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What Causes Muscle Spasms In Left Chest Area?
Question: About 10 days ago I started having a periodic, once every hour or so twitch/spasm in my left chest. I can't really say if its on the outside, muscle or inside heart area. Since then the twicth has continued at about the same rate and has also been accompanied with some discomfort, mainly to the touch from just below the left breast around to under the left armpit. I am not experiencing classic heart attack symptoms like trouble breathing, crushing chest pain etc. and the symptoms dont seem to get worse or better with rest or activity. I am experiencing some significant anxiety, not sure if it is being brought on by other symptoms or if it is part of symptoms. Overall I am a healthy and of normal weight person, with slightly high blood pressure, a history of generalized anxiety, no family history of heart disease and I have been under a bit more stress than normal lately.
Brief Answer:
Anxiety is the most probable cause.
Detailed Answer:
I read the description of those symptoms carefully. I understand that you must be scared of the possibility of a heart condition.
I do not think that is the case though that description doesn't look typical for a heart issue at all, the fact that the symptoms are exacerbated by the touch confirms that as cardiac discomfort wouldn't be affected by superficial touch or pressure. Of course if the ides is really bothering you you could get checked by your doctor with EKG and some routine blood tests to exclude other possible causes (blood count, glucose, electrolytes, thyroid function).
In my opinion those symptoms are benign and related to anxiety. If they persist despite relaxation techniques then perhaps treatment with anti anxiety medication might be indicated. I don't know what tests have you had for the cause of the anxiety disorder and what medication have you tried if any.
Generally for short term treatment the chosen medication are benzodiazepines, while when it comes to long term treatment antidepressants are more suitable as they are equally effective against anxiety without the tolerance and dependance issues of the benzodiazepines.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Anxiety is the most probable cause.
Detailed Answer:
I read the description of those symptoms carefully. I understand that you must be scared of the possibility of a heart condition.
I do not think that is the case though that description doesn't look typical for a heart issue at all, the fact that the symptoms are exacerbated by the touch confirms that as cardiac discomfort wouldn't be affected by superficial touch or pressure. Of course if the ides is really bothering you you could get checked by your doctor with EKG and some routine blood tests to exclude other possible causes (blood count, glucose, electrolytes, thyroid function).
In my opinion those symptoms are benign and related to anxiety. If they persist despite relaxation techniques then perhaps treatment with anti anxiety medication might be indicated. I don't know what tests have you had for the cause of the anxiety disorder and what medication have you tried if any.
Generally for short term treatment the chosen medication are benzodiazepines, while when it comes to long term treatment antidepressants are more suitable as they are equally effective against anxiety without the tolerance and dependance issues of the benzodiazepines.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you doctor. I was on anxiety medication years ago but have been off them for about 10 years. Maybe its time to revisit taking them again. Also I noticed the discomfort becomes a bit worse when I bend over? What about the twitching/spasm it seems to be above the ribs and area of discomfort either coming from heart area or pectorals, could this be a palpitation or arythmia or is a muscle spasm more likely? I will follow up with primary care Dr tomorrow for an EKG, if for nothing else piece of mind and maybe discuss anxiety medication.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I noticed only now that your question was directly to me, I had thought it was a general question for a neurologist, thank you for your confidence.
Yes, a palpitations or arrhythmia can be the cause,so it's recommended an EKG and blood count, electrolytes and thyroid function as probable causes of arrhythmia (and anxiety too).
Some tachycardia and palpitations might be expected in the setting of anxiety as well, the aim is to exclude arrhythmia related to abnormal heart triggering pathways.
As I said it's unlikely and your past history makes anxiety the probable cause, but it's better to be safe than sorry and do these simple tests.
I am confident everything will work out for the best.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I noticed only now that your question was directly to me, I had thought it was a general question for a neurologist, thank you for your confidence.
Yes, a palpitations or arrhythmia can be the cause,so it's recommended an EKG and blood count, electrolytes and thyroid function as probable causes of arrhythmia (and anxiety too).
Some tachycardia and palpitations might be expected in the setting of anxiety as well, the aim is to exclude arrhythmia related to abnormal heart triggering pathways.
As I said it's unlikely and your past history makes anxiety the probable cause, but it's better to be safe than sorry and do these simple tests.
I am confident everything will work out for the best.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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