heart atack

linda blyth,

Thanks for your question.  Your symptoms of chest pain, burning, sweating and difficulty breathing are symptoms that need evaluation and I'm glad that you have seen your doctor, though it sounds as though you're not quite comfortable with his diagnosis.

Diagnosing chest pain can be very challenging, especially in females that can manifest symptoms of heart disease in more atypical ways than men.  In your situation, was your doctor able to reproduce the chest discomfort by pressing on your chest wall?  Did he/she perform an electrocardiogram?  Are you less than thirty years old?  Is there a family history of heart disease?  Do you have other risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, or obesity?

Depending on the answers to the above questions and the findings of his/her evaluation, he/she may be correct in the diagnosis.  However, if you are still uneasy with the conclusion, I suggest you see him/her again and if the result is the same, ask for an explanation of why the doctor feels this is the diagnosis.  Your other option is to see another physician, possibly a cardiologist.  If there is any possibility that this is caused by your heart, then further testing is warranted.

Other than heart disease and muscular problems, other possibilities include a gastrointestinal problem such as esophagitis, reflux, ulcer disease, or gallbladder disease.  Occasionally a problem in the lung or chest cavity may cause discomfort. 

I hope this has been helpful.  Best wishes.

Martin Cane, M.D.