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Could My Sternum And Rib Pain Be Heart-related, Or Is It More Likely From Costochondritis Or Anxiety?
Posted on
Wed, 13 May 2020
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 13 May 2020
Answered on
2 hours ago
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello this is a follow up question for dr Sharka today I have pain and upset feeling at bottom of sturnum ans across the ribs blood pressure heart rate and oxygen good no other symptoms my concern with this covid is if this sounds like cardiac issues and if I should be doing more cardiac work please advise
No history of cardiac issues
No blood pressure issues
Do suffer from Costo fybro anxiety
Advise I have uploaded a picture of where my pain is
No history of cardiac issues
No blood pressure issues
Do suffer from Costo fybro anxiety
Advise I have uploaded a picture of where my pain is
Brief Answer:
There is no need for any further cardiac tests.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back to Ask A Doctor service!
Your symptoms are not typical of any cardiac disorders. Besides, considering the recently performed stress echo, we can completely exclude coronary artery disease. In my opinion, your symptoms are suggestive of possible gastritis or costochondritis.
Is the pain triggered by manual pressure on this region or deep breathing? This could be indicative of costochondritis.
Otherwise, if the pain is triggered by eating or hunger, this would indicate a stomach issue (possible acid reflux or gastritis). To conclude, I don't think that you need to perform any additional cardiac tests, as I am sure that they will result in normal.
Hope you will find this answer helpful! If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me at any time! Please stay safe.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
There is no need for any further cardiac tests.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back to Ask A Doctor service!
Your symptoms are not typical of any cardiac disorders. Besides, considering the recently performed stress echo, we can completely exclude coronary artery disease. In my opinion, your symptoms are suggestive of possible gastritis or costochondritis.
Is the pain triggered by manual pressure on this region or deep breathing? This could be indicative of costochondritis.
Otherwise, if the pain is triggered by eating or hunger, this would indicate a stomach issue (possible acid reflux or gastritis). To conclude, I don't think that you need to perform any additional cardiac tests, as I am sure that they will result in normal.
Hope you will find this answer helpful! If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me at any time! Please stay safe.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hello thank you my last 2 questions are as follows
1- at times my left upper arm hurts does nit travel sometimes hurts just sitting here not doing anything do u think this has anything cardiac related as I understand arm pain may be one sign
2 if none of this is cardiac can I continue to workout and be active with my spouse
1- at times my left upper arm hurts does nit travel sometimes hurts just sitting here not doing anything do u think this has anything cardiac related as I understand arm pain may be one sign
2 if none of this is cardiac can I continue to workout and be active with my spouse
Brief Answer:
You can continue physical activity normally.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The left arm pain without doing anything is more suggestive of fibromyalgia.
You should know that the cardiac pain at rest is usually associated to changes in the ECG and also in the stress echo, because the chest pain at rest occurs at advanced stages coronary artery disease.
But, your ECG and stress echo are normal, so I would completely exclude any cardiac issues. From the other hand your symptoms are not typical of coronary artery disease.
To conclude, I would encourage you to workout and be active with your spouse as normally, because nothing bad is going to happen.
Just relax and don't worry about it! Wishing all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
You can continue physical activity normally.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The left arm pain without doing anything is more suggestive of fibromyalgia.
You should know that the cardiac pain at rest is usually associated to changes in the ECG and also in the stress echo, because the chest pain at rest occurs at advanced stages coronary artery disease.
But, your ECG and stress echo are normal, so I would completely exclude any cardiac issues. From the other hand your symptoms are not typical of coronary artery disease.
To conclude, I would encourage you to workout and be active with your spouse as normally, because nothing bad is going to happen.
Just relax and don't worry about it! Wishing all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi there
Quick question I am seeing my gp today for some blood results s but I noticed about an hour ago I stated feeling what seems like extra heart beats blood pressure oxygen heart rate all normal and no pain but not sure what these are and if they are dangerous
Quick question I am seeing my gp today for some blood results s but I noticed about an hour ago I stated feeling what seems like extra heart beats blood pressure oxygen heart rate all normal and no pain but not sure what these are and if they are dangerous
Brief Answer:
Some extra heart beats do not indicate anything serious.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Regarding your concern, I would explain that some extra heart beats are quite normal in every healthy person, due to physical activity or emotional stress. They do not indicate any serious medical disorder and there is no reason to panic.
