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Original poster

Chest pain. I did nothing at the time, but now?

51 replies

Pebblepaint · 24/08/2023 19:57

On the train home from work I was struck with the most horrendous chest pain which somehow radiated into my jaw/teeth. For several minutes I was really in a lot of pain. Then it passed and I'm fine.

I was googling to see if indigestion can be felt in your teeth (it can) but the pain from a heart attack can also be felt in your teeth!

It seems advice would have been to call an ambulance when I had the initial pain, but as I didn't and it's now passed do I assume it was indigestion or should I see someone? If so how urgent is it?

I've never had indigestion before so I don't recognise the pain and it's not something I suffer from, but neither am I high risk for heart attack. 53, slim, fit, low resting heart rate, low blood pressure.

OP posts:
SallyWD · 24/08/2023 23:31

How did it go OP? I hope you're OK.

MadeForThis · 24/08/2023 23:41

Hope everything is ok. Possible take an aspirin as that can help in early stages of heart attack.

OilOfRoses · 24/08/2023 23:42

I hope all is well OP. I once had a bad day of chest pain and took myself to A and E two days later thinking I really should get it checked. All was well and it was just indigestion, but it gave good peace of mind to have had it checked, so it's worth the effort.

PriamFarrl · 24/08/2023 23:48

I remember hearing a heart specialist say that he had experienced chest pains that he thought was a heart attack and it turned out to be indigestion. If he could be fooled then anyone can. Hopefully that’s all it is.

december2020 · 24/08/2023 23:49

Please get checked out
I had the same and it was burn out and stress.
Not saying it's the same for you but please don't ignore it and get it checked out .

Littlepinkstarsbyradish · 24/08/2023 23:52

I second everyone else - I’ve taken myself to A+E a few times with similar and on last visits I asked if I was being silly and wasting nhs resources and every single file doctor/nurse/hca told me not to be silly and to always get chest pain checked out just in case

GettingStuffed · 25/08/2023 00:14

DH had a plain in his shoulder, it passed and it was 6 weeks later during a routine appointment his GP discovered he'd had a heart attack. Get it seen asap .

sashh · 25/08/2023 00:21

Pebblepaint · 24/08/2023 20:07

I had an ECG not long ago because I was fainting. The verdict then was low blood pressure/hot weather and drink more. ECG results fine.

You can have an X-ray of your leg that is fine and then break it the day after.

Please go see your GP and get another ECG, it will probably be fine but it needs to be investigated. You might be given a monitor to keep for a week so you can record your own ECG if it happens again.

Heart attacks and indegestion are very similar and notorious in A and E for imitating each other.

As for your heart filling with blood, well that's what hearts do fill with blood then pump it round your body and I have never heard of a heart looking like a banana.

CallieQ · 25/08/2023 00:31

I've had indigestion pain in my jaw/teeth before so probably that but get checked out just to be sure

Notimelikeyesterday · 25/08/2023 07:34

Any update @Pebblepaint ?

Original poster
Pebblepaint · 25/08/2023 08:15

Ambulance felt there was something in ECG that needed further investigation (a pattern that can be a sign of heart attack or can be normal in trained athletes, which I am) so I went to A&E. A&E were very polite and I had blood tests, further ECG and a chest xray but they basically said it was a fuss over nothing and 111 always over react.

Got home at 3:30!

OP posts:
Tiredmum100 · 25/08/2023 08:21

Pebblepaint · 25/08/2023 08:15

Ambulance felt there was something in ECG that needed further investigation (a pattern that can be a sign of heart attack or can be normal in trained athletes, which I am) so I went to A&E. A&E were very polite and I had blood tests, further ECG and a chest xray but they basically said it was a fuss over nothing and 111 always over react.

Got home at 3:30!

I hate the fact they've made you feel it was a fuss over nothing. It wasn't. It's that kind of attitude that puts people off getting help in the first place, ignoring the serious things! Hope you're ok.

Ivyusername · 25/08/2023 08:27

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

UnaOfStormhold · 25/08/2023 08:47

OP by coincidence I've just finished reading a book about athletes and their hearts which you might find interesting - it's fascinating to know how training affects the heart and it explains why extremely fit people can have heart problems and how to reduce the risk. It's called the Haywire Heart.

Original poster
Pebblepaint · 25/08/2023 14:29

FFS. Whilst in A&E I bumped into a friend who'd injured herself and she's put it on FB. Phone hasn't stopped all day! I feel a proper fraud.

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 25/08/2023 14:50

Pebblepaint · 25/08/2023 14:29

FFS. Whilst in A&E I bumped into a friend who'd injured herself and she's put it on FB. Phone hasn't stopped all day! I feel a proper fraud.

You're not a fraud. There's good reason why sports grounds, gyms and pools all had defibrillators pitch/athlete side long before they were introduced for the spectators and general public.

Your symptoms were red flags for anybody and if you ever have them again, you must do the same.

With the calls 'yeah, they wanted to check because of what can happen to people on the pitch. Better safe than sorry' - they'll probably go on about footballers for a bit and leave you alone then.

CreatingHavoc · 25/08/2023 15:04

You did the right thing OP. Yes 111 do sometimes err on the side of caution but rather that than be dead.

Jntprcsbllyngcnt · 25/08/2023 16:29

You did the right thing. I had similar symptoms and my GP told me off for not calling 999 at the time. They gave me an ECG at the surgery and all was well but said if it ever happens again I'm to go to A&E straight away.

LadyVictoriaSponge · 25/08/2023 16:38

Pebblepaint · 25/08/2023 14:29

FFS. Whilst in A&E I bumped into a friend who'd injured herself and she's put it on FB. Phone hasn't stopped all day! I feel a proper fraud.

I would be having words with your “friend” announcing your private medical information on Facebook.

sashh · 26/08/2023 00:32

You did the right thing and I'm sorry A and E were not sympathetic.

Yes athletes, in particuar long distance runners often need pacemakers as they get older.

Toddlerteaplease · 26/08/2023 01:03

BettyOBarley · 24/08/2023 20:02

You need to get checked.
DH's auntie recently had a heart attack on the Tuesday but put it down to indigestion, she didn't get seen until Saturday by which time it has caused permanent damage to her heart which could have been avoided.

Same with my BIL.

Shady23 · 26/08/2023 02:02

sashh · 26/08/2023 00:32

You did the right thing and I'm sorry A and E were not sympathetic.

Yes athletes, in particuar long distance runners often need pacemakers as they get older.

That
It's never overreacting with chest pain especially if it is radiating into jaw/left arm

Poivresel · 26/08/2023 02:22

@Pebblepaint i went to A&E with chest pain , I was 57, it was actually heartburn but the dr told me I had done the right thing to get checked and told me to visit my gp for further advice.
If it happens again see your gp, I ended up with an endoscopy and they found multiple stomach ulcers!

Soapyspuds · 27/08/2023 08:39

I would be having words with your “friend” announcing your private medical information on Facebook

Why do people think this is acceptable. What an arse!

lljkk · 27/08/2023 09:36

Ach, I hope you're having a good lie-in now, at least.