Can acid reflux cause chest pain?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 26-year-old male. A few weeks ago, I noticed that my blood pressure was slightly elevated. For about two to three weeks, I monitored it daily at night and observed that approximately 90 percent of the time, my readings were within the range of 135 to 150/80 to 100 mmHg. Also, I noticed in this period, that sometimes I feel mild pain on the left side of my chest. Mostly, the pain is on the lower left side and sometimes on the upper center. The pain is radiating type, and I feel discomfort on the left side of my chest. Two days ago, I was in the office, and suddenly I felt a cold sweat running through my body along with vertigo. It continued for about four to five minutes, then things were normal. Searching for my symptoms on the internet made me even more scared, and I decided to go for a blood checkup.

I received my blood test reports today, and I found that my homocysteine, total cholesterol, and CRP (C-reactive protein), are slightly on the higher side. Vitamin D and folic acid are below normal. Please advise whether there is some serious underlying problem. What should I do? I am attaching my reports. My other problem has been chronic tension-type headaches, for the past six years, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), which was diagnosed eight years ago. Also, I do get a lot of acid reflux problems and take antacids frequently. Also, I would like to point out that, for the past one to two months, it has been very stressful for me. My sleep is also not proper, as I get only five to six hours of sleep on weekdays. I feel drowsy during the day.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have reviewed your reports (attachment removed to protect the patient's privacy). Your blood pressure is slightly elevated based on current international guidelines, which may be linked to persistent anxiety. Cardiac-related pain is typically experienced as central chest pain that worsens with exertion and improves with rest. The type of chest pain you are experiencing may be related to acid reflux. High cholesterol levels could be attributed to the consumption of junk food. Vitamin D deficiency is often due to insufficient exposure to sunlight. An isolated CRP (C-reactive protein) reading may not hold significant diagnostic value.

I recommend the following steps for improvement:

Manage stress effectively.
Walk for 30 minutes daily, which will also help boost your vitamin D levels through sun exposure.
Practice breathing exercises for 10 minutes, twice a day.
Engage in recreational activities.
Avoid fatty, fried, and spicy foods, as well as alcohol and tobacco.
For chronic tension headaches and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), yoga and the exercises mentioned above can be beneficial.

Regarding medications, I suggest the following, but please consult with your specialist before starting any new treatment:

Take capsules of Itopride and Rabeprazole once daily before breakfast for one month.
Take Cholecalciferol sachet once a week for eight weeks.
Take multivitamins daily for two months.
Take tablet Flunarizine daily for two months and tablet Paracetamol and Domperidone as needed for headaches.

After one month, we can reassess your progress and plan further treatment if necessary. The main contributors to your current condition appear to be anxiety, a sedentary lifestyle, and a diet high in junk food.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The exact cause of the episode of cold sweating and vertigo cannot be precisely determined, as it may be due to various factors. To rule out a cardiac cause, I suggest you undergo the following tests: TMT (treadmill test), echocardiogram, Holter monitoring, and an X-ray of the cervical spine to check for cervical spondylosis, which might be contributing to vertigo. Please consult a local doctor to address your concerns and discuss further testing.

Thanks and regards.