Recently, over the last 16 months I have encountered a "chest pain" in my right side, which does not go into the arms or shoulders. I have had two MI in the past, the lastest in 1998. I was wondering if this sort of pain can also indicate an MI. Previous pain was in the center of chest to the left side and arms.
Q: Is an MI indicated by left chest pressure, not going into arms or shoulders?
Answers (1)
1/30/09 10:48pm
Creighton Robertson,
Thanks for your question.
Chest pain caused by heart disease does not have to be felt in the arms, neck or jaw. The fact that you felt this before does not necessarily mean that you will always feel the same pain in the same location(s) as in the past, especially if another coronary artery is the cause. With your history, you should have this symptom evaluated by your physician to determine whether your chest discomfort is caused by coronary artery disease or something else.
If caused by your heart, the likelihood of an MI (myocardial infarction) is greater if the pain lasts more than 10 to 15 minutes. MIs are often accompanied by sweating, nausea, and shortness of breath. Should your discomfort have any of these properties and/or duration, you should go to the emergency room for evaluation.
I hope this has been helpful.
Martin Cane, M.D.
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By Creighton Robertson— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 01/26/09
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