Chest pain that is associated with headache

Resolved question:

My chest had been hurting for the last couple days like a stabbing in my heart, my ribs just started hurting today and its the same pain and every time I take a deep breath it gives me a pounding headache. When I walk and then go sit down I get all shaky and my hands are freezing cold and I keep getting cold chills.

Submitted: 4 Days
Category: Community

Expert:  Dr. John Monheit replied 4 Days.

Hello, I understand your concerns. Chest pain is only a symptom but it is associated usually by physical activity and relieved by rest. Other symptoms that it is associated with are breathlessness, nausea, sweating or radiates to the arm. Usually this is associated with family history, coronary heart disease, high BP, diabetes, obesity, smoker, and high cholesterol. Depending on the above factors, we have to rule out its causes such as:

a)Acute myocardial infarction.

b)Angina brief, mild, triggered by physical activity.

c)Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)- gets worse on lying down.

d)Anxiety-associated with palpitations.

e)Muscle pull.

f)Chest wall pain – like costo chondritis.

g)Pleurisy- relieved by shallow breathes.

h)Shingles- affects the particular area and does not cross the midline.

i)Aortic dissection.

j)Pulmonary embolism.

k)Spontaneous pneumothorax.

Depending on the type of pain, its character, its associated symptoms, it can be relieved either by medications .I would suggest you to immediately get an ECG to rule out any abnormalities and consult your cardiologist for further treatment. Thank you.

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