem is but you need to try as doctors will push you out of the way when they don't know the answers.

Answer 7

statisicaly your not in a high risk group for heart attack, and chest pains are a common cause of people going to the ER in many age groups and seldom of cardiac orgin. Normally such pains are past off as gas or maybe anxiety. If you have had a doctor diagnosis a cardiac dsyfunction, I would ask you ...what did he say?.....surely a rare finding to have mechanical dissassociation from cardiac circulation.

THe heart produces electrity that travels dominatly from top to bottom causing contraction of the heart. IF you had damaged heart walls the its contractility would be effected , but not its timiing of chambers being fired.

Answer 8

I know what your talking about, it sounds like a Cardiopulmonary
Disease, or Bronchitis or a severe case of Asthma, go to the Doctor and have them do a check for those, you might also have a Heart Murmur that is effecting your heart beat.

I hope this helps, try consulting a Doctor for the signs of Bronchitis and Asthma and heart Murmur.

I must admit though I am not entirely sure as to which it is, however, I positive that you have one of them.....I hope i was of some help.

Arkuis.

Answer 9

I have never heard of different speeds on sides of the heart and/if that would cause your problem. Have you ever gone to a mental therapist? No it does not imply that the pain is not real. I believe you do feel pain. That sounds like you are experiencing either anxiety or panic attacks. And since it has been happening for so long, the attacks may have become a disorder. You should look into it.

Answer 10

Unfortunately, in this day and age, a person has to be proactive regarding their health care to the point of being an @sshole with your doctor. Either yourself or your parents need to pound your doctor so he either finds a diagnosis or refers you to a specialist.

Answer 11

I have severe serious heart trouble. I suggest you go to a cardiologist asap. If it isn't beating right there is medication or a pacemaker if necessary. They are for irregular heartbeats, even babies have them and I do too. Please don't put this off, this is too important to ignore and a vital part of your body..As you are getting older, it maybe possibly getting worse.......xx