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Original poster

Ongoing chest pain… Any suggestions?

27 replies

xxmumof2 · 18/09/2023 15:46

Has anyone ever had ongoing chest pain that turned out to be nothing?

I have suffered constant chest pain since December. The pain ranges from shooting pain to pressure to tightness to squeezing to dull aches.

Sometimes it’s been accompanied by heaviness and pain in the left arm, tightness of jaw, shortness of breath, nausea, feeling of dread

I’ve had an ambulance out when it’s been at it’s worst. I’ve been to a&e 3x this year

I’ve had an appointment with a cardiac specialist and a heart echo. Awaiting test results

Was told at each a&e appointment my blood tests and ECG and blood pressure were completely normal. ECG at my cardiology appointment completely normal. The cardiac specialist said I am Low risk for cardiovascular disease & it doesn’t sound like angina as it comes on when resting.

The heart echo I’m awaiting results for, but he told me on the day there is nothing immediately concerning shown, no leakages, heart valves working properly. I’ve had 2 chest x rays to check my lungs which have been clear also

Awaiting 24 hour ECG next. My symptoms have been debaliting but multiple tests have shown no evidence of heart damage or heart condition. It’s not Costocondritis as it doesn’t hurt when I press in.

For context, I’m 25 years old, no diagnosed heart or other health conditions, quit smoking almost 2 years ago, drink maybe once every 6 months, no drugs in my life.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
StanleyGoodspeed · 18/09/2023 15:48

yes mine turned out to be coronary artery spasm and oesophageal spasms

Torturedsoul · 18/09/2023 15:49

Mine turned out to be POTS and Long Covid. Very scary at times.

Original poster
xxmumof2 · 18/09/2023 15:50

Is the artery spasms dangerous if you don’t mind me asking? I’m worried about my heart echo results but he told me on the day that it looks completely fine from what he’s seen.

OP posts:
Original poster
xxmumof2 · 18/09/2023 15:51

That’s interesting, I’m unsure if I’ve had COVID - I’ve only done one test since it came around as I was unwell at work and it was negative. What is POTS?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 18/09/2023 15:52

My chest pains were the result of gastritis and Esophagitis.

Original poster
xxmumof2 · 18/09/2023 15:54

How did you get the diagnosis of this?

OP posts:
Nellieinthebarn · 18/09/2023 15:54

I had exactly these symptoms. I was eventually diagnosed with Cardiac Arterial Spasm, also called Prinzmetal's Disease. Its rare and difficult to diagnose, some cardiologists won't have come across it, and some just willfully won't accept it. It can cause heart attacks and heart damage if not treated.

StanleyGoodspeed · 18/09/2023 15:55

yes with my coronary artery spasm I have abnormal ECGs

Original poster
xxmumof2 · 18/09/2023 15:56

@Nellieinthebarn im sorry to hear that, it sounds terrifying. I hope this isn’t the case.

OP posts:
Original poster
xxmumof2 · 18/09/2023 15:57

@StanleyGoodspeed I see! I’ve had 5 ECG this year alone and all have been normal.

OP posts:
gingangirly · 18/09/2023 16:01

Nellieinthebarn · 18/09/2023 15:54

I had exactly these symptoms. I was eventually diagnosed with Cardiac Arterial Spasm, also called Prinzmetal's Disease. Its rare and difficult to diagnose, some cardiologists won't have come across it, and some just willfully won't accept it. It can cause heart attacks and heart damage if not treated.

Me too! And my sister, and my (late) grandmother.

The cardiologist told me it was rare so I couldn't have it! Shock

I have had two angiograms and I have the cleanest arteries they have seen apparently.

Mine is brought on by stress, sisters and grandmothers by the cold.

StanleyGoodspeed · 18/09/2023 16:01

have you had ECG while you have the episodes though?

