HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Experiencing Pain In Chest And Lower Abdomen And Shortness Of Breath. Related To Heart Problem?

default
Posted on Wed, 7 Nov 2012
Question: i have experiencing pain in my chest most of the time.pain in lower abdominal,acidity in stomach,and some time shortness of breath also happened.frequent gas explusion very annoying ,blood pressure normal.pl diagnose if any heart problem.heaviness in chest and shortness of breath happened frequently from last one month.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anil Grover (3 hours later)
Hi there,
Thanks for writing in.
I am a qualified and certified cardiologist. I read your mail with diligence.
To be 100% sure in 52 year person to say that heart disease is there or not one needs history (present or absent) of risk factors like blood pressure (which you said is normal), cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and most important EKG and Stress test. However there are pointers in the description of pain that one can say with reasonable certainty that pain is not because of heart though breathlessness association can not be explained unless you have asthma like symptoms or if you are a smoker. You can write about these factors (of those known to you) in follow up question, I will be most happy to answer.
I feel you have is a condition in which spillage of gastric contents occur in food pipe called gasto esopageal reflux disease GERD. What I suggest is, till you show to to a doctor and get heart disease excluded do following things:
1. There are over the counter medicines (antacids etcetra available which can be tried till you are prescribed specific medicines for GERD (as Prilosac). None the less some life style changes, I am sure most you have done, just to re capitulate:
a)Maintain a healthy weight. Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen,
pushing up your stomach and causing acid to back up into your esophagus.
If your weight is healthy, work to maintain it. If you are overweight or obese,
work to slowly lose weight — no more than 1 or 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram)
a week.
2. Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter.
3.Avoid foods and drinks that trigger heartburn. Everyone has specific triggers. Common triggers such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine may make heartburn worse. Avoid foods you know will trigger your heartburn.
4. Eat smaller meals. Avoid overeating by eating smaller meals.
5. Don't lie down after a meal. Wait at least three hours after eating before lying
down or going to bed.
6. Elevate the head of your bed. If you regularly experience heartburn at night or while trying to sleep, put gravity to work for you. Place wood or cement blocks under the feet of your bed so that the head end is raised by six to nine inches. If it's not possible to elevate your bed, you can insert a wedge between your mattress and box spring to elevate your body from the waist up. Wedges are available at drugstores and medical supply stores. Raising your head with additional pillows is not effective.
7. If you are a smoker please do not smoke. Smoking decreases the lower esophageal sphincter's ability to function properly. Good Luck.

With best wishes.
Dr Anil Grover,
Cardiologist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M.(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Anil Grover (39 minutes later)
i am not a smoker, nor having ashtama,.cholestor level below 200,no diabeties conditon,feeling pain just after meal in lower abdominal,a constant pain on r/h part of chest,when chest pressed feel pain.gas expulsion right after half an hour of meal.noises heard from abdominal .
now you have a better picture.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anil Grover (11 minutes later)
Thanks for writing back. I appreciate the promptness.
Yes I have a better picture and I have a better news. It is not heart which is causing pain in all probability. Yes additionally if you have traveled abroad or have eaten suspect food (hygiene wise preparation) outside, a course of treatment for Giardiasis will be advisable but that is prescription drug Tinidazole 500 mg twice a day for three days ought to solve your abdominal pain problems.
Regards.

Dr Anil Grover
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Anil Grover

Cardiologist

Practicing since :1981

Answered : 922 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Experiencing Pain In Chest And Lower Abdomen And Shortness Of Breath. Related To Heart Problem?

Hi there,
Thanks for writing in.
I am a qualified and certified cardiologist. I read your mail with diligence.
To be 100% sure in 52 year person to say that heart disease is there or not one needs history (present or absent) of risk factors like blood pressure (which you said is normal), cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and most important EKG and Stress test. However there are pointers in the description of pain that one can say with reasonable certainty that pain is not because of heart though breathlessness association can not be explained unless you have asthma like symptoms or if you are a smoker. You can write about these factors (of those known to you) in follow up question, I will be most happy to answer.
I feel you have is a condition in which spillage of gastric contents occur in food pipe called gasto esopageal reflux disease GERD. What I suggest is, till you show to to a doctor and get heart disease excluded do following things:
1. There are over the counter medicines (antacids etcetra available which can be tried till you are prescribed specific medicines for GERD (as Prilosac). None the less some life style changes, I am sure most you have done, just to re capitulate:
a)Maintain a healthy weight. Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen,
pushing up your stomach and causing acid to back up into your esophagus.
If your weight is healthy, work to maintain it. If you are overweight or obese,
work to slowly lose weight — no more than 1 or 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram)
a week.
2. Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter.
3.Avoid foods and drinks that trigger heartburn. Everyone has specific triggers. Common triggers such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine may make heartburn worse. Avoid foods you know will trigger your heartburn.
4. Eat smaller meals. Avoid overeating by eating smaller meals.
5. Don't lie down after a meal. Wait at least three hours after eating before lying
down or going to bed.
6. Elevate the head of your bed. If you regularly experience heartburn at night or while trying to sleep, put gravity to work for you. Place wood or cement blocks under the feet of your bed so that the head end is raised by six to nine inches. If it's not possible to elevate your bed, you can insert a wedge between your mattress and box spring to elevate your body from the waist up. Wedges are available at drugstores and medical supply stores. Raising your head with additional pillows is not effective.
7. If you are a smoker please do not smoke. Smoking decreases the lower esophageal sphincter's ability to function properly. Good Luck.

With best wishes.
Dr Anil Grover,
Cardiologist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M.(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW