Odd feeling in chest

[Carolx]

Good morning

I’m looking for some advice please. I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Only symptom was prolonged palpitations. Had them all my life. I’m now 55.

I had an ablation November 2023, so far that has helped massively with the palpitations.

I get daily ectopics but they don’t affect me at all. They last seconds.

I am on Diltiazem and Ramipril.

Post op check up in July.

For the past couple of months I’ve been having a very odd squeezing feeling in my chest, left side. Like a pulling sensation. Now I only get this on movement. Like when I stand from sitting, when I get out of bed and when I bend.

Which makes me think it could be muscular rather than my heart. I have no pain.

But it isn’t improving. If it was muscle strain it should be getting better right.

I was wondering if anyone on here has had a similar experience.

I’m not overly worried but concerned enough to post here.

Many thanks for reading

Carol

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Carol, you need to see your GP and explain what you are feeling. All chest discomfort needs to be checked out. Be safe rather than sorry.

Jean

[Carolx in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean.

I have emailed my cardiologist, EP and the reveal clinic at St Thomas’ Hospital.

I’ll try and get in touch with GP surgery just to be safe.

Thank you for your reply.

[BobD Volunteer]

Any chest pain or difficulty breathing must be investigated. Please see your GP.

[Carolx in reply to BobD]

Hey Bob

I have no pain or difficulty breathing. It’s just an odd sensation but yes I’ll contact my GP and make an appointment.

I just wanted to see if anyone else here had a similar experience. Thank you for your reply.

[Ersilia2 in reply to Carolx]

I used to get a "sinking feeling" in my chest, cardiologist couldn't give me an answer.

[Alphakiwi]

Hi Carol, you say it might be muscular. The heart is a muscle. By the way is it an af ablation you had or an AV node ablation. I have a pacemaker in preparation for an AV node ablation . The pm is set at 60 so now i dont wake in the early morning with severe nausea cused i think by low heart rate because of the size of my left atrium. All the best Csrol

[Carolx in reply to Alphakiwi]

Good afternoon

On my notes it says Ablation for SVT. So in all honesty I don’t know what ablation I had.

I have been researching my symptoms. Could it be angina? 🤷‍♀️

That says squeezing/gripping feeling, indigestion like feeling in stomach.

It’s odd I only get it on movement. It kinda feels like my heart is enlarged.

My appetite is very off the last few days. Maybe that is nothing to do with the pulling feeling. I may just have a tummy bug.

I have made appointment with GP. I doubt there’s much she can do, other than send me for a scan.

Thank you for your reply.

[Snowgirl65]

Mine may not be related, but I had your symptoms about a year ago and it was caused by something as simple as putting too many handled grocery bags on my left arm while transporting them into the house. It pulled something on the left side of my back, and around the front as well on that side. That's not to say your symptoms are caused by something similar -- it's best to have it checked out, by all means.

[Carolx in reply to Snowgirl65]

Thank you for this info.

My GP has just rung me and seems to think it’s muscular rather than heart related.

I have an appointment for 11th June. But advised me to go straight to A&E if symptoms get worse or I get any chest pain.

I’m not sure why but my gut feeling is it is my heart. I’m wondering if it’s a symptom of the ablation.

I guess only a scan would be able to confirm this.

Thank you for your reply.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Carolx]

I'm glad to hear you have an appointment scheduled. Best of luck in that, and hopefully the problem will be taken care of and off your mind.

[Singwell]

I see you've had lots of replies. A while back I had a conversation with my arrhythmia nurse about an ache sensation I was having in the left of my chest. She explained about different types of pain, including Cardiac. She indicated that a squeezing sensation is something to be concerned about especially if it comes with or after movement. I hope you're getting this looked into.

[Carolx in reply to Singwell]

Thank you for this info.

I have an appointment with my GP on the 11th June. Still a while away I know, but if the symptoms get any worse or I get any pain I will certainly go to A&E.

I’m not sure why but my gut feeling is telling me it’s not muscular. It might be a symptom of the ablation I had 6 months ago.

Thank you for your reply.

[Carolx]

Good morning everyone,

Well I don’t believe it!

I had my GP appointment and it turns out I have a hiatus hernia, caused by all the different medication I’ve been taking for my knee replacement surgery (there’s been a lot). I was shocked but relieved it wasn’t my heart.

I’ve been prescribed antacids for a month. No wine or fizzy drinks and limit spicy food.

Oh I also have Diastasis Recti 🫣

Sounds painful doesn’t it lol. It’s basically where the stomach muscles part during pregnancy (I have 5 children). Nothing serious.

I feel better now I know what it is. Nothing life threatening.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment.

Have a lovely day 😊