What causes back pain that radiates to the arm and chest?

Question

Hi doctor,

In recent days, I have been experiencing upper back pain, at times radiating to my left arm and chest. I have indicated the precise location of the pain in the attached image, which is highlighted in yellow. I have also noticed elevated blood pressure readings at home, with a recent measurement of 145/88 mmHg. My cholesterol levels are high, with total cholesterol at 265 mg/dL, LDL at 148 mg/dL, and triglycerides at 280 mg/dL. I underwent a health checkup three months back, which included an echo, a TMT, and an ECG, all of which yielded negative results. What could be the reason for my back pain?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have reviewed the information you provided.

Upper back pain radiating to the left arm and chest can have various causes, including muscle pain, stress, high blood pressure, or acidity. I suggest you get an ECG (electrocardiogram) to rule out any potential heart-related issues. If the ECG results are normal, you may consider trying analgesics for pain relief.

I hope this advice is helpful.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You can go ahead and have the ECG done tomorrow. The results of an echo and a TMT(treadmill test) are indicative of your heart's condition at the time of the test. Their validity for future reference is limited. If you continue to experience symptoms, it might be necessary to repeat these tests.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.