Is intermittent chest pain a cause for concern?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been experiencing daily chest pain intermittently for over a year. I underwent an EKG ( electrocardiogram) and cardiac laboratory work, and both of the results came back normal. Despite the doctor assuring me that my heart is healthy, it is difficult not to worry when the pain feels similar to a heart attack. If this pain were truly related to my heart, I believe I would have suffered serious consequences by now. I am looking for reassurance.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Thanks for trusting us with your health care.

I can understand your concern.

Chest pain has many causes and may occur due to heartburn, anxiety, or costochondritis. Not all chest pain is cardiac-related. Since you have undergone tests that yielded normal results, it suggests that your chest pain is likely due to another cause. Cardiac-related chest pain is often associated with symptoms like shortness of breath, palpitations, and others.

To determine the possible cause of your chest pain, it is important to consider any accompanying symptoms you may have, such as whether the pain increases during breathing or after eating certain types of food. I advise you to exercise and adopt a healthy diet in order to reduce your weight to at least 176 pounds within six to eight months or longer. This will contribute to improving your cardiovascular health. Currently, your body mass index (BMI) is 31, which increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

I hope this has helped you.

Thank you.