Pains in chest?

Question

Hi,
I have had a kind of dull ache in the region of my heart for a couple of months now, nothing outrageous, just feels like someone is applying pressure with a thumb (it's that localised) to my chest. I don't really want to go to the doctors and have that on my medical record, but I am a little concerned! I also have a little numbness in my fingers when I grab things, could this be physcosematic, or indacative of a problem, also if it is a problem, does it sound like something that can be treated, or will I just have to live with it until it gets worse? Iam 46 overweight by about 4 stone, and I smoke (recipie for disaster I know), any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Many people with chest pain fear a heart attack. However, there are many possible causes of chest pain. Some causes are mildly inconvenient, while other causes are serious, even life-threatening. Any organ or tissue in your chest can be the source of pain, including your heart, lungs, esophagus, muscles, ribs, tendons, or nerves.

Angina is a type of heart-related chest pain. This pain occurs because your heart is not getting enough blood and oxygen. Angina pain can be similar to the pain of a heart attack.

Angina is called stable angina when your chest pain begins at a predictable level of activity. (For example, when you walk up a steep hill.) However, if your chest pain happens unexpectedly after light activity or occurs at rest, this is called unstable angina. This is a more dangerous form of angina and you need to be seen in an emergency room right away.
Back to TopCommon Causes
Other causes of chest pain include:

Asthma, which is generally accompanied by shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough.
Pneumonia, a blood clot to the lung (pulmonary embolism), the collapse of a small area of a lung (pneumothorax), or inflammation of the lining around the lung (pleurisy). In these cases, the chest pain often worsens when you take a deep breath or cough and usually feels sharp.
Strain or inflammation of the muscles and tendons between the ribs.
Anxiety and rapid breathing.
Chest pain can also be related to problems with your digestive system. These include stomach ulcer, gallbladder disease, gallstones, indigestion, heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux (when acid from your stomach backs up into your esophagus).

Ulcer pain burns if your stomach is empty and feels better with food. Gallbladder pain often gets worse after a meal, especially a fatty meal.

In children, most chest pain is not caused by the heart.
Back to TopHome Care
If injury, over-exertion, or coughing have caused muscle strain, your chest wall is often tender or painful when you press a finger at the location of the pain. This can often be treated at home. Try acetaminophen or ibuprofen, ice, heat, and rest.

If you know you have asthma or angina, follow the instructions of your doctor and take your medications regularly to avoid flare-ups.
Back to TopCall Your Health Care Provider if
Call 911 if:

You have sudden crushing, squeezing, tightening, or pressure in your chest.
Pain radiates to your jaw, left arm, or between your shoulder blades.
You have nausea, dizziness, sweating, a racing heart, or shortness of breath.
You know you have angina and your chest discomfort is suddenly more intense, brought on by lighter activity, or lasts longer than usual.
Your angina symptoms occur at rest.
You have sudden sharp chest pain with shortness of breath, especially after a long trip, a stretch of bedrest (for example, following an operation), or other lack of movement that can lead to a blood clot in your leg.
Know that your risk of heart attack is greater if you have a family history of heart disease, you smoke, use cocaine, are overweight, or you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

Call your doctor if:

You have a fever or a cough that produces yellow-green phlegm.
Chest wall pain persists for longer than 3 to 5 days.
Back to TopWhat to Expect at Your Health Care Provider's Office
Emergency measures will be taken, if necessary. Hospitalization will be required in difficult or serious cases or when the cause of the pain is unclear.

The doctor will perform a physical examination and monitor your vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure). The physical examination will focus on the chest wall, lungs, and heart. Your doctor may ask questions like the following:

Is the pain between the shoulder blades? Under the breastbone? Does the pain change location? Is it on one side only?
How would you describe the pain? (Severe, tearing or ripping, sharp, stabbing, burning, squeezing, constricting, tight, pressure-like, crushing, aching, dull, heavy)
Does it come on suddenly? Does the pain occur at the same time each day?
Is the pain getting worse? How long does the pain last?
Does the pain go from your chest into your shoulder, arm, neck, jaw, or back?
Is the pain worse when you are breathing deeply, coughing, eating, bending?
When you are exercising? Is the pain better after you rest? Is it completely relieved or just less pain?
Is the pain better after you take nitroglycerin medication? After you drink milk or take antacids? After belching?
What other symptoms are also present?
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Blood tests (such as LDH, LDH isoenzymes, CPK, CPK isoenzymes, Troponin, CBC, and blood differential)
Cardiac catheterization
ECG
Exercise ECG
Lung scan
X-rays of the chest
More complex tests may be required depending on the difficulty of diagnosis or the suspected cause of the chest pain.
Back to TopPrevention
Make healthy lifestyle choices to prevent chest pain from heart disease:

Achieve and maintain normal weight.
Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Avoid cigarette smoking and second-hand smoke.
Eat a diet low in saturated and hydrogenated fats and cholesterol, and high in starches, fiber, fruits, and vegetables.
Get at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on most days of the week.
Reduce stress.
kisses

Answer 2

Wow. It seems like your describing something similar to what I experienced as a kid and occasionally as an adult. I get those achy, sharp pain in my chest / rib area. Often the pain is mild but sometimes it's so bad I can barley take a breath. It also feels like it starts at the bottom of my rib cage and then travels up my side as it slowly goes away. I was told by my doctor it was "growing" pains. Then when I was older, I brought it up again and he said it could be a muscle spam. It's been months since I've had one. With me, the pain only last a few seconds and at the most a minute or two. They also only seem to happen once or twice in a day when i do have them. I would suggest that if they occur more frequently, multiple times in a day I'd see someone about it. It could be nothing or it could be something (kind of obvious answer).

Answer 3

You should go to a doctor any pain in the chest should be checked .The numbness could be a number of things related to the pain or perhaps blood circulating problems as well as carpo tunnel syndrome .I would suggest to see your doctor and not hold off.
You are also a smoker as you say it could perhaps also have to do with your Lungs including the numbness in your fingers .

Answer 4

have you been ill with a chest infection? I have just been sent for xrays because of similar pains. mine are more widespread though so Dr thinks i may have a touch of pleurisy.

I suggest you go to the Dr asap. I know how you feel, I don't go unless I'm pushed by my family, but you can't mess about if you suspect anything related to the heart.

Answer 5

Hello? You don't want that on your medical records? What?????

You get yourself into a doctor fast, those are signs of possible heart attack. Being overweight you are killing yourself too.

See your doctor and begin to lose weight, unless you want to go to an early grave.

Answer 6

no. you have a problem. you need to go to the doctor. whos gonna care about your medical record when your dead from a heart attack or stroke (which this sounds like). you need to get blood tests and a heart scan.

Answer 7

whether or not you want it on your record.. my suggestion would be to see your dr. could be nothing, could be something. only tests will show for sure..

Answer 8

You could have back problems, did you ever consider that. Get it checked out.

Answer 9

Stop smoking, lose weight & eat less animal fat.