Concerned about persistent dull ache in left chest (3-4 months)

By SteveH Saturday, June 14, 2008

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Hi. I've scoured the Web for information that might help me self-diagnose, but haven't found anyone describing quite what I'm experiencing. I'm not prone to anxiety, but I have had an exceptionally stressful year at work - combined with too little sleep. Some nights I have had as few as 3-4 hours of sleep, but for the most part I get 6-7 hours of sleep. My heart region started aching during periods of acute stress about 4 months ago. It is never intense. It's just a dull, persistent light ache. I am a runner, and there are times when running vigorously increases the pain ever so slightly. But it's never anything approaching acute. I have no trouble breathing. It just persists as a dull discomfort. I took antacids, but that had no effect. It has always been fairly localized on the left side in the area of my heart. It does not radiate to arms, shoulders.

My father - who is 72 and very healthy lifestyle - had a bypass operation this past year due to calcification from persistent flow turbulence due a defective valve. So I suppose there is some genetic predisposition to heart disease. But I'm 42, and I'm not experiencing anything acute. It's just that the dull ache doesn't ever fully dissipate. Should I get it checked out? Or should I just relax and work less hard? Anything for an excuse :-). Advice appreciated. Regards,

Comments (24) | Add comment

Conrad

6/16/08 1:05am

I've had the same symptoms for the past year or so. Had an EKG and stress test with a heart echo. Found out I have 'right bundle branch block' but the cardiologist said it was nothing serious, and my heart looks fine. Antacids don't help and pain doesn't increase with activity---nor does it seem to favor certain foods or a time of day. It just comes and goes over several weeks but is very persistant and annoying. Not muscle related, or in the lungs---it's a little scary since it's always right where I think my heart is supposed to be. Still can't figure out what it is, but if I was having a heart attack I don't think it would have lasted a year! :P Let me know if you figure it out.

Anonymous

7/14/08 9:44pm

Conrad,

Sounds very similar. Will keep you informed as I go. Thanks for the reply. -Steve

Anonymous

6/ 7/10 11:56pm

{ have right branch bundle block Heart perfect otherwise. Have this sore heart experience for a week at a time infrequently usually during seasons of stress.

Nancy

4/28/12 7:44pm

Hey I noticed your post was 2008.. did you ever find out what it was? I am experiencing the same problem, I am 34, pretty relaxed person, I do have exams coming up which ironically will get me into uni to study cardiology and I guess I am stressing about getting the marks, but at times when I feel relaxed (like now) I still experience that dull pain where my heart is...

tomissan

6/17/08 1:00am

Yes, Absolutely go and get checked out.

I just returned from the hospital after a blood, urine and chest xray. I'm going back for the results and Doctors input & recommendation in a short while.

I had, for quite some time the pain you describe. From all the research I've done it says"heart muscles" associtated with heart disease.

Do you have high blood pressure? Do you ever check.

Don't wait until it's too late. In the meantime, baby aspirin every morning to expand the arteries and allow more blood/oxygen to flow...

Anonymous

7/14/08 9:46pm

I actually have LOW blood pressure. Thanks.

Anonymous

7/ 7/08 7:13pm

Although I am a female and I understand that our symptoms can be different from yours, I too have had 'just a dull-kinda ache-kinda tight feeling, but nothing THAT noticeable' feeling in my chest over the last several months. The times that I would seem to notice it would be walking up an incline, cold weather, stairs, stressful situations. Not that big a deal-I thought. No radiation into my arms, neck....just strictly located mid chest. WELL! My boss MADE me get checked out almost 2 months ago and now I find myself recovering from double bypass surgery! I cannot stress to you the feeling of complete shock-me?!-bypass surgery?! Never would I have thought that lurking in my chest were 2 blockages of 85 and 60 percent in the left main....So please, for your own sake, get checked out. I cannot come and physically remove you and take you to ER as my boss did, but I can urge you to get checked-it is not anything you want to ignore! Good Luck!

Anonymous

7/14/08 1:31pm

How old are you? I have the same pain and it just comes and goes. I am going to be 40 and I'm in decent shape. It does occasionally come on w/exersize and stress. Sometimes it just comes and goes and feels like a dull pain near my heart.

Anonymous

7/14/08 9:48pm

Yikes. Now THAT sort of report is enough to make anyone have a heart attack.

