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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 Sudden Sharp Pain On The Upper Chest?

My husband, age 62, was awakened at 3 am with sharp pain in upper right chest, above the breast. It hurts with each breath and with movement. He cannot take a deep breath without pain. He was fine when he went to bed last night. Do I need to take him to an emergency room? We are currently in Greece.
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Mon, 21 Sep 2015 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 22 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Yes, you should definitely take him to the hospital and get done ecg to rule out heart diseases.
Left sided sudden onset, midnight chest pain in old age (more than 60 years) patient is likely due to heart attack.
So don't wait, take him to the hospital and get done ecg and 2d echo.
If both are normal than possibility of either gastritis or musculoskeletal pain is more.
So give him proton pump inhibitors (antacid), painkiller and muscle relaxant drugs.
Don't worry, he will be alright.
But first rule out cardiac diseases.
Hope I have solved your query.
Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.
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What Causes Sudden Sharp Pain On The Upper Chest?

Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your situation and problem. Yes, you should definitely take him to the hospital and get done ecg to rule out heart diseases. Left sided sudden onset, midnight chest pain in old age (more than 60 years) patient is likely due to heart attack. So don t wait, take him to the hospital and get done ecg and 2d echo. If both are normal than possibility of either gastritis or musculoskeletal pain is more. So give him proton pump inhibitors (antacid), painkiller and muscle relaxant drugs. Don t worry, he will be alright. But first rule out cardiac diseases. Hope I have solved your query. Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.