Why do I feel mild pain in my chest and left hand?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am an 18-year-old boy. I have a fear I might have a cardiac arrest. I have mild chest pains and pain in my left hand. I have already done echo and TMT tests. Both came out negative. The doctors say that my heart is healthy. But I still fear I have some condition or something might happen. I would also like you to know that anxiety runs in my family, and I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. But I do not think it is anxiety this time. I also had an X-ray which came out absolutely normal. All my doctors say I have nothing.

Could you please help me?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Firstly, you need to understand that the chest has multiple structures besides the heart, like lungs, food pipes, muscles, bones, etc. So, each one can cause pain and often lead to pain in the hand as well. Secondly, considering your age, the possibility of heart issues is very low, especially because so many investigations are negative. So, it is practically impossible to have a heart attack. You should stop worrying.

Besides anxiety, you should look for other symptoms of other problems like gastritis and reflux disease. Do you have upper abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, burping, increase in pain on eating, sour water feeling in the throat, or chest burning? If yes, it further supports the diagnosis. In that case, you should avoid a fatty, oily, and high-calorie diet. Have some walks after having food instead of taking a rest. Have multiple small meals instead of heavy meals. Have regular sleep habits and avoid stress. Take lots of green leafy vegetables and fruits. You will need a tablet of Pantoprazole before breakfast once a day for a week. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and take the medicines with take the medicines with their consent.

Does this pain increase on applying pressure over the area? If yes, it could be costochondritis which is a musculoskeletal type of pain. Does this pain increase in deep breathing, coughing, etc.? If yes, it is a pain arising from the lining of the lungs. I assume you do not smoke or drink because it can certainly cause chest pain. So overall, it is unlikely to be a heart attack.

Hope this helps you.

Get back if you have more information to share or any doubts.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

No, it is a small dose and will not affect your body. You should request a local doctor for a five-day course of tablet Naproxen 250 mg once a day along with a combination tablet of Pantoprazole and Domperidone before breakfast once a day for five days.

All the best.