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What Causes Pain In Upper Left Chest And Shortness Of Breath?
Posted on
Fri, 5 Feb 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 5 Feb 2016
Answered on
Mon, 4 Apr 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I have a shortness of breath, my blood oxygen concentration is always 95% or below. Yesterday it was 89,90 & 91 for at least an hour. I also have constant mild pain in my left upper chest. I went to the ER about 3 months ago and had a full workup including stress test and was given a clean XXXXXXX of health. This has gotten worse over a year or more. I also have heart beat skips regularly and my energy level is very low.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that facing your slightly decreased arterial blood oxygen saturation, as it has been concluded you have a healthy heart, it is important first to check your pulmonary function and the overall acid-base balance.
For that purpose I recommend performing:
- a pulmonary function test,
- chest X ray study,
- arterial blood gas analysis
If the above tests result OK, then probably your chronic chest pain may be a reason for decreased ventilation and subsequent blood oxygen saturations.
Your decreased energy level, and those intermittent ectopic heat beats may be an expression of excessive anxiety.
My opinion about your actual health condition is first to clearly exclude any organic reason of chest pain (backbone degenerative disorder, shingles infection, musculoskeletal pain, etc.).
After that an appropriate management scheme for fibromyalgia would be advisable.
You need to discuss with your doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that facing your slightly decreased arterial blood oxygen saturation, as it has been concluded you have a healthy heart, it is important first to check your pulmonary function and the overall acid-base balance.
For that purpose I recommend performing:
- a pulmonary function test,
- chest X ray study,
- arterial blood gas analysis
If the above tests result OK, then probably your chronic chest pain may be a reason for decreased ventilation and subsequent blood oxygen saturations.
Your decreased energy level, and those intermittent ectopic heat beats may be an expression of excessive anxiety.
My opinion about your actual health condition is first to clearly exclude any organic reason of chest pain (backbone degenerative disorder, shingles infection, musculoskeletal pain, etc.).
After that an appropriate management scheme for fibromyalgia would be advisable.
You need to discuss with your doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
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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