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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be a bit concerned about chest pain?

19 replies

BigbreastsBiggerbeard · 09/06/2018 16:54

I've been having some chest pain on and off for a while. I put it down to indigestion or somesuch. However, I have sometimes woken in the night with it, many hours after eating. It's in the centre of my chest, and it feels like a pressure or tightness and it actually hurts.

What's causing me to question this now is that my cholesterol is high, has been for a while, and it seems like it may be genetic (according to the consultant, although no history of it as far as I know) and I'm aware that there is a link between high cholesterol and heart attacks.

Last night (and I don't want to make too much of this) there was a mild sensation of tingling down my left arm. I'm now considering that it may be the way I had been lying, although I really don't think so.

Clearly it wasn't a heart attack as I'm still here and no longer in pain but I'm just wondering if this is anything to be concerned about. I have a GP appointment next week, so obviously will mention this then.

OP posts:

Katescurios · 09/06/2018 16:56

It could just be a pulled muscle or it could be a hearty attack. You can have lots of small ones without even knowing it.

If the pain is concerning you then you should get it checked.

CrispbuttyNo1 · 09/06/2018 16:58

Your GP will probably send you for an ecg which can show if you have had a heart attack. It is possible to have them very mildly and not even realise. I’m sure you will be fine but it’s always best to get it checked.

madja · 09/06/2018 16:58

I would get this checked asap. There can be warning signs before a heart attack, and of course women's pain presents different to the classic (male) heart attack symptoms.
I say this because I ignored warning signs, and did have a heart attack at the the ripe old age of 40.

JennyOnAPlate · 09/06/2018 16:59

It absolutely could be a heart attack. Please do go and get checked.

BeyondThePage · 09/06/2018 17:00

Clearly it wasn't a heart attack as I'm still here and no longer in pain

Do not assume that! I had 3 mini heart attacks before the big one that made me take notice.

If you have heavy pressing pain in the middle of your chest, get it investigated. Seriously.

Haberpop · 09/06/2018 17:03

It might have been the way you were lying but at the same time not every heart problem is fatal so the very fact you are still here does NOT mean it isn't something you should take seriously. If those symptoms happen again before your GP appointment you should seek help straight away. In fact, in your shoes I would be calling the surgery on first thing Monday morning regardless of whether it happened again over the weekend.

Katescurios · 09/06/2018 17:09

Without wanting to scare you, my dad went in for a few hospital tests due to feeling run down. Was out on an ECG and he was having a heart attack without knowing it. Tests showed he had been having them for years and resulted in a quadruple bypass being needed that same day.

Chest pain is just one of those, don't ignore it type of symptoms.

It could very well be a muscle strain, positional, even acid reflux, but wouldn't you rather know for sure?

ChristmasFluff · 09/06/2018 17:11

I'm a physiotherapist and I would definitely send you back to the GP for further investigation, even if I found evidence of a possible musculoskeletal reason for your pain, because of what you have described. Please get this checked.

Aquamarine1029 · 09/06/2018 17:57

Don't make light of the fact you are still "here." You absolutely might have had a small heart attack. Chances are you haven't, but when your life and well-being are at stake, why risk it even for a day? Go the doctor, the emergency room if you need to.

Just one more thought, you might want to have your gallbladder checked. I had chest pain when mine was dying it's slow miserable death. I had it removed and I'm now 100%. Gallbladder issues can cause all kinds of pain in many areas of your body.

ElizabethS22 · 09/06/2018 18:07

I would say it could be gallstones. When I had them the attacks would be like you described and even some weakness in arms.

But like others have said it could be something more serious so worth getting checked out anyway.

ChestOfFields · 09/06/2018 18:08

I get them quite often, and it's angina I think.
Been to hospital for them about 5 times.

I actually got the bad pressure pain and tingling under my tongue and I had to sit on a bench in the park for 15 mins till the pain calmed down enough for me to go home!

I do sometimessage get woken up with the pain and I have the spray for under my tongue.

If I went to hospital every time I get the pain it would be about 3 times a month!

It does worry me but I get the distinct impression I'm wasting my doctors and hospital staffs time!

Storm4star · 09/06/2018 18:23

This will sound strange but try drinking a large glass of cold water when you get it. I too suffered with this kind of pain and unfortunately I can’t remember what the name of it was but it’s something to do with the stomach/reflux type thing. But the pain used to be so bad I genuinely was worried about a heart attack. I’d feel like I was going to faint. But the cold water does something that eases it. So now that’s what I do when I feel it coming on and it works every time.

timeistight · 09/06/2018 18:28

Yes to getting it checked, but don't expect the NHS to take you seriously. I have similar, very scary symptoms, classic for angina. It's taken six years to get a referral and now I have been discharged after one inconclusive appointment,

Sirzy · 09/06/2018 18:31

My uncle had “indigestion” for two weeks. Last week it got worse while at work - they called an ambulance within half an hour he was having a stent fitted and he was told it was a miracle he survived.

Don’t mess around with chest pain!

EdWinchester · 09/06/2018 18:36

Yes, get it checked out.

My friend (46) has had 2 heart attacks and had very 'bound to be something else' symptoms.

gamerchick · 09/06/2018 18:39

It's far more likely to be reflux. Been there and have the long term meds because I ignored it. You'll need the ECG and whatnot to rule out heart trouble of course but don't ignore it like I did.

Get thee to the gp.

Lulusmother · 09/06/2018 18:40

Ring the help line number ...I'd be concerned about the tingling sensation. You won't be wasting their time, us women put up with stuff like this and have heart attacks....best be safe than sorry Op x

Havana7 · 09/06/2018 18:43

Does it ever go round your back too? Like someone is pulling a belt tight around you? Is it where the middle part of your bra would sit?

Original poster

BigbreastsBiggerbeard · 09/06/2018 19:41

Thanks for all your replies. I'll definitely talk to the GP about it this week, though she's not the best GP. By the time I see her, my last lot of blood test results should have come back so we can see if my cholesterol is still high (no reason to think it will have come down after this long)

Havana7 - no, I don't recall it ever travelling round to my back. I know that can be a bad sign, too.

Katescurious - sorry to hear about your dad. Yes, that is scary. And certainly I want to know for sure. Strange to think that these things can be happening without us really knowing.

OP posts:

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