But, if they become frequent, even in the absence of physical or emotional stress (anxiety), it would be necessary investigate for some metabolic disorders (like thyroid gland dysfunction, electrolyte imbalance, anemia), which can trigger this situation. For this reason, some blood lab tests (complete blood count, thyroid hormone levels, blood electrolytes) should be checked in case of frequent extra heart beats.
Hope you will find this information helpful! If you have any other uncertainties, please don't hesitate to ask me again! Wishing you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Some extra heart beats do not indicate anything serious.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Regarding your concern, I would explain that some extra heart beats are quite normal in every healthy person, due to physical activity or emotional stress. They do not indicate any serious medical disorder and there is no reason to panic.
But, if they become frequent, even in the absence of physical or emotional stress (anxiety), it would be necessary investigate for some metabolic disorders (like thyroid gland dysfunction, electrolyte imbalance, anemia), which can trigger this situation. For this reason, some blood lab tests (complete blood count, thyroid hormone levels, blood electrolytes) should be checked in case of frequent extra heart beats.
Hope you will find this information helpful! If you have any other uncertainties, please don't hesitate to ask me again! Wishing you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello,
I have recently done a thyroid and hormonal test all normal I wonder if it can be do to less sleep and or dehydration as I did not drink anything I checked with my gp she said my heart beats are normal rhythm but stronger she said nothing of concern as many things could have caused it but I wonder if I should seek additional testing if so what tests should be performed also should I be afraid of eminent danger.
I am logging it it happened a few times around noon and again a few min ago but no other symptoms.
I have recently done a thyroid and hormonal test all normal I wonder if it can be do to less sleep and or dehydration as I did not drink anything I checked with my gp she said my heart beats are normal rhythm but stronger she said nothing of concern as many things could have caused it but I wonder if I should seek additional testing if so what tests should be performed also should I be afraid of eminent danger.
I am logging it it happened a few times around noon and again a few min ago but no other symptoms.
Brief Answer:
There is no reason to panic!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I agree with you that it seems to be just dehydration. For this reason, I recommend taking plenty of water in order to stay well hydrated. I don't think you should worry about it!
As you are going to meet your doctor, I would suggest checking blood electrolytes. Anyway, you should know that anxiety can mimic all this situation, especially if you are thinking all the time about your heart rate. So, try not to think about it!
I would like to reassure you that nothing bad is going to happen!
Please try to stay safe! Wishing you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
There is no reason to panic!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I agree with you that it seems to be just dehydration. For this reason, I recommend taking plenty of water in order to stay well hydrated. I don't think you should worry about it!
As you are going to meet your doctor, I would suggest checking blood electrolytes. Anyway, you should know that anxiety can mimic all this situation, especially if you are thinking all the time about your heart rate. So, try not to think about it!
I would like to reassure you that nothing bad is going to happen!
Please try to stay safe! Wishing you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hello thank you one last question much appreciated and saves me from going ti emergency room amid this covid I took my blood pressure and the reading was low 85/59 70 but said irregular heart beat then I took it again 1 to 2 min later and it was 92/63 72 but I had placed my arm higher level to heart and lifted the machine as well should I be worried about the irregular heart rate
Brief Answer:
You have no reason to worry!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You should know that blood pressure monitor is not the best tool to examine your heart rhythm, as it may miss some heart beats due to a wrong position of the stethoscope (part of the monitor). So, I don't think that there is any reason to worry!
I would just recommend taking plenty of fluids as your blood pressure values are a little low.
Hope you will find this answer helpful! Let me know about everything!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
You have no reason to worry!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You should know that blood pressure monitor is not the best tool to examine your heart rhythm, as it may miss some heart beats due to a wrong position of the stethoscope (part of the monitor). So, I don't think that there is any reason to worry!
I would just recommend taking plenty of fluids as your blood pressure values are a little low.
Hope you will find this answer helpful! Let me know about everything!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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