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How Can Pain In The Upper Middle Chest Be Managed?
Question: I am 68 years old, good health. The only medication I take is for my thyroid. I am a bit overweight.
I have been having small electrical type pains in my upper middle chest. It does hurt, but it is not crippling. It started several weeks ago. I didn't think anything of it, as I was in the midst of my father's illness and then him passing away. I don't feel this is a heart attack, or anything like that. Yet, I do have a heart murmur so I don't know if that could be related, or if I should be concerned. It does to happen more often now.
I have been having small electrical type pains in my upper middle chest. It does hurt, but it is not crippling. It started several weeks ago. I didn't think anything of it, as I was in the midst of my father's illness and then him passing away. I don't feel this is a heart attack, or anything like that. Yet, I do have a heart murmur so I don't know if that could be related, or if I should be concerned. It does to happen more often now.
Brief Answer:
may be neurological in origin
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The pain does not sound typical of heart related pain, this is usually a tight or heavy or crushing pain, worse with activity, relieved by rest (unless the person has severe heart disease).
The pain that you are describing seems to be neurological in origin, this means that it is nerve related pain. This type of pain can be in the form of electrical impulses as you described or it may be sticking or tingling or burning etc.
Nerve related pain/neuralgia, has different causes, it may be temporary or permanent.
Some of the more common causes are:
(1) Trauma to the nerves in the area eg if there is arthritis of the neck area where the nerves pass or chest area
(2) Diabetes
(3) Liver or kidney disease
(4) Low vitamin b12 or folate level
(5) Side effect of medication
(6) Thyroid disease
(7) Infection
(8) Exposure to toxins
(9) Neurological conditions such as stroke or ms
In some persons the symptoms resolve on their own. If severe or persistent then you should be seen for an assessment which would include physical examination and bloods.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions.
may be neurological in origin
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The pain does not sound typical of heart related pain, this is usually a tight or heavy or crushing pain, worse with activity, relieved by rest (unless the person has severe heart disease).
The pain that you are describing seems to be neurological in origin, this means that it is nerve related pain. This type of pain can be in the form of electrical impulses as you described or it may be sticking or tingling or burning etc.
Nerve related pain/neuralgia, has different causes, it may be temporary or permanent.
Some of the more common causes are:
(1) Trauma to the nerves in the area eg if there is arthritis of the neck area where the nerves pass or chest area
(2) Diabetes
(3) Liver or kidney disease
(4) Low vitamin b12 or folate level
(5) Side effect of medication
(6) Thyroid disease
(7) Infection
(8) Exposure to toxins
(9) Neurological conditions such as stroke or ms
In some persons the symptoms resolve on their own. If severe or persistent then you should be seen for an assessment which would include physical examination and bloods.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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