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What Causes Heaviness And Pain In The Chest With Breathlessness Despite An Active Lifestyle?
Question: hi!
I am tired most of the time. I have a heaviness on my chest, occasionally tight but not real painful.
I have been to a cardiologist for tests and had a breathing test at the hospital. My stress test was short because I am short of breath alot these days . I did very well on one of these 2 or 3 years ago. I am fairlly active and take vitamins, ect. no meds but aspirin.
I am tired most of the time. I have a heaviness on my chest, occasionally tight but not real painful.
I have been to a cardiologist for tests and had a breathing test at the hospital. My stress test was short because I am short of breath alot these days . I did very well on one of these 2 or 3 years ago. I am fairlly active and take vitamins, ect. no meds but aspirin.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I read carefully through your question and would explain that it is important to perform a comprehensive differential diagnosis between different causes that may lead to this clinical scenario:
metabolic disorder, vitamin B12 and or vitamin D deficiency, heart failure, etc.
As your pulmonary function tests and exercises cardiac stress test resulted normal, I would exclude any possible lung disorder or coronary artery disease.
Coming to this point, I would recommend performing further tests to investigate for possible causes:
- a cardiac ultrasound and NT-proBNP levels
- complete blood count
- blood electrolytes
- vitamin D and vitamin B12 plasma levels
- thyroid hormone levels
- cortisol plasma levels for adrenal gland dysfunction
- kidney and liver function tests.
A Head Up Tilt test may be needed if suspicion of orthostatic hypotension is raised.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I read carefully through your question and would explain that it is important to perform a comprehensive differential diagnosis between different causes that may lead to this clinical scenario:
metabolic disorder, vitamin B12 and or vitamin D deficiency, heart failure, etc.
As your pulmonary function tests and exercises cardiac stress test resulted normal, I would exclude any possible lung disorder or coronary artery disease.
Coming to this point, I would recommend performing further tests to investigate for possible causes:
- a cardiac ultrasound and NT-proBNP levels
- complete blood count
- blood electrolytes
- vitamin D and vitamin B12 plasma levels
- thyroid hormone levels
- cortisol plasma levels for adrenal gland dysfunction
- kidney and liver function tests.
A Head Up Tilt test may be needed if suspicion of orthostatic hypotension is raised.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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