Could I have that sort of blockage if I'm a lifelong athlete? I just ran up a 2400 foot climb yesterday. No additional pain.

Will check it out.

Thanks.

Anonymous

7/27/08 1:51am

May I ask how old you are? The pain that I have seems to be on the left side of my chest right under my breast. is that where yours was or somewhere else. Thanks in advance for the info. P.S I'm 39

Anonymous

7/27/08 10:25pm

I am 52 but most that know/meet me think I am quite a bit younger :) I also am in decent shape. Do you have high blood pressure? Have you ever noticed the 'feeling' in the cold of winter when exerting yourself a bit? Have you ever had a stress test?

I had a stress test some years ago that came back ok. Now of course, it did not.

Please get yourself tested...at least if nothing else, you would have a baseline to compare to in the years to come...

Let me know how you do...I do care to know! Good luck

Anonymous

7/27/08 10:29pm

Yikes is right! Lucky for me, we found the blockages BEFORE I had a damaging heart attack, thank goodness. Although I am not a doctor, from what I have heard from the doctors, YES, even a lifelong athlete can-as in my own doctor's practice (he, by the way is a marathon runner).

Please do get checked out and let me know what they find...hopefully, nothing!

Anonymous

7/27/08 10:38pm

I am 52, but a VERY young 52 :) My discomfort was right between my breasts, pretty much in the center of my chest. Your heart and mine may be situated differently in our chests so that the pain could be in a different area. I can only urge you to get checked, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

After I posted the initial note, I found out that the neice of a good friend of mine just had a heart attack........SHE IS 36, A DOCTOR'S ASSISTANT, GREAT SHAPE, ATHLETIC, NON-SMOKING......what more can I say?

EVERYONE that knows ME was SHOCKED that this could happen to me...me too. So, it could happen to you, hopefully not.

Please get checked out and let me know what they find....a baseline is always good for the years to come! Good luck

SteveH

8/ 3/08 11:52pm

I went to the ER because I couldn't get an appointment to see my regular doc for 6 weeks. I wouldn't have bothered the folks in ER if the on-call doctor didn't suggest that I should (she did). The pain was persisting, and intensified slightly from what it had been for several months. For the doc on call, that was enough.

In the ER, they gave me an EKG, echo-cardiogram, and chest x-ray on the spot. If I didn't think I was in danger before, the oxygen tube they put up my nose convinced me that I must be in dire straits.

Turns out they found...drum roll...nothing! The only thing that alarmed the nurses was that my resting heart rate regularly hovers around 35. "Are you light-headed?" No. "How long have you had episodes of low heart rate?" For years, though it does seem to have dropped about 10 bpm these past 5-8 years. The ER doctor said that sort of heart rate is normal for lifelong athletes. He had actually handled Alberto Salazar (Olympic marathoner) when Salazar had a massive heart attack several months back. I told him I'm no Olympic runner, but he said that didn't matter. Athletes beat slower.

When I get to my regular doctor next week, I will suggest a stress test just to be sure. I've done antacid, etc. Nothing seems to make it go away. Maybe I just need an all-expenses paid vacation to Hawaii? Will keep you all apprised...Thanks again for the insights.

Anonymous

8/ 4/08 1:24pm

Thank you so much for keeping me posted and INSIST on the stress test....I too, showed nothing abnormal on the same testings you did...I am sure glad there is nothing so far...keep me posted :) Tx

mom of two

1/20/11 11:56am

I have that too and will be 40 this year. It don't really hurt but is anoying. Not a clue what it could be. I have thought maybe if I go to the chiro that it might help.

Jude Rogers

3/22/09 7:58am

I too have had the dull ache for years in my chest. An hiatal hernia which causes acid reflux can be the cause. Or as for me I have a shoulder blade muscle which is inflammed and the muscle runs around the front of the chest. Massage( from a professional or muscle relaxers help alot. If you are worried still get a PLAC test run to determine if you actually have plaque build up. I too am very active and play alot of sports and work out and all. Iam 57. My mother is 80 and strong as a horse. When I work out it gets worse because Iam pulling that muscle. I hope this gives you some insight. Jude

Worried Teen...

