What Causes Severe Chest Pain That Radiates To The Back Of Neck?

Posted on Thu, 26 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 26 May 2016 Answered on

Tue, 28 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : So unbelievably frustrated and now scared.
Continuous upper chest pain sometimes more severe, can radiate to back and more recently have been feeling in my neck.
Was in ED yesterday....full bloods and ECG done and all clear.
Have had the following tests and all have shown normal results:
Upper abdomen ultrasound
HIDA nuclear scan
Endoscopy

I am beyong frustrated. It is affecting my work and my life.
Am seeing an irodoligist tomorrow.
I have had helicobacter and slight gastritis about 10 years ago but the recent endoscopy showed absolutely nothing wrong.
Please help. Or advise if any tests.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

What you are experiencing most probably is related to Gastro esophageal reflux disease or GERD (stomach acid reflux). This diagnosis is associated with normal ecg, abdominal echo and upper endoscopy.

However, if you were my patient I would recommend to do the following examinations:
- Cardiac echo
- Stress test
- Abdominal ultrasound.
- Respiratory tests

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (10 minutes later)

I have had extensive cardiac testing over the years because i was concerned about ectopic beats. All trsts were normal, heart structually normal and ectooic beats benign.
Did you mean that it could still be GERD even though all the tests ive had are normal?
Thank you for explaining and understanding!

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

It's typical for patients with GERD to have all the mentioned test normal. As long as they were normal you shouldn't worry about your symptoms.

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 minute later)

Thank you for your time.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
You are mostly welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hi back
You are mostly welcome!
If you are satisfied with my answer please close this query and rate it to maximum.
Dr. Shehu

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar