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What Causes Chest Pain After Quitting Smoking?
Question: Hello,
I am 29 years old and was a heavy hookah smoker for 2 years and about a month ago I started to get chest pain after sessions. The first night I felt this discomfort It felt like a mild sensation so I stopped and made nothing of it and the discomfort disappeared through the night. The day after I proceeded to prepare my hookah and go through my normal smoking routine, but the minute I tried turning it up my chest lid up and got really tight. I stopped right away as the pain started to get worse. Now this time the pain and discomfort did not go away. I started to get worried and went to the doctor where I had X-rays and my lungs checked out (everything was cleared by the doctor) like I said it has been a full month since I started to feel this discomfort and I will be honest, because of the dependance I have tried it 3 times during this month, the last time being a week ago. It has been full week since I have smoked but I still have lingering mild pain and discomfort and I would like to know if this is all part of the withdraw symptoms and how long would I feel this discomfort for. I have been trying to keep my self busy to help myself quit and so far I feel like I am doing a good job considering how addicted I used to be (2 hookahs per day & an entire day on the weekends). Thank you so much for your input.
I am 29 years old and was a heavy hookah smoker for 2 years and about a month ago I started to get chest pain after sessions. The first night I felt this discomfort It felt like a mild sensation so I stopped and made nothing of it and the discomfort disappeared through the night. The day after I proceeded to prepare my hookah and go through my normal smoking routine, but the minute I tried turning it up my chest lid up and got really tight. I stopped right away as the pain started to get worse. Now this time the pain and discomfort did not go away. I started to get worried and went to the doctor where I had X-rays and my lungs checked out (everything was cleared by the doctor) like I said it has been a full month since I started to feel this discomfort and I will be honest, because of the dependance I have tried it 3 times during this month, the last time being a week ago. It has been full week since I have smoked but I still have lingering mild pain and discomfort and I would like to know if this is all part of the withdraw symptoms and how long would I feel this discomfort for. I have been trying to keep my self busy to help myself quit and so far I feel like I am doing a good job considering how addicted I used to be (2 hookahs per day & an entire day on the weekends). Thank you so much for your input.
Brief Answer:
Cardiac evaluation?
Detailed Answer:
Hi there
I am Dr Mittal
I have read your query and will try to explain it to you.
The fact remains that smoke, whether hookah or cigarette, contains a large number of compounds. And these have a variety of effects, almost all deleterious. Two years of smoking heavily is a long time.
The fact remains that within 2 years, few physicians would expect changes in lungs. Yet sometimes some signs occur. And therefore your doctor may have gone ahead with your xrays.
However the constrictive type of pain you are describing may be due to causes more than the chest. The cardiac issues need to be always ruled out when considering chest pain and tightness.
Therefore I suggest you get a cardiac evaluation as well.
The fact remains that the smoking causes constriction of the vessels of blood. In effect, the vessels become smaller and the blood rushes faster through them. Therefore the supply of oxygen may get reduced. Also the smoke makes the heart go faster. Therefore it needs more oxygen.
The total effect is a large imbalance.
I dont think this is withdrawal. As you said, the effect happens when you start to smoke. Besides, medically, withdrawal is considered as full stoppage from the activity.
Hope that information helps
Dr Mittal
Cardiac evaluation?
Detailed Answer:
Hi there
I am Dr Mittal
I have read your query and will try to explain it to you.
The fact remains that smoke, whether hookah or cigarette, contains a large number of compounds. And these have a variety of effects, almost all deleterious. Two years of smoking heavily is a long time.
The fact remains that within 2 years, few physicians would expect changes in lungs. Yet sometimes some signs occur. And therefore your doctor may have gone ahead with your xrays.
However the constrictive type of pain you are describing may be due to causes more than the chest. The cardiac issues need to be always ruled out when considering chest pain and tightness.
Therefore I suggest you get a cardiac evaluation as well.
The fact remains that the smoking causes constriction of the vessels of blood. In effect, the vessels become smaller and the blood rushes faster through them. Therefore the supply of oxygen may get reduced. Also the smoke makes the heart go faster. Therefore it needs more oxygen.
The total effect is a large imbalance.
I dont think this is withdrawal. As you said, the effect happens when you start to smoke. Besides, medically, withdrawal is considered as full stoppage from the activity.
Hope that information helps
Dr Mittal
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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