6/19/10 9:16am

I'm 18 and I know I'm a lot younger than all of you but I've had a dull persistent ache that comes and goes about every day. I've had it for the past few months and it is localized in the left region of my chest where i think my heart is. It will start when I'm just sitting or doing pretty much anything. Exercise doesn't seem to increase or decrease it. I know its really rare for teens to have any kind of heart conditions but heart disease does run in my family. My uncle died of heart a few years ago and he had had major heart problems for many years. I think since he was in his late 20's. My dad has had i think 7 stents put in and he takes heart meds. He's 61 and in pretty good shape considering he never really exercises. My mom's side of the family has no inherited heart conditions that i know of. I have had a somewhat stressful year (since May of last year), but I don't now if that has anything to do with it. I probably should mention that I'm a girl :) Let me know what you all think.

Lee

10/20/10 5:36pm

Hi there. You condition sounds IDENTICAL to mine. I am a guy, have had a stressful year and I am 20 aswell! I haven't got it checked up properly yet because it is so so dull and mild but I had this mentioned to me buy somebody who works on the ambulance crew. Do you drink a lot of energy drinks? sounds stupid I know but a lot of caffeine, especially things like Monster and Rockstar and stuff is so so bad for your heart. He told me each year a number of people our age actually have heart attacks due to it! If you do drink any, I'd suggest stop right now. Also I don't care about your past and you don't have to tell me a single thing, but if you've ever done any recreational drugs, or any illegal stimulants knock that on the head now. I don't want to be judged or make myself sound bad, I'm not a 'druggy' or anything of the kind but I will tell you anyway seeing as though it may help you: I drink a lot of energy drinks and also me and my friends used to occasionally take drugs for nights out; ecstasy and cocaine mainly. Never to an excessive amount, and always with the most care that is possible with a drug. I have stopped both of them now and the aches and pains have gone. I can only suggest this if it relates to you.

Hope I've helped a little, sorry everybody for bringing the tone down somewhat.

pease1s

11/ 8/10 4:12pm

i really wouldn't worry about lowering the tone to point out a valid argument that is a cause to a lot of chest related pains anxeity etc....

if you could have helped one person reading it it was worth it.!

Steve

mel

11/ 8/10 5:04pm

I've had a very similar symptom for a few weeks. I'm extremely healthy, extremely athletic, and 37 years old. I have a very tight band of muscle going up behind my left shoulder blade into my neck that has been acting up, and I suspect it is a fascial issue. The muscle fascia goes 3 dimensionally through your body, so if you have an issue in the back, there's a good chance you will also have an issue in the front (and vice versa). Just to be safe, though, I'm going to get a checkup.

Stefan C

4/11/11 11:10am

I am 19 with the EXACT same situation as you.

Sabrina

4/ 1/11 9:59pm

I should have finished reading the rest of your piece but right after the first paragraph I just had to stop and say that to a T, I am experiencing the exact same problem, I am fearful its my heart, I get anxiety a lot but haven't been treated for it and don't really address it, my work as well is stressful but at the same time is nothing compared to the stress I get at home. I sleep 3 - 4 hours each night of the week and that could maybe be the cause of my heart pain; it feels like a noticeably dull pain but it doesn't go away it just remains a consistent dull pain, not sharp, but strong enough to be concerned. I'll finish reading your article to see if you found out what it is, but if you haven't, then I guess we're just in the same boat.

Jim

5/17/12 3:00pm

I am 36 year old male and I was heavy caffeine user. I was starting the day with double espresso and another coffee or energy drink in the afternoon.

3 years ago I started having that dull pain on the left side of the chest; centered 2 inches below the nipple and 2 inches to the center of the chest.

After numerous test (ekg, ultrasound) my doctor did not find anything wrong with my heart. His advice was cut the caffeine to zero and take long vacation.

Surely I needed that, and it worked. The long relaxation and plenty of sleep with no caffeine and no alcohol did the trick. Since then, I try to stay away from the caffeine.

Nowadays, when I have to meet deadlines at work, combined with occasional coffee to keep me alert, results in the dull chest pain. That is signal for me that I am overworked and stressed and I need quality rest and sleep.

My advice is: take minimum 8 hour sleep, drink plenty of spring water during the day 2 - 2.5qrt. (No sugary drinks or coffee), take a mile walk during lunch break - eat apple (banana) as you walk. It worked for me, I hope it will work for you too.

Concerned about persistent dull ache in left chest (3-4 months)

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