Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Unflip

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

1 2

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Are these heart / cardiac warning symptoms?

33 replies

Worriedkat · 10/05/2014 20:32

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?

OP posts:

Report

Worriedkat · 12/05/2014 21:36

Omeprazole for mild reflux and under active thyroid (controlled)

OP posts:

Report

LEMmingaround · 12/05/2014 21:32

Cross posts? you have health anxiety? There's your explanation. I suffer from health anxiety too - chest pain is often a symptom of anxiety. Go to the GP, put your mind at rest.

Report

LEMmingaround · 12/05/2014 21:31

I think it warrants an "emergency" appointment with your GP tomorrow. If only to put your mind at rest.

Are you on any medication at all? either prescribed or otherwise?

I was getting really strong "palpitations" which turned out to be ectopic beats - it felt like my heart was trying to get out of my chest although there was no pain. I was given an ecg which of course showed nothing at the time - which was good. I was going to holiday to scotland and was wanting to climb some way up ben nevis (not all the way) but was too scared to be anywhere too remote. I was also told not to have alcohol or caffeine - on holiday FFS!! anyway turned out to be ectopic beats, very common, in fact most people will have them, mine were just more noticable, generally at rest - When i stopped taking my hayfever medication, low and behold, stopped!

I also had chest pains recently but it was indegestion/trapped wind as it would be associated with much belching This would be twingy in nature.

I think the fact it doesn't happen on exertion is a good sign, and no other signs, also good however i don't think you should leave it, because i think your anxiety about it will probably make it happen more often and it does need checking out.

Does your surgery operate the 8am lottery? Ours has also opened a turn up and wait clinic from 8-11am, if i were in your position i would do that. You say its full on at work, well you can't give it your full attention all the while you are worried you are about to drop dead so get along to the GP in the morning - promise?

Report

Worriedkat · 12/05/2014 21:30

fanjo I am aware I have bouts of health anxiety and probably more than average GP referrals. In the past 6 months I've had a head MRI for pulsatile tinnitus, colonoscopy, breast clinic, investigation for swelling on leg, and possibly more than that. I'm trying to not panic and hoping the symptoms will abate.

I know it'll probably be Sod's law that the one time I don't panic is the time I needed to.

OP posts:

Report

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 12/05/2014 21:09

Fluttering heart is not muscular.

You are really not taking this seriously enough
iMO.

I hope a.doctor sees this here and can advise.

Report

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 12/05/2014 19:23

The fluttering is probably ectopic beats or palpitations, which again can be totally harmless, but should also be mentioned to GP. If you mention possible heart symptoms to the receptionist, you'll get a same day appointment

Report

Worriedkat · 12/05/2014 19:06

Sadly no GP appointment today, work was manic and surgery had a recorded message saying call back later! Had a weird fluttering in the middle of the night which woke me up, no pain though and none all day today. Going to try GP again on Wednesday.

I also think they will say muscular and that'll be that. I don't have any of the red flag symptoms like sweating nausea vomiting or blackouts, and the pain is too brief.

OP posts:

Report

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 11/05/2014 22:37

Yes..my point is not its likely to be something. But that it should be checked in case :)

Report

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 11/05/2014 22:32

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.

Report

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 11/05/2014 22:14

It is irrelevant.

Chest pain needs investigating ASAP.

Sorry.

Report

Worriedkat · 11/05/2014 21:43

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...

OP posts:

Report

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 11/05/2014 21:08

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

Don't risk heart damage

Report

diddlediddledumpling · 11/05/2014 21:03

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.

Report

Worriedkat · 11/05/2014 20:54

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.

OP posts:

Report

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 11/05/2014 20:16

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

Report

Worriedkat · 11/05/2014 20:09

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?

OP posts:

Report

Worriedkat · 11/05/2014 16:26

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.

OP posts:

Report

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 11/05/2014 08:44

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

Report

Worriedkat · 10/05/2014 23:01

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.

OP posts:

Report

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 10/05/2014 22:44

Good advice!

Report

BetterLatteThanNever · 10/05/2014 22:43

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!)

Report

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 10/05/2014 22:41

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.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Email address

You've subscribed!

Worriedkat · 10/05/2014 22:22

Oops sorry Betterlattethannever for crossing you out

OP posts:

Report

Worriedkat · 10/05/2014 22:20

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?

OP posts:

Report

HowsTheSerenity · 10/05/2014 22:12

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.