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What Causes Chest Pain And Numb Hands And Back After Quitting Smoking?
Question: I am 34 years old and working in Gulf. I used to smoke from last 10 years. I have left smoking from last 1 year completely. From last 5 months i am facing some chest pain in different locations in left side, getting tensed, getting numbness in hand and back.
My BP is always in range of 120/80 to 130/80. I have taken 10 ECG till date, X-Ray of heart, Blood test to check whether heart has problem. All are normal, no issues.
Recently i have done Stress TMT which, result was very normal. I am suffering from very low level GERD. I feel chest burn, some chest pain. I have consulated to 3 Cardiologist, all said nothing related to Heart. It's all anxiety and thinking. I am loosing my concentartion and family life due to this.
My chlolestrol levels are very normal, done two times within 4 months two different locations. All are normal. I am always having fear of having Heart Attack.
I have not done my ECHO, doctor said no need. My job culture is very relaxed and I am doing regular walking and Yoga.
Please help me to bring out of this.
My BP is always in range of 120/80 to 130/80. I have taken 10 ECG till date, X-Ray of heart, Blood test to check whether heart has problem. All are normal, no issues.
Recently i have done Stress TMT which, result was very normal. I am suffering from very low level GERD. I feel chest burn, some chest pain. I have consulated to 3 Cardiologist, all said nothing related to Heart. It's all anxiety and thinking. I am loosing my concentartion and family life due to this.
My chlolestrol levels are very normal, done two times within 4 months two different locations. All are normal. I am always having fear of having Heart Attack.
I have not done my ECHO, doctor said no need. My job culture is very relaxed and I am doing regular walking and Yoga.
Please help me to bring out of this.
Brief Answer:
Possibility of costochondritis and nerve pinching in neck to be evaluated
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in details.
Having a Blood press in the range of 12/ 80 mm Hg to 130/ 80 mm Hg and all 10 ECGs with TMT normal and blood cholesterols in the normal range indicate least possibility of a heart disease that can be causing you chest pain.
Other than the heart, there are other organs like ribs, lungs, pleura (covering of lungs) which can cause non specific chest pain. GERD is due to the upward movement of stomach acids and this causes burning pain and discomfort. Taking less spicy foods and small meals at regular times will solve this problem.
Since you have mentioned that X ray is also normal, it is unlikely that you have any serious problems in your chest region.
However there is a condition known as costochondritis which can cause unexplained chest pain at a particular region. This is a harmless condition and occurs due to mild inflammation of the cartilage in ribs in the front side of chest. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions. This pain often stays for weeks to months and in some patients there is not much relief with treatment.
Fear of heart attack should not be there in your mind as it is clear from your medical tests and investigation. For peace of mind you can get echocardiography done to know that your heart pumping, rhythmicity and valve functions are normal.
Numbness in the hands and back can also occur due to pinching of nerves in the neck region. This happens usually at an older age but can also be seen earlier.
It is good that you enjoy a relaxed environment at work and do yoga and walking every day.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Possibility of costochondritis and nerve pinching in neck to be evaluated
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in details.
Having a Blood press in the range of 12/ 80 mm Hg to 130/ 80 mm Hg and all 10 ECGs with TMT normal and blood cholesterols in the normal range indicate least possibility of a heart disease that can be causing you chest pain.
Other than the heart, there are other organs like ribs, lungs, pleura (covering of lungs) which can cause non specific chest pain. GERD is due to the upward movement of stomach acids and this causes burning pain and discomfort. Taking less spicy foods and small meals at regular times will solve this problem.
Since you have mentioned that X ray is also normal, it is unlikely that you have any serious problems in your chest region.
However there is a condition known as costochondritis which can cause unexplained chest pain at a particular region. This is a harmless condition and occurs due to mild inflammation of the cartilage in ribs in the front side of chest. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions. This pain often stays for weeks to months and in some patients there is not much relief with treatment.
Fear of heart attack should not be there in your mind as it is clear from your medical tests and investigation. For peace of mind you can get echocardiography done to know that your heart pumping, rhythmicity and valve functions are normal.
Numbness in the hands and back can also occur due to pinching of nerves in the neck region. This happens usually at an older age but can also be seen earlier.
It is good that you enjoy a relaxed environment at work and do yoga and walking every day.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doctor this is relaxed. Just one question is Echo neccesary or is only for my relaxation in mind. No doctor suggested me this. One of my friend died at age 34 due to heart attack. I am getting emotional due to this. One more worry was i used to smoke. But left smoking 1 year back and drinking 3 years back. I am XXXXXXX from XXXXXXX should i forget everything and start leaving normal life.
Brief Answer:
Echocardiography is not necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
It appears that you might have been thinking about the untimely death of your friend. Please be informed that some people have birth related heart problems and your friend might have had a condition which caused heart attack at an early age.
After doing tests and getting normal reports, it is certain that there is no risk of heart attack as seen from the results. Doing echocardiography is not necessary and is only for your mental relaxation. Please build your confidence and think that you are in good health.
Its good to know that you have stopped drinking and smoking. This will protect you from early heart diseases.
Emotions can cause a lot of problems in your life and work and I think your concentration at work is affected due to thinking about your health. Please forget everything and continue with your normal way of living.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Echocardiography is not necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
It appears that you might have been thinking about the untimely death of your friend. Please be informed that some people have birth related heart problems and your friend might have had a condition which caused heart attack at an early age.
After doing tests and getting normal reports, it is certain that there is no risk of heart attack as seen from the results. Doing echocardiography is not necessary and is only for your mental relaxation. Please build your confidence and think that you are in good health.
Its good to know that you have stopped drinking and smoking. This will protect you from early heart diseases.
Emotions can cause a lot of problems in your life and work and I think your concentration at work is affected due to thinking about your health. Please forget everything and continue with your normal way of living.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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