What Causes Chest Pain Along With Heaviness In Arm And Back Pain?

Posted on Wed, 3 Dec 2014

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

Wed, 3 Dec 2014 Answered on

Mon, 22 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. For the past few weeks I have been experiencing slight chest pain, but the biggest symptoms i've been having are constant heaviness in the arms, aching in the back, extreme aching under the armpits, shortness of breath with exertion, tightness taking a deep breath, extreme anxiety, and my stomach feels in shambles. My stomach constantly feels a bit nauseous, nothing crazy but it feels flimsy and nauseous. I have taken a pregnancy test and I am not pregnant. I have been waking up in the middle of the night feeling like I am going to die. I know it sounds depressing, but I can't help but feel as if my body is trying to tell me something. Could my body be warning me of a heart attack that is coming? I'm definitely overweight. I have had a chest and lung X-ray and everything came back fine. My blood pressure was like 134/83 I believe. The ekg was fine but my heart rate was a bit fast. I understand maybe my rhythm in my heart is fine. But could it possibly be blockage in my arteries? I don't want to wait for something to happen.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Anxiety disorder, excluded first heart problems...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX

I read your query very carefully and would like to say that your symptoms are more typical for anxiety than for heart disorders.

However if you were my patient I would suggest to do the following examinations in order to definitely exclude heart problems ( this will help you to relieve anxiety):
- Cardiac ECHO
- Stress test
- Holter monitoring

Hope this was of help.
Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (7 hours later)

Hi! I went to the hospital and that is what my Dr recommended as well. Will any of these tests show blockage in the arteries ?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Basic tests to evaluate current health situation first..

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX

Thank you for your follow up queries.

These are basic tests to run to evaluate your current health situation. If blockage will be suspected, further tests would be advised according to the findings.

Hope it helped!
Dr.Benard

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (15 hours later)

I went to the ER and they did a chest x ray (all good), a cat scan of my chest (all normal), blood tests, and the blood test that checks for that protein that is in your blood stream that shouldn't be when your heart is damaged it came back negative. Is there any possible chance with all of those tests that I could have mitral valve prolapse? The one thing that stands out to me about that issue is orthopnea, and palpitations, as well as chest pain but the chest pain also increases with movement. Sorry, this really is my last question LOL. Thanks for your detailed responses. :)

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow my suggestion run echo&stress test..

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

As I mentioned earlier doing the above examinations (especially stress test cardiac echo) will exclude cardiac problems.

ECHO will evidence mitral valve prolaps and stress test will exclude heart attack.

If you have only mitral valve prolaps than you have nothing to worry about.

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (7 hours later)

wow really? but would either of those tests have shown it ?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes,they will help to rule out heart attack.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Yes, these tests (echocardiogram and stress test) will exclude heart attack.

That's why I have advised to run them.

Dr.Benard

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

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

Okay thank you :)

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Wish you health!

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

It's nice to know that you find my advice somehow helpful.

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

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