Are these heart / cardiac warning symptoms?

[Worriedkat]

Sharpish mild twinge in left chest once every few days, lasts about 30 seconds. Left side of neck also aches at the same time. Happens when at rest or when asleep, not on exertion.

Have googled (bad I know) and symptoms don't seem 'red flag'. Have gp appointment on 21st. Am overweight (size 18) but don't drink or smoke, age 39.

Anyone know?

[Worriedkat]

Should add, no diabetes and blood pressure is normal.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

It's probably muscular but definitely good idea to get checked out. I'd try for a cancellation sooner

[LEMmingaround]

indegestion?

[Worriedkat]

Not indigestion, though I have that also and am on omeprazole. It's not a burning, more of a pulled muscle type sensation. Def left chest not centre.

Wondering whether to rush down OOH tomorrow or wait til my day off (Wednesday)

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

It COULD be nothing, or it could be muscular or indigestion. I find the fact that your neck aches at the same time slightly more worrying, although of course there could be a perfectly rational explanation for that too. Any family history of cardiac trouble?

[Worriedkat]

No family history, except my grandmother who smoked like a trooper as they used to say. I'm not under any stress, no idea what my cholesterol is like probably terrible

I can't help googling which of course makes it worse as the only stories will be of worst case scenarios, given that people who have the all clear won't necessarily post their story.

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

Well, it's most likely just muscular, and if you don't have any unexplained deaths in the family or fh of heart disease, then just get checked out by GP but try not to worry too much

[BetterLatteThanNever]

Does the pain change when you take a deep breath? Does it change when you lift your arms straight in front of you? Is it different depending on your position i.e. laid flat or standing?

If yes to those, then based on the other info you've posted, you may be looking at either something muscular, reflux-y, or possibly an infection. However, if you are worried please get checked over sooner - it never hurts to be sure, and pain is telling you something, so good to find out what. Hope you feel better soon

[HowsTheSerenity]

Women present differently to men when it comes to cardiac issues. A man might typically present with the classic heavy chest pain radiating to the arm, neck and back. A women might have a stabbing pain in her upper abdomen.
The pains seem more muscular skeletal in nature but it doesn't hurt to have it checked out. You can get random pains for no real obvious reason too.
Disclaimer - I am a paramedic and all info is advice only. See your GP.

[Worriedkat]

Betterlattethannever no to all of those :(

It is more of a twingey pain, it takes a second or two to come on, lasts maybe ten seconds then gradually goes off.

Overweight is really my only risk factor.

Do I see gp urgently or not?

[Worriedkat]

Oops sorry Betterlattethannever for crossing you out

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

How painful is it? Painful enough that you don't want to talk while it's going on? If so then yes you should see a GP ASAP. If the twinge is mild enough to carry on with things, then Monday should be fine.

[BetterLatteThanNever]

I would hate to feel you were relying on partial advice from me on a forum. If it were me, I would ring 111 (if that's operating in your area). They will take you through a comprehensive set of diagnosis questions. Based on your answers, they will then direct you to the right sort of help, which could include seeing an out of hours GP, your own GP, or getting checked out at a hospital. Take care of yourself, and talk it through confidentially with the experts.

(If 111 doesn't cover your area, your GP practice should have a recorded message directing you to the way to contact their out of hours - sorry if I'm stating the bleedin obvious!)

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

Good advice!

[Worriedkat]

Today it happened while my friend was telling me something, it was mild enough that she didn't notice it was happening. I did sit very still willing it to go off, which it did.

I don't think I'll phone OOH tonight in case the admin person's decision tree tells me to call an ambulance or similar. Not for something that happened once this afternoon and before that probably last weekend ish. I'll see how I get on.

I did run upstairs earlier and am pretty sure exertion does not bring it on.

Oh dear I'm talking myself out of it now! Don't worry I'm not relying on the forum, just getting a general idea of whether it's deemed serious / red flags abound.

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

I think Monday's fine- unless you get any other symptoms like breathlessness/ dizziness. Good luck!

[Worriedkat]

No chest pain today apart from a minor twinge this morning. Shoulder and upper arm aching though but I suspect that's a mixture of laying funny and paranoia. Left leg also aches. Am cutting back on eating too, perhaps this is the kick I need to get back into shape.

[Worriedkat]

Gah, it just happened again. Like a muscle spasm, only lasts a few seconds. There I was hoping it had gone away.

I have a full on week with work, more so than usual. Not sure when I can get to gp. Is there a chance they'll send me straight up the hospital for tests?

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

Well, like I say, it's probably just muscular, but I think you should get it checked out tomorrow, just to make sure. Does it seem to come from inside your chest, or more in your boob, iyswim? I get painful twinges in chest/boob which are nerve irritation

[Worriedkat]

Behind left boob I guess, front of chest not back. About halfway between middle of chest and side. I don't know if heart is in the front of the chest or not?

It's not quite a crampy pain, more spasm / twinge.

Been reading about heart muscle spasms, the serious ones seem to last 5-30 mins each attack. I don't think I'm there yet.

[diddlediddledumpling]

I've got no advice, but what you're describing sounds very similar to symptoms I've had in the past and sometimes still get. The chest pains were diagnosed as muscular, after tests in cardiology (outpatients).
The arm and leg pains were thought to be mild panic attacks. All of my pains go away when I'm not stressed/when I cut out caffeine/take regular exercise.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Given that it COULD be cardiac pain, however unlikely, you need to get checked out ASAP

Don't risk heart damage

[Worriedkat]

Would a heart problem appear within 3 years of pregnancy? My heart must've been strong to cope with DS3 and the c section. Or perhaps it's irrelevant...

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

It is irrelevant.

Chest pain needs investigating ASAP.

Sorry.

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

Well, all my twingey chest pains were immediately dismissed as nerve or muscular pain by my GP, and he was right. You should still check though.