Ongoing centre chest pains, breathleness, upper back pain, been to A&E 3 times in 1 month

[Bighugs88]

Hi 👋
I have spoken to my gp for medical advice. I am just hoping for reassurance, support and if anyone else has or is going through the same thing. I will try to keep this short but a lot has been going on.

Background: 33 yrs female, no high bp, normal cholesterol levels, never smoked, never taken recreational drugs, bmi of 20, active and work part-time as a Midday Assistant. No previous or known heart conditions. Both parents are in their 60s and high high bp, high cholesterol and are on medication (blood thinners). My mum recently has been suffering from breathlessness and chest pain so is under going tests through the NHS relating to Angina.

So from Feb to April I had random pain in my upper left arm which went after a week, then randomly I had a sharp pain right in the centre where my heart is and this pain travelled across my right chest to my shoulder. I couldn't move and had to sit down then after 4 mins the pain went and I was completely fine. This then happened again numerous times after 3 weeks gap. I only started to take this as a serious health concern when on 30/5/2022 in the evening the pain happened again, terrified in quickly went to local A&E they did an ecg which was normal and then said I could go home and a doctor will call u tomorrow. I didn't ask for further testing as I felt fine, but on the same day at night when I was sleeping 10:45pm I wanted to turn and then then pain started again but this time my right shoulder up to my elbow was hurting. Went back to A&E in the car as the ambulance didn't come. They kept me in and did ecg, chest x ray & blood test for inflammation, viruses & tropnin, the results all came back fine. The doctor was surprised I was having these pains since Feb, said it might be costochondritis eventhough my ribs and sternum were not tender or sore. Since 31/5/2022 I have been having continuous dull ache in the centre of my chest (feels like my heart is injured or bruised 😞) I get random sharp chest pains for a few seconds on my left and right side. Having fluttering of the heart which feels like in my throat, breathlessness & upper back pain. When breathing in or laughing my chest hurts at the centre. I was back in A&E 2 days ago and again chest x ray is clear (no inflammation & no swelling of heart), blood tests normal, ecg fine. The doctor tested for blood clotting, haemoglobin & d dimer for clotting all the results are fine so ruled out anaemia & doesn't think clot in lungs.

My anxiety levels have been really high, thinking the worse that I am having an impending heart attack, swelling of heart, blood clot in lungs . I have a 5 years old daughter who has autism and she is my world. Due to hig levels of anxiety I have loss my appetite and have now a sensation that there is a lump in my food pipe and finding it hard to swallow.

My gp finally has referred me to a cardiologist as the rapid access chest clinic do not take female patients under 40 yrs if there is any abnormal result (high bp, abnormal test results from A&E). She has referred me for 24 has ecg and also an ultrasound scan of my abdomen to rule out problems with gall bladder. This might take weeks, but the doctor said if I feel very unwell or unable to keep down liquids then I need to go back to A&E.
I am just so worried that I am going to drop dead, that there is something seriously wrong with my heart. Even typing this now I am getting weird palpitations. Seriously I am not disregarding pain, but if the pain was somewhere else I wouldn't be so worried but as it is my chest area right in the centre I am thinking the worst is going to happen even though 2 different doctors at A&E have reassured me there is no instant danger. Please anyone there for support

Badger1970
Thank you for your message the rapid access clinic near where I live refused the referral sent on 7th June and I spoke to the clinic directly on the phone. They said they have a specific eligibility criteria which is that for females under the age of 40 your referral will only be accepted if there is any abnormal results from A&E, if A&E doctor recommend this.
So instead the gp has referred me to cardiologist and also requested 24hr ecg monitor separately
Just being optimistic that I have been A&E twice when I was thinking I am having a heart attack and on both occasions the results are normal.
But I am so worried that I might have angina (blocked vessels) but I have been told if the angina is stable the pain only occurs with exertion and goes away when resting. So I can't be having this on and off everyday and I don't think it's unstable angina that would be very scary

Yes, horrific pain along my bra band.

Gallstones are mostly a problem for women in fertile years. Most women have them but they only cause a problem for some.

I am having a dull ache it's above the belly button and below the breats right in the middle of the abdomen. It's very tender and hurts when I press on it. My upper back is so stiff up to my shoulders including my chest area and all my sides where my ribs are. The pain is internal coming in waves.

Feels like early labour in the abdomen and chest and back😕

The centre of my chest between breasts feels so uncomfortable and heavy where my heart is. Been to A&E twice and they ruled out on both occasions its not heart attack as tropnin was very low. Then am I supposed to wait for my appointment with cardiologist whilst having this pain and discomfort.
Should I go to A&E if the pain changes meaning very severe and travelling to arms?

@IncessantNameChanger

Have you been able to find out what your chest pains were? Are your symptoms still happening?

My gp said the cardiologist will refer you to further testing. However, my gp did refer me separately for 24 hr ecg as I have also been having regular palpitations with pain but this could also be related to anxiety as I have been very anxious and thinking negative thoughts since end of may

i Have this and it’s reflux/gastritis/hiatus hernia. Most medicines make it worse. Anxiety makes it much worse.

You’ve answered it yourself. anxiety, feeling full, burping.

Honestly if it was your heart they’d have found something by now given all the tests you’ve had

This really does sound like reflux and hiatus hernia to me. You've not had investigations for that?

Same symptoms for me and it was bad reflux and HH like PP said. You really should look into this. The pain radiates all around, it's not just in one place.

Friend with similar symptoms has had pericarditis. It's triggered by anxiety in her case. She's quite heavy so they did take seriously risk she might be having a HA.

@Matchingcollarandcuffs

I have calmed down knowing I have been to A&E on 3 occasions in the last 4 weeks. On 2 occasions I have had tests done blood tests, x ray & ecgs and all are clear. So I have stopped being really anxious about my heart. This has helped with my digestion. I have been given lansoprazole to take, which has helped a lot as I don't feel nauseous in the morning. The pain around my heart area and back is still there, but hopefully when I see the cardiologist further tests can be done. Thank u

@userlotsanumbers
The A&E doctors were mainly concerned about my heart and lungs and did tests based on that. I have had gastritis in the past and I remember that well I was vomiting on empty stomach couldn't keep liquids or solids down. I have been given lansoprazole now which has helped with nausea and indigestion as me being very anxious triggered the vomiting recently. However, as my chest and upper back hurt daily on and off the gp wants to rule out any heart complications.

@Nandocushion
The lansoprazole has helped greatly with indigestion. I was able to eat my food today without being sick. However, I am just worried about the constant centre chest and upper back pain, still think my heart gall bladder might be the problem.just waiting for cardiologist now to rule out heart.

@lljkk
Sorry to hear about your friend, how is your friend doing now?
I have heard of percarditis, that's inflammation of the heart sac right?
I have chest x rays done twice now and 2 sets of blood tests. The chest x ray where clear and very low inflammation markers on blood tests. The a&e doctor said your heart is healthy based on everything so far. But when i am having the pain my stupid brain is telling me all sorts of things such as having an enlarged heart or HA. I still do have symptoms but not anxious as much as I have spoken to my mum & husband about this and they have provided moral support. I just need to have further tests via cardiologist to rule everything out. They might do echo scan, ct angiogram calcium score, 24 hr ecg, just hoping the referral goes through and is accepted as the rapid access chest clinic didn't accept referral as I was classified as low risk based on results so far and my age below 40yrs. I am 33 with no high risk factors for heart disease but have suffered from anxiety.

Has anyone considered gallstones,?

central chest and back pain were my first symptoms

How long have you been taking nurofen? - it’s a well known cause of gastritis (which can cause chest pain).

@123feraverto
Thank you for replying,
I mentioned this to my gp on 23rd June, because apart from the chest pain and upper back pain which are the worst symptoms with palpitations. I did have an episode of severe high up middle abdominal pain at night it woke me up, felt like wave of labour pain and sitting down or resting would not help at all had this for 10 mins non stop. Since then not had an episode again but when I touch the centre of my abdomen above belly button it feels tender and painful. Gp agreed to send me for ultrasound scan to check gall bladder but she said may take couple of weeks

Fave you had Covid ? Heart problems are one of the leftovers from long Covid.

@Greybeardy
I was taking nurofen for about 2 weeks, but decided to stick with paracetamol like you mentioned it can irritate the stomach lining. I was told by gp & accident emergency doctors take nurofen for costochondritis but that is not my condition as i don't have tender or sore ribs or sternum when touched. Have decided to stick with paracetamol

Conversely, one could also say that when anything goes wrong with our mental health it can have an apparent detrimental effect on our physical health.
you can be certain that all of your testing and check ups you’ve had, have ruled out everything you’re anxious about.
I suggest you ask for a referral to some counselling that could help your mental health. It certainly wouldn’t do you any harm.

@Siezethefish
Haven't tested myself for covid. The school were I work as a Midday Assistant so many children have been off as they have tested positive for covid.
I had covid in Dec 2020 and I ended up with high blood pressure for the first time and very bad upset stomach. I am aware that covid can cause breathing problems as well as heart. Have tests at home will check for this

That's good , hopefully you won't be waiting too long , I was referred July 2021 and got a cancellation ultrasound beginning of august , then got my gallbladder out October ,

Mine was hurried as I gave birth June 2021 so all the pain killers they would give me was paracetamol and ibuprofen

I hope it sheds some light on you symptoms

You say your palpitations started when you were really anxious. Could it be anxiety and the palpitations a sort of panic attack?

@Soontobe60
Thank you for your message. A friend of mine did mention about this and something about talking therapies. Seriously the health anxiety that I have been going through really put my brain into a fog where I was constantly thinking about impending fear regarding my health. Anxiety is a killer can make you so unwell and drained with fatigue. I didn't know anxiety can cause a range of physical problems. I have also downloaded the mindfulness app which has breathing exercises that has helped with the pounding heart ❤

Did has costochronditis and when she has an attack the pain is like she’s having a heart attack.

also have your vitamin d levels been checked? That can cause awful aches and pains if low.

@Misstes
Most likely yes, when i had the sharp chest pain quite a few times from Feb to April I never had palpitations during that time. It's only when I went to hospital and read about my symptoms which is not always a great idea but couldn't help it the anxiety kicked in, that's when the palpitations started into full force and even making mypain worse in my chest area.
The gp did say I need to try my best to calm down as you want to separate the symptoms from anxiety to what you are actually suffering from meaning you are having chest pains but the severity could be triggered by you constantly being anxious.

@QuebecBagnet
I don't think the A&E doctors mentioned about vitamin d being tested andy gp surgery don't really offer routine blood tests unless for urgent reasons which one of the gp said to me a few weeks back. At A&E the following was tested:
Blood clotting (thrombin)
Haemoglobin
FBC
Troponin
WBC
D Dimer- blood clot risk (for lungs)
Liver function
Kidney function
Viruses
Inflammatory markers
All tests were fine and normal.

Will ask the gp if I can get my vitamins checked including thyroid & ferrtin
fif the gp(s) don't agree then might get a full blood test done privately which is around £120. The gp(s) at my surgery don't really want to do routine blood tests referral and I have no idea why