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What Causes Chest Pain Which Aggravates On Pressing?
Question: I am having chest pain in one spot on the left inner part of my chest. If I touch it and push I can pinpoint it, and I get a sensation of pain in my left shoulder blade when touching it, along with increased pain in the spot. I would rate it about a 3-4 while sitting, and a 5-6 when pushed. There is also tightness in my shoulders that seems to wrap around to my chest. I'm also experiencing shortness of breath. This has been going on for almost a month, on and off. With the shortness of breath it almost feels as though something is caught in my throat. Like I swallowed a pill and it became lodged. I have problems with depression and anxiety as well. Could these be issues with Reflux or anxiety? I had chest pains without shortness of breath in july of last year and I went to the ER. They told me that my chest muscles were inflamed and that my heart looked good.
Brief Answer:
Possibily due to muscle spasm and reflux
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Mr XXXX
The pain which is experienced or aggravates while pressing is known as tenderness. Tightness of chest along with point tenderness(localized area of pain while pressing) is likely to be due to musculoskeletal spasm.
I would suggest the following reasons as probable explanation about your symptoms you are experiencing
1. Stress and anxiety: Stress and anxiety predispose to muscle spasm and localized tenderness due to sore muscle
2. Gastro-oesophageal reflux
Your young age and the symptoms as described by you do not indicate presence of Ischemic Heart disease. Even then its very important to rule out Ischemic Heart disease in any left side chest pain or discomfort, it requires non-invasive test to rule it out. I would suggest you to get ECG along with Stress ECG done. It would most likely be normal. This will be very reassuring and remove the anxiety.
I would suggest you the following which will definitely help
1. Hot water fomentation: Local application of hot water fomentation will relieve the pain and spasm
2. Regular eating habits: Consume small quantity of frequent meals. It will reduce sudden gastric distension and prevent reflux.
3. Avoid lying down/sleeping immediately after eating/drinking.
4. Avoid spicy oily food
5. Tablet Pantoprozole + Domperidone will be helpful for reflux.
6. Good sleep: Uninterrupted 7 to 8 hours of sleep is necessary for physical well being and freshness.
In case you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.
Take Care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak K K
MBBS,MS,MCH
Consultant Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your speedy response.
Do you think that the reflux and spasms would cause shortness of breath?
Brief Answer:
Reflux may cause shortness of breath
Detailed Answer:
hi
Greetings
Reflux can definitely cause shortness of breath. Trial of Pantoprozole and Domperidone will definitely help.
Wishing you happy and Healthy Life.
Take Care
Regards
Deepak
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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