What Causes Chest Discomfort With Shoulder Pain And Dizziness?

Posted on Tue, 1 Dec 2015

Question: Hi. I have been having discomfort in both the upper right and left sides of my chest (not the middle) off and on for a couple of days. It has started again each morning even without exercise. My doctor believes these and other symptoms (including cold, tingling fingers, lightheadedness, pain in shoulders and neck) are the result of anxiety disorder. I also have CAD. Last stress test was two months ago and I performed very well. I exercise vigorously 4 days a week without discomfort. I'm not convinced that I do have anxiety but this pain is certainly not helping if I do. Everything I've read suggests that long lasting discomfort (several hours) is generally not cardiac related. Is this generally true? Should I be concerned that it is cardio related?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query...

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

Yes, pain or chest discomfort lasting for hours isn't cardiac related and you shouldn't worry about. Moreover, the fact that you performed well on stress test two months ago confirm that.

It's true that some of your symptoms (especially finger tingling, dizziness, lightheaded etc.) are most likely related to anxiety.

However other causesof chest pain (other than cardiac or anxiety) should be excluded before.

A long lasting bilateral chest pain may be related to gastrointestinal problems (especially GERD, gastritis, stomach ulcer etc.).

Gastritis and/or a stomach ulcer is a well-known complication of Clopidogrel (Plavix) use and you should schedule an appointment with gastroenterologist.

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Thanks so much for your quick reply. Whatever is going on with me it does bring frequent discomfort/soreness in my upper back, and upper chest that reaches down the sides -along my pectorals. It is a bit debilitating and really whacks me out. As mentioned earlier my fingers are almost always extremely cold. It's uncomfortable. It starts most days shortly after I awake in the morning and can persist for most of the day or just a few hours. Is this likely related to my heart disease or more likely anxiety disorder? Thanks again. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

As i said earlier your pain isn't related to cardiac problems but most likely is related to stress and anxiety.

However, you should exclude gastrointestinal causes of the pain by doing upper endoscopy and abdominal ultrasound. If these examinations will be normal than definitely your symptoms are stress related.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

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

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