Medical Question-Chest pain issues

[Lauree]

For anyone with a medical background, I have a question. Can a person have a heart problem, but not a problem with blood pressure? I'm asking b/c I have been having some chest pain in combination with arm pain/numbness. About a month ago, we had a wellness check at work. My cholesterol was elevated and they suggested I see a doctor for further diagnosis. My blood pressure is always normal. So- I am wondering if I'm experiencing angina. But is that possible with normal blood pressure?

Sorry this was rambling/long. Thanks for any information.

 

[yeartolate]

For anyone with a medical background, I have a question. Can a person have a heart problem, but not a problem with blood pressure? I'm asking b/c I have been having some chest pain in combination with arm pain/numbness. About a month ago, we had a wellness check at work. My cholesterol was elevated and they suggested I see a doctor for further diagnosis. My blood pressure is always normal. So- I am wondering if I'm experiencing angina. But is that possible with normal blood pressure?

Sorry this was rambling/long. Thanks for any information.

A definitive yes.


Call your doctor first thing in the morning. (do not let it go until after the hoidays, please)

The pain particularly when associated with left arm pain or jaw pain is very typical.

It can clearly be other things, but you need to play it very safe.

If the pain returns tonight and will not ease up, call your MD or have someone drive you to an ER.

 

[Poohlovr]

Another definite "yes". I've taken care of people actively having an MI and thier BP was fine.

This may be nothing. We see people all of the time with chest pain, do a full cardiac and GI work-up and can find no reason for it.

It could be GI. Some GI problems (esp gallbladder) cause chest pains. And, of course, it could be cardiac.

Either way, it's something you need to have checked out.

I second the recommendation to call your Dr and let him/her know what's going on.

 

[mfd25wife]

Definitely, yes. My arteries spasm, which causes me to have chest pains at times. I have nitro to take just in case it doesn't get better after laying down a while. It feels like a heart attack according to the cardiologist so I have to take it just in case sometimes.

 

[lisadr]

Not a doctor or any other type of medical professional-soooo...

My first bit of advice advice would also be to go see a doctor.

but it could also be panic/anxiety attacks-possibly the holidays or something else could be catching up with you. Are you stressed more than usual? If you stop and think about it-is it possible?

Again, I am not saying that so you think it's ok to not see a doctor-but when you're there and they do all the tests and if everything comes back fine-then you might want to mention any extra stress you might be having-this way if you are suffering from anxiety/panic attacks-maybe the docs can take a look in that direction.

Good luck and take care of yourself!

 

[CajunDixie]

You should go get checked out now...don't drive and don't put it off.
If you're not allergic to aspirin take 4 baby aspirin (324mg). This doesn't ease the pain but does somewhat thin your blood and cause your heart a little less stress to move your blood through your body.

As for your BP being normal...did you check it now? Just because it's always been normal doesn't mean there can't be a first time for it to be elevated.

It's strange how when a man has the same symptoms they call for an ambulance or get to the ER right away. But for some reason women tend to downplay their symptoms and put off getting examined.....causing further problems and even death. You'd be surprised how much can be done for you in a 10 minute ambulance ride. Vitals taken, heart monitor applied, 12-lead taken, O2 applied, IV started, blood draws, aspirin administered, nitro administered, morphine administered......and if you go into cardiac arrest those monitors are a shocking lifesaver!!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Naturally. Get yourself to a doctor. Go to an ER if you experience the symptoms again.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Sure. You can have all kinds of trouble that doesn't present with a high or low bp.

But that's all I can tell you. The best cardiologist in the world couldn't tell you anything about yourself online. You really need to call your doc....and he'll tell you to go to the ER. That's what people who report chest pain are told to do.

Hope it all turns out to be nothing.

 

[quasar4legs]

If you have this pain now please go straight to the doctor of emergency department. This needs immediate attention.

Big hugs
Trish

 

[LisaR]

My Dad had 3 heart attacks and multiple bypass surgeries. The doctors always joked that he should bottle up his blood pressure and sell it because his was ALWAYS normal.

 

[AmazingGrace]

I have similar symptoms and one time I went to get checked, it turned out to be a herniated disc in my upper back. I have a clotting disorder, so i thought I was throwing a clot. Turns out, that's where I have a pinched nerve. The important thing is, even though it was just that, the ER folks kept telling me over and over that I did the right thing coming in and it's defintely better to be safe than sorry. So don't hesitate if you are worried. Get off this board and go get checked. By the way, I just prayed for you as I wrote this post. I'm also sending lots of hugs!!! Now quit reading this and go get checked!!!

 

[Disney Doll]

What you are describing could be a myriad of things, but what they will rule out first is a cardiac issue, as they should.

Your symptoms are classic female heart attAck symptoms. There is often a difference between how males and females "present" with a heart attack.

You need to go to the doctor today. If you are having these symptoms right now, then go to the Emergency Room.

Heart Disease is the #1 killer of women, because we do not have the "crushing chest pain" that men experience. Women's symptoms are often mistaken for GI issues, a pinched nerve and other things.

DOCTOR...TODAY...NOW!

 

[chris1gill]

You may have already had a slight heart attack, you should get to the Emergency Room as quickly as possible IMHO....

 

[luvtogo12]

I agree, you need to go to the Emergency Room ASAP.
It may be nothing but better safe than sorry.
Please keep us posted.

 

[GeorgeG]

Another vote for the emergency room here!

Chest pain... arm pain and numbness...

Those are THE classic signs of a heart attack. It may not be one, but you need to let a doctor check it out right away!

 

[Lauree]

Thanks for the responses. I have scheduled a DR appointment. These symptoms have been "coming and going" for the last few weeks. I will go to the emergency room if I have anymore intense pain.

I've done a lot of reading on WebMD and the Mayo Clinic sites. If it is a cardiac issue, I think I've experienced angina.

Somone mentioned gallbladder, I had that surgery after my first baby. This pain is very different from that.

Someone mentioned stress from holidays. I don't think that's been an issue. I haven't felt more stressed than any other year.

Again-thanks for the responses. I've been confused b/c of the blood pressure fact.

 

[pepperw23]

Mention the gallbladder thing to your Dr. I had mine removed when I was 19 and if I eat wrong (fat, grease, etc...) I get crushing (what feels like) chest pains. It is severe heartburn. I however have been examined by my Dr. to come to that conclusion, as you should too.

 

[phorsenuf]

Thanks for the responses. I have scheduled a DR appointment. These symptoms have been "coming and going" for the last few weeks. I will go to the emergency room if I have anymore intense pain.

I've done a lot of reading on WebMD and the Mayo Clinic sites. If it is a cardiac issue, I think I've experienced angina.

Somone mentioned gallbladder, I had that surgery after my first baby. This pain is very different from that.

Someone mentioned stress from holidays. I don't think that's been an issue. I haven't felt more stressed than any other year.

Again-thanks for the responses. I've been confused b/c of the blood pressure fact.

Please go to the ER. I had a heart attack in June (at age 44). It started in my shoulder, into my arm and then into my chest. I tried to brush it off too but thankfully I wised up and went to the ER. My BP was fine as was my EKG, go figure. It was through blood work 8 hours later that they determined it. I had symptoms for weeks leading up to it that I easily explained off. Looking back they were warning signs.

Please don't wait any longer, just go.

 

[stm61]

I could have written the original post. I had the same pain, starting center chest, moving down left arm and up into jaw area. Never had shortness of breath or anything like that and movement seemed to make it better. Also, always started while I was sitting, never when I was up and moving or exercising. Many cardiac tests later, they decided it was reflux! The cardiologist also said women don't have the classic signs men do, they tend to have more back pain and flu-like symptoms during heart attacks. Go get checked out, you'll at least know what it's not and it might save your life if it is cardiac related.

 

[luvtogo12]

Please go to the ER. I had a heart attack in June (at age 44). It started in my shoulder, into my arm and then into my chest. I tried to brush it off too but thankfully I wised up and went to the ER. My BP was fine as was my EKG, go figure. It was through blood work 8 hours later that they determined it. I had symptoms for weeks leading up to it that I easily explained off. Looking back they were warning signs.

Please don't wait any longer, just go.

This is what happend to DH at the same age. His shoulder hurt for weeks but he swore he pulled a muscle. Chest hurt but he said it was heart burn. Shortness of breath, he said was due to being "out of shape". You get the picture. He finally asked to go to the ER (when the pain got too intense) where his EKG showed he was having a heart attack. At first they were not sure if they could do anything since the symptoms had been going on for so long. They had to call in an "intervention" Dr. to determine if surgery was worth the risks. At this point they decided to try and he was rushed into surgery. Two years later he is doing fine. However, his BP was normal, always has been.

OP, I really hope you get checked out soon, just to be on the safe side. Please keep us posted.