What Could Be Causing My Pain I'm Scared Of Angina?

Posted on Sat, 29 Aug 2020

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

Sat, 29 Aug 2020 Answered on

Wed, 9 Jul 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I've had pain in my lower sternum and I I burp constantly. The pain is better at rest, worse when I stand, and worse when I move. I burp when I move and feel a pressure discomfort right in the lower sternum. It takes my breath away. It's been like this for 12 to 18 months.

I've had an echocardiogram, ct abdominal, ultra sound of gall bladder and liver, endoscopy and colonscopy and an ultra sound of my carotid arteries.

Everything came back normal, except my endoscopy showed that I had mild inflammation of the esophagus.

I had spinal surgery for kyphosis back in 2018, two years ago. My spinal fusion was posterior only and is from (T6-L2)

What could be causing my pain? I'm scared of angina? Could this be likely?

I had a stress test but I had to stop 3 minutes in due to panic attack. My heart rate hot to 153 and I felt symptoms; however, the leads didn't show any changes when i was having symptoms....

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please refer to the detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello

After reviewing the medical query raised by you I can understand your concern for your health and I would like to tell you that you need to relax as these symptoms doesn’t look like if angina. Things become more clear when your cardiac tests came normal.

Your symptoms are mainly the result of GERD or so called reflux disease, or due to musculoskeletal discomfort as you have bony abnormality also.

You should completely avoid junk and fried food items, drink plenty of water and take some antacids after discussing with your doctor.

I hope this will relieve your worries.

Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (1 hour later)

Does angina typically occur in the lower sternum and cause people to burp? Seems like a very odd place for it to occur, but, I have no clue if that's true or not.

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello again

Detailed Answer:
Angina has very typical character, patient complains of chest heaviness or tightness mainly located over the centre of the chest behind the sternum. This pain can radiate to left arm or shoulder or even upto jaw line. Some patients may also experience episodes of sweating along with pain and even breathing difficulties.

Your symptoms are not consistent with angina.

Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (10 hours later)

I also get mildly short of breath with walking in conjunction with my other symptoms

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello again

Detailed Answer:
See these symptoms could be because of your acid reflux or could also be due to issues in your spine. Vertebral column abnormality can cause pinching of nerves due to which person experiences radiating pains which are felt at a place other than the point of origin.

As your basic cardiac evaluation was unremarkable I would like to suggest you to kindly consult a neurosurgeon and try getting a MRI spine done.

Hope this will help.

Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana