What Causes Chest Burning Sensation During Sex And Physical Exercise?

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 15 Sep 2015 Answered on

Thu, 1 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : doctor I'm almost certain I have angina. I experience severe chest burning on exercsion.sex and walking up hills.it goes away within a few minutes of rest.I've had 3 stress all were negative for heart disease.the last was 8 months ago. I have reflux and esophagitis.because of this my doctor attributes all my symptoms to reflux.I never experience the burning at rest only when active.I'm in tears doctor because nobody believes me.my doctor has reffered me to a psychiatrist.can I demand to see a cardiologist?I stay in the uk.I have spoken to a cardiologist on ask a doctor and he has told me not to worry. I can't help but worry. I also have bad pain in my legs when walking.not sure if this is connected

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your symptoms don't seem to be related to angina

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!

Thank you for asking one again on HCM!

I would reassure you that your symptoms are not cardiac related. Your repeated stress tests exclude this possibility. (It is a short period since your last stress test).

So don't worry about your heart!

As I have explained before the gastro esophageal reflux can explain the fact that your symptoms are related to physical exercise. The raise in the abdominal pressure during physical exercise can induce the gastric content to go back to the esophagus when the lower esophageal sphincter is not very efficient (in case of gastro esophageal reflux). This sphincter may be able to avoid reflux during staying, but not in raised intraabdominal pressure (from the contractions of the abdominal wall muscles during physical activity, even walking).

Regarding your pain in the lower limbs while walking, a careful differential diagnosis between a spinal canal stenosis and a peripheral arteriopathy is needed.

I recommend performing a Doppler ultrasound of the lower limb vessels to examine the blood flow and exclude any possible stenosis or vein insufficiency.

If this exam results normal, I would strongly encourage to consult with a neurologist for a careful physical examination and a possible nerve conduction study and spinal column MRI, to rule in/ out any possible spinal canal stenosis, which would be responsible for the so called "spinal claudicatio" (which is difficulty walking for a long perimeter, related to a compression of the spinal cord).

Hope to have been helpful!

I am at your disposal for any other questions, whenever you need!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

thanks doctor. I had my legs checked yesterday and the doctor checked my pulse in my feet and said my legs were warm.he squeezed my toes and said that the blood returned quickly. so he was happy to rule out anything serious? should I ask him for a more in-depth examination? thanks again for the reassurance

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You should proceed wit hthe following tests:

Detailed Answer:

Hi again, XXXX!

As your doctor has confirmed normal arterial pulses of the lower limbs, an important peripheral artery disease is excluded.

Nevertheless, I still recommend a lower limbs Doppler ultrasound for investigating possible vein insufficiency (which may be a source of your lower limbs pain).

Coming to this point a careful neurological examination, a nerve conduction study and spinal column MRI are advisable.

Best regards,

Dr. Iliri

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar