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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Left Side Rib Pain And Shortness Of Breath?

I am a white 52 year old female with some intense pain on my left side under my rib cage. I am experienceing shortness of breath and sharp pain in this area. I am in general good health. Overweight, Non-Smoker. No major health issues other than this pain that started about 2-3 days ago.
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Mon, 28 Sep 2015 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 29 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that your symptoms don't seem to be cardiac related.

Is this pain modulated by respiration or the body movements?

A comprehensive differential diagnosis between different disorders (like costochondritis, pleurits, pericarditis, a musculoskeletal pain, pneumonia,etc) which could mimic this clinical scenario should be done.

I would recommend consulting with your GP for a careful physical examination, a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound, a chest x ray study and some lab blood tests (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, kidney and liver function tests, blood electrolytes, etc.).

If all the above tests result normal, the main cause of this symptomatology would be a muskuloskeletal pain.

In such case, painkillers (like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc) for a short period of time would be helpful.

Hope to have been of help!

Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri

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What Causes Left Side Rib Pain And Shortness Of Breath?

Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that your symptoms don t seem to be cardiac related. Is this pain modulated by respiration or the body movements? A comprehensive differential diagnosis between different disorders (like costochondritis, pleurits, pericarditis, a musculoskeletal pain, pneumonia,etc) which could mimic this clinical scenario should be done. I would recommend consulting with your GP for a careful physical examination, a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound, a chest x ray study and some lab blood tests (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, kidney and liver function tests, blood electrolytes, etc.). If all the above tests result normal, the main cause of this symptomatology would be a muskuloskeletal pain. In such case, painkillers (like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc) for a short period of time would be helpful. Hope to have been of help! Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need! Best wishes, Dr. Iliri