Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Tightness In Chest After Having Warm Or Hot Showers?
Question: I occasionally get tight-chest in a warm/hot shower. I have a high exercise tolerance and do not experience any similar symptoms when running/jogging. Could angina only be caused by a hot shower but by nothing else or is this likely just tight muscles or something? It only appears near the end of the shower and goes away as soon as I step out.
Brief Answer:
It doesn't seem to be ischemic angina.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern, and would like to explain that your clinical scenario doesn't seem to be related to any cardiac ischemic symptomatology.
A warm physical environment is not considered a triggering factor for generating anginal symptomatology.
Ischemic angina when started, doesn't resolve in that manner (immediately after getting out of the warm environment).
So relax! Your heart doesn't seem to be suffering from ischemic disease.
The most probable reason for your complains seems to be a vaso-vagal reaction (orthostatic intolerance), which may lead to hypotension, extreme weakness, general and chest discomfort, and in some cases even fainting and syncope.
I recommend you to consult your doctor (cardiologist or internist), for a comprehensive physical examination, and if the above suspicion is raised, a Head up Tilt Table testing would be helpful to rule in/out an orthostatic intolerance.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
It doesn't seem to be ischemic angina.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern, and would like to explain that your clinical scenario doesn't seem to be related to any cardiac ischemic symptomatology.
A warm physical environment is not considered a triggering factor for generating anginal symptomatology.
Ischemic angina when started, doesn't resolve in that manner (immediately after getting out of the warm environment).
So relax! Your heart doesn't seem to be suffering from ischemic disease.
The most probable reason for your complains seems to be a vaso-vagal reaction (orthostatic intolerance), which may lead to hypotension, extreme weakness, general and chest discomfort, and in some cases even fainting and syncope.
I recommend you to consult your doctor (cardiologist or internist), for a comprehensive physical examination, and if the above suspicion is raised, a Head up Tilt Table testing would be helpful to rule in/out an orthostatic intolerance.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! 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
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
