Could my symptoms signal a heart problem with BMI 39?

Question

Hello doctor,

I'm a heavy drinker and smoke about 7 to 8 cigarettes a day. Over the past 10 days, I’ve been experiencing chest discomfort, including a burning sensation in the chest, nausea, an irregular heartbeat, and cold sweats, especially after smoking.

Today, I felt very uneasy, so I took an Aspirin 75 mg tablet, and I’m feeling a little better now. Should I be worried about heart disease? Do I need to see a doctor? For reference, I weigh 200 pounds, my height is 5 feet 7 inches, and my BMI is 39. Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It is great to hear from you.

What you should do first:

Get an ECG (electrocardiogram) soon to rule out any heart-related causes of your chest discomfort.
If possible, upload the ECG report here for a second opinion.

What does your symptom suggest

Your chest discomfort, burning sensation, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and cold sweats after smoking are concerning.
These could be GERD symptoms or gastritis, especially given your smoking and alcohol habits.
Relief after taking aspirin suggests it might not be cardiac, but it still requires medical attention.

Lifestyle and diet changes to start now:

Avoid fatty, oily, and spicy foods.
Eat small, frequent meals instead of large, heavy ones.
Don’t lie down after eating; take a light walk instead.
Stick to a regular sleep schedule and try to manage stress.
Include green leafy vegetables and fruits in your daily diet.
Start cutting down on smoking and alcohol, as both worsen gastritis and acid reflux.

Medications you may be prescribed (only under a doctor’s guidance):

Pantoprazole + Domperidone 40 mg or Esomeprazole + Domperidone, once daily before breakfast for 2 weeks.
If symptoms continue, Sucralfate + Oxetacaine syrup, two teaspoons, 3 times daily for 1 week, may help.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.