Why Am I Having Chest Pains? What's Causing Them?I'm 18 years old, and have been having chest pains for the

Question

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 my dad had said that I was having one, it didn't seem like it. Help.

Answer 1

You need to see a good Cardiologist. Go to one who will give you a thorough exam. Both Physical, and with the amount of specialized testing available these days, there is no excuse for not running the full battery of necessary tests to find out what is going on. They can do High speed cardiac CT scans now, and many other tests that should be able to determine what your problem is. Make sure you get the records from the Pediatric Cardiologist and take them with you. DO NOT GIVE UP, BE PERSISTANT, don't let the Dr.s pooh pooh you off as though there is nothing wrong. If you are having the symptoms you are at the age of 18, then there is something wrong, and it needs to be properly diagnosed.

I wish you lived in Missoula, MT. They have the best Cardiologists, and Cardiac Surgeons in the Country there, at St. Patrick Hospital. I would recommend Dr. Stan Wilson. They have Internationally known Dr.'s there all the time, also. I worked on that cardiac unit for 14 years, and if I ever had heart problems, and needed surgery, I would fly home and do it there.

You can also try going to a University Hospital that specializes in Cardiology. I would reccommend doing some research on the web about your symptoms also, and what the Pediatric Cardiologist came up with, and see what you can find. The more information you are armed with when you go, the better chance you have. Keep a log of your symptoms, also.

I really hope you get a Dr. that will LISTEN to you, that seems to be a big problem these days. At least down here in the south east, many Dr.s have forgotten that some of us really do know what we are talking about, and know our bodies well enough, to know when something is wrong.

Best of luck to you, and don't give up. Email me, and I will try to help you with the research if you need it. I would like to know what's going on myself. You have an interesting problem, and I am surprised that the Dr.s are giving up so easily. If I were a Dr., I would want to get to the bottom of it, because that would be my freaking job, for 1, and because I care about people for 2, and you are too young to suffer like this, without knowing why!

Answer 2

I believe you should have a nuclear stress test to make sure that nothing is wrong with your heart. If it is determined that your pain isn't caused from your heart, then you may be having pains from acid reflux, strain of the muscles in your chest, or anxiety.

Try to relax and not focus so much on your heart and that may lessen the pain somewhat.

I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 3

It depends, whether the doctor, you consulted was a GP, or a Hospital house doctor.......... even then you might not be talking to the right person!

I suffered a series of heart attacks about 18 months ago. My GP did not have either the expertise, or equipment to ascertain this, so he sent me to hospital. The Medical evaluation doctor, took the required cardiographs and sent me home. Six months later, I suffered a second series of heart attacks. This time I was admitted through A&E, who immediately correctly diagnosed the problem and, when they checked my previous cardiographs, could see that I'd suffered the previous attacks.

The problem you are describing is, hopefully, just Angina. However, you need to INSIST on a proper Hospital evaluation.

Answer 4

I also got that, after 2 chest pains, I got chest tumor >_< But It's not malignant tumor, only benign, i will not die, I do not got any heart problems nor breathing, cause i have an asthma since i'm young,
Don't worry!! Let's just pray for god's help.

Answer 5

You definitely need to be followed by a cardiologist if you have diagnosed abnormalities of your heart. BUT, sounds like you may also be having some anxiety, which is going along with your chest pain, and will intensify the pain, and make you short of breath, and becomes a vicious cycle. When all this happens, SLOW down your breathing....in through your nose, out through your mouth (smell the roses, blow out the candles)....see if that helps calm you down a little and helps the pain go away.....but you definitely need to be followed by a cardiologist.

Answer 6

WOW. I TOO suffered from this AND horrible headaches. I also had BACK damage that was disimssed as an "oh well",

YOU NEED AN MRI of YOUR SPINE to see if there is ANY compression on YOUR Vagus nerve. Compression on THIS MAIN nerve way causes the chest pain YOU mention, as would a small cyst or tumor ON or around THAT nerve.
I KNOW you feel like no one cares or believes you, BUT I KNOW you are suffering and KNOW you need a back study. PLEASE EMAIL me and tell me more, [e-mail]

Answer 7

Take care of your diet. It should not increase your cholesterol levels. You should not worry too much to increase your blood pressure. You are not the only person to have such problems. There are people who have worse problems than that of yours. So it does not help to feel bad. Doctors will prescribe medicines which are very good these days which you should take regularly. I am a heart patient too and I am living a healthy life. There is nothing to worry about.

Answer 8

You MUST get a referral to a good cardiologist, and insist on a full explanation of what is happening to you. I expect that you should have an EKG done while working on a treadmill, in order to decide what further tests are necessary.

Answer 9

Try not to add too much pressure on your heart, if you're active, take repetetive breaks.Also, consult a specialist.

Answer 10

Aside from seeking an openminded specialist check for your symptoms at online medical sites such as WebMD. Look at several for best info.