Left arm pain, dull, aching, some dull/sharp central chest pain

[JT5790]

Hello,

Acutely aware of the stress that NHS is under at the mo and don't want to cause a fuss to find out it's just anxiety. I have dull persistent left arm pain. Occasional central chest pain (between breasts and a little bit into my back) I feel a little bit shaky but that may just be because i'm worried.

I know there's a 99% chance this is nothing and just anxiety. I do take Prozac. Recently started Metformin (not diabetic, for PCOS)

My left arm pain started a couple of nights ago. Chest pain relatively new this morning. This also makes me think it's probably not a heart attack and just anxiety.

Just looking for a bit of advice? Do I risk calling 111 and potentially wasting resources or wait it out for a bit and see if it improves?

[Hidden]

Ring 111 JT5790

[Golfgirl3]

I agree with boo_boo 1. Call 111 and have a chat with them. Waiting and worrying isn’t good for you

[jeanjeannie50]

Yes, please ring the NHS 111 no. They may well send out paramedics to give you an ECG to see what's going on with your heart. They will know if you will need to go to hospital.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I agree with all the others advice.

Please ring 111

[EmmyLaury12]

I would call 111 you need to discuss this with health professional.Always best to ask for help and be reassured if everything ok ?

Hope you go on ok.

[JT5790]

Thanks All. It's clear I think I need to call 111 at some point. If it persists until the morning i'll give them a bell. Clearly nothing serious as i'm still here typing!

[bantam12 in reply to JT5790]

My husband had a vague shoulder ache for a week before finding out he'd actually had a heart attack !!! You can't assume it's "clearly nothing serious" just because you are still typing ! He was working abroad for a week and travelled home still thinking it was "nothing serious" ! Don't wait until morning just in case it is serious.

[Sunnie2day in reply to bantam12]

Very well said!

[QuadroVEINia in reply to JT5790]

With what you are describing I would call 111 without delay. 111 are there precisely for this situation to provide the initial triage over the phone so you shouldn’t worry about wasting NHS time. Wish you well.

[Prada47]

Hi JT5700

I wonder how many people have died waiting it out to see if it gets better !!!

Calling 111 costs nothing it can even help with your peace of min.d

Hands Face Space

[Rose54]

Call 111 and ask for advice your not wasting time

[Jack2019]

I think the risk you are taking is not calling 111. If someone you love was experiencing what you are experiences would you say, well lets not bother anyone and see if it goes away. I think it is a natural protective instinct to attempt to explain away heart attack symptoms, most people don't ever expect it to happen to them. Call, they are there for you, you are worth it.

[TooLate4Daughter]

Call 111 - that is what they are there for. And if they say you do not need to go in, call your GP in the morning. They still have a responsibility to be looking after us if we need it.

[Smileyian]

Absolutely have it checked. Left arm pain and central chest pain is not normal as you will know. There is no such thing as as causing the NHS "fuss" with such symptoms so please explore these symptoms promptly.

[Page12]

Call 111, let them tell you if it's serious or not. You don't wait around to collapse to know its serious now that iv collapsed. Don't delay phone today 😊

[SteveSeddon]

I hope you called 999. That sounds like an emergency. 111 would have sent an ambulance anyway. Classic heart attack symptoms.

[BC10]

I was in the same frame of mind myself last week but called 111 and at no point was I made to feel that I was stretching their resources.

I had a real good chat with a delightful paramedic who simply could not do enough for me - in fact when I apologised for calling, he said that it was real nice to have something to do.

Apparently there are a lot of NHS staff hanging around waiting for someone to help. They aren't all attending to patients with covid, regardless of what the BBC tells us.

Call 111, it is your prerogative and yes, you could have or be having a mild infarction without realising it - Or if may just be an adjustment to your meds or even oesophagus pain - but you need to find out. Best wishes from us all.

[imps4 in reply to BC10]

Call 111 or ambulance. I have mitral valve problems and off for contrast angiogram with contrast but woke up thursday feely really shaky and not right so called 999.they checked me out and it was ok but they reassured me I d done the right thing.

[Sunnie2day]

Update, JT5790? How are you this morning and did you telephone 111?

[Joliv61]

They’d rather you were safe than sorry. Call the emergency services out.

[Nuttyshirlz]

My dad always said that he thought he was wasting their time. My dad never completed until the morning my mum was downstairs ringing 999 as My dad died upstairs at 51 alone. Before they got to him. My advice would ring them.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Nuttyshirlz]

So sorry to hear this Shirl. People will just not listen when they're told they must call for help. Your post is a warning to them, so thank you for being brave enough to tell us about your dad.

[Nuttyshirlz in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I lost my dad when I was 28 and now I’m in 50s I’ve also got heart problems. I don’t think I would want to put my family through same thing. Don’t get me wrong I will one day but I’d prefer to be around few more years yet lol. If me saying my experience helps one person then it’s one lift saved.

[Cookie2020]

HiPlease ring 111 right now and get there advice to what to do next.

Let them decide if you need extra advice or help and please just stay relaxed and don’t panic.

DO IT NOW

Good luck Andy

[Spangle14]

Hopefully nothing to worry about but please get it checked. Yes, the NHS are under strain, but they are also actively encouraging people not to ignore symptoms that could be a cause for concern.

[Lad0820]

Do not hesitate to call. I had a stent fitted last August and last week had some non specific chest pain so called 111. I ended up in A&E and was fine but from the paramedics to the Docs and nurses everyone said I had done the right thing.