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Why Did I Have Continuous Sharp Chest Pain That Radiated To My Neck, Back, And Arms When Blood Work Chest X-ray And EKG Were Normal?
Posted on
Fri, 20 Jul 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 20 Jul 2018
Answered on
Thu, 17 Nov 2022
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello, I had some continuous sharp chest pain that radiated to my neck, back, and arms last night so I went to the ER and my EKG, bloodwork, and chest x-ray were normal. I was not having chest pain at the time of the EKG. I take propranolol so do you think that could cover up the symptoms of a heart attack and it wouldn't show up in the tests? Like maybe those test results would have been abnormal but propranolol made it seem like they were normal. Also, I take abilify and it said online that abilify can cause a heart attack so do you think I will have a heart attack?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Propranolol does not cover the symptoms of a heart attack.
From the other hand, if the chest pain had been related to the heart, some changes would be detected in the resting ECG and blood lab tests (cardiac enzymes), although you were not feeling chest pain during the tests.
It is true that Abilify can lead to angina, but some changes would have been detected in your tests, if this was your case.
Anyway, I recommend performing an exercise cardiac stress test in order to be sure that everything is OK with your heart.
I would also recommend performing further tests to exclude other possible causes of chest pain:
- A cervical spine X-ray study for possible chronic degeneration
- A fibro gastroscopy for gastritis or gastro-esophageal reflux, esophageal spasms, etc.
- Inflammation tests (PCR, ESR) and muscle enzymes (LDH, CPK) to exclude possible musculoskeletal pain.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope to have been helpful! I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need! Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Propranolol does not cover the symptoms of a heart attack.
From the other hand, if the chest pain had been related to the heart, some changes would be detected in the resting ECG and blood lab tests (cardiac enzymes), although you were not feeling chest pain during the tests.
It is true that Abilify can lead to angina, but some changes would have been detected in your tests, if this was your case.
Anyway, I recommend performing an exercise cardiac stress test in order to be sure that everything is OK with your heart.
I would also recommend performing further tests to exclude other possible causes of chest pain:
- A cervical spine X-ray study for possible chronic degeneration
- A fibro gastroscopy for gastritis or gastro-esophageal reflux, esophageal spasms, etc.
- Inflammation tests (PCR, ESR) and muscle enzymes (LDH, CPK) to exclude possible musculoskeletal pain.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope to have been helpful! I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need! Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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