Original poster
xxmumof2 · 18/09/2023 16:26

@StanleyGoodspeed i have yes

OP posts:
Original poster
xxmumof2 · 18/09/2023 16:27

I’ve been given antidepressants and sent to CBT for anxiety.

OP posts:
Nellieinthebarn · 18/09/2023 16:41

xxmumof2 · 18/09/2023 16:27

I’ve been given antidepressants and sent to CBT for anxiety.

Well if you have Prinzmetals they probably won't help much.

I am on a GTN spray for when I have a spasm, long acting nitrates and calcium blockers to help prevent spasms and aspirin just to be on the safe side i think. I'm also on statins, because although I don't have high cholesterol, getting a blockage and a spasm in my arteries will be bad news, so they are to to prevent blockages.

Can I ask if you have migraines and/or raynauds? they are often associated with Prinzmetals.

There is a very helpful support group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/626759484130445

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/626759484130445

Original poster
xxmumof2 · 18/09/2023 16:42

@Nellieinthebarn i mean, they told me there’s no evidence of anything wrong with my heart and it’s likely caused by anxiety and panic attacks. I don’t have migraines no.

OP posts:
Nellieinthebarn · 18/09/2023 16:48

@xxmumof2 There is nothing wrong with my heart either, and I also have very smooth and clear arteries. I really do hope you don't have CAS, but if you do there are support groups out there.

WillWeSeeTheSunAgain · 18/09/2023 19:17

Has anyone given you reflux medicine?

I get chest pain when I have bad reflux

gamerchick · 18/09/2023 19:18

xxmumof2 · 18/09/2023 15:54

How did you get the diagnosis of this?

Endoscopy.

It doesn't sound like it's your heart if you've had that many tests. It'll be something else. Maybe introduce exercise into your life for a bit of control.

Prettypoppies50 · 18/09/2023 19:19

I have all the above symptoms from time to time. I do have costochondrits though as all my ribs hurt when I press on them and I get refferred muscle aches and pains. I hurt all the time really.

I have had so many ECGS including whilst being in pain. I've also been given NG meds whilst in pain which did nothing to alleviate it. I've had many chest x rays plus blood tests plus the occasional blood gas and d diner test. Nothing is ever picked up. Everything is clear.

I have extreme delibtating heart health anxiety because of this pain which I've lived with for 7 years. I'm on meds and having therapy so cope better but still in pain. So my pain is either a costo/muscle/anxiety mix or I have raging angina nothing has detected or confirmed 🙈

WillWeSeeTheSunAgain · 18/09/2023 19:20

I got the same diagnosis as @gamerchick also from an endoscopy

Prettypoppies50 · 18/09/2023 19:23

Also my pain is always at rest..when active or busy it either goes away or I don't notice it. I've been known to start running up and down the stairs when it hits because if it were typical angina it would get worse. But thankfully it does nt and that's my way of proving to myself I'm not about to keel over.

brighton2272744 · 24/06/2024 18:35

Prettypoppies50 · 18/09/2023 19:23

Also my pain is always at rest..when active or busy it either goes away or I don't notice it. I've been known to start running up and down the stairs when it hits because if it were typical angina it would get worse. But thankfully it does nt and that's my way of proving to myself I'm not about to keel over.

how are you now plz

Shiveringinthecountry · 24/06/2024 19:35

When you say 'chest pain', where do you mean? I've just been diagnosed with an oesophageal motility problem and it's causing agonising pain just below my sternum at the front, and also behind that at the back.

If that's what you mean then look up Achalasia. That's an oesophageal problem, and it's quite often mistaken for a heart attack because of where the pain is and because it's so severe.

I have to say I'd have been very angry if I'd been brushed off with anxiety and recommended CBT if I'd presented with your symptoms. It sounds like the sadly still quite typical dismissing of women's pain they can't easily diagnose as hysteria of some sort.

TSJ19 · 24/06/2024 19:42

Hi I suffer with this and mine was POTs and I also have Long Covid

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