HomeAnswersCardiologysevere muscle crampsI get a cramp-like feeling in my chest. Why?

Why do I get occasional muscle cramp type feeling in the chest?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At April 25, 2016
Reviewed AtJune 1, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Since last two to three years I have high blood pressure ranging 145/95 mmHg. This was mainly due to less physical activity and anxiety. I had medicine Telma 40, Telmaxx 25 etc., only one at a time. But, BP and anxiety did not get controlled. Again doctor advised me for Cilacar 5 mg twice or 10 mg once. I found this effective in comparison to earlier medicine. But, since last two months I was not feeling comfort with my left chest. It is not chest pain, but occasional muscle cramp type feeling. ECG was taken that showed left atrial enlargement. Cardiac blood test taken including lipid profile found to be fine. Doctor prescribed me Cilacar and Ecosprin-AV 150 along with vitamins. Now, again since last three days I am not feeling well. Same muscle cramp like feeling in chest (occasionally). I have no issues with my BP. Also, occasional pain in left hand. Again I have taken blood test for cardiac and other. Reports attached for your reference. Kindly advise me some best medicine and if anything emergency.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have thoroughly gone through your case and reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity) and can well understand your genuine health concerns.

The Probable causes

Your lipid profile is all fine and there is no risk to cardiac muscles and blood vessels of the heart due to this cholesterol and its counterparts. Index is safe according to the blood work. Your high-sensitivity C-reactive protein is above normal and falls in the high risk group for cardiac blood vessel issues like coronary artery syndrome. But, this test is not that specific. We usually do repeated tests for C-reactive proteins and compare all of them separated apart with considerable time. If there are no other risk factors for heart disease and there are no signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease then we assume this raised result levels to be from some non-cardiac cause. In such a case I preferably suggest you to go for exercise stress test and if this indicates further investigations then proceed with angiography for cardiac evaluation and to see if there is some issue related to the coronary arteries. Perhaps you mean that there was left atrial enlargement. It can be due to uncontrolled hypertension and you need to take medications on time. Your doctor did well by adding Aspirin to the regimen as it reduces the risk for blood clot formation inside the enlarged chamber of heart. We have to keep your blood pressure in limits actually. And if that is fine, then no medications needed until unless proven otherwise after cardiac monitoring with time and some advanced tests as discussed below.

Investigations to be done

Do echocardiography, exercise tolerance test and angiography.

Treatment plan

Treatment plan can be decided based on further tests done as advised above.

Regarding follow up

Revert back with the investigation reports to a cardiologist online.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif
Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Cardiology

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