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Chest pain related to heart trouble or other causes

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January 13th, 2009
For the past couple years I have been experiencing severe pains in my upper abdomen/lower chest between or beneath the ribs on my left side. These pains used to come about once a week or less and last only about 3 - 10 seconds. However, now it's become a daily occurance and happens more than once a day now. These pains are also staying longer that they did previously. It's made worse by inhaling, and generally moving at all. I tend to hold my breath and stay as still as possible during these pains. Is this a normal occurance? I mean everyone gets aches and pains from time to time. Am I ridiculous for worrying or should I see my local doctor? I didn't want to go if they were just going to tell me it was fine and send me on my way, I don't have time for it with my busy work schedule. Please let me know. Thank you.


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replied January 14th, 2009
Heart Disease and Heart Attack Answer A5368



Repetitive severe pain in the upper abdomen or lower chest might be related to several possible conditions.
The pain might originate from the stomach. Data about decreased or increased pain after eating might indicate stomach or duodenal chronic inflammation or an ulcer.


The pain in the chest might also be related to a heart condition. The problem is that if you are not at the doctor at the moment the pain occurs, the ECG might not show irregularities. Cardiac problems might originate from physical and/or emotional stress. But you should also consult with your gynecologist about the possible side-effects of the birth control pills you take, because they can cause an embolism in coronary blood vessels which can be fatal.
In the end, a pain in the area you described might originate from pleural inflammation. A physical examination and an X-ray might solve the diagnostic dilemma.


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