Under investigation for angina.

I'm currently under investigation for angina; doctors are not sure if I have it, or it is an inflammation of the chest wall, such as costochondritis-they seem to be leaning towards the former.

A few months ago I noticed when walking that after about 300 metres, I would get what felt like a "freezing" sensation on the left near the heart. This would develop into a fullness or pain which feels like an indigestion or "stitch" pain if I continue walking. This happens fairly consistently when I go walking. The pain stops when I stop walking after a few minutes. I'm 67, not overweight, don't smoke and drink almost nothing. As late as last November I was cycling and walking for at least an hour daily with no problems. Here are some odd features about the pain:

1. Very often if I press on the area, partucularly around a spot on the left rib, it feels tender to the touch. Is this typical of angina?

2. I don't feel breathless or tired and the heart seems to beat normally.

3. The pain will stop within 5 minutes if I stop walking, but I don't need to sit down or rest-just stop walking.

4. Sometimes the pain occurs at rest, e.g. yesterday for much of the day. However, then it was sometimes in the arm, back or neck. However, it didn't "radiate" -it was generally in one place not another. Once it was even on the elbow. Sometimes if I press on the arm it feels tender.

Does this sound like angina? Any opinions would be welcome,

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Dear Samazeuilh

It seems that this worry has been with you awhile after reading your other posts in the AF forum.

You could have signs of angina or a handful of other ailments it is impossible for us to diagnosis you on here, also I am not medically trained, it is something that only the medical profession can help you with.

I hope that you find the answers soon to help levitate your worries as re-reading your posts this worry seems to be building up.

You need to keep going back to your Dr until some form of relationship can be made, for they are your gateway for further tests if you both feel that you need them.

Take care, you are in my thoughts

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You have correctly understood that this is causing a lot of anxiety. I've rung the GP, but all they say is to go to A and E if I have chest pain. But A and E have said that I need to be seen promptly by the Rapid Chest Pain Clinic for tests. Thanks for your reply.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Another cause of chest pain at rest is vasospastic or microvascular angina.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo....

Women can experience different symptoms when they have angina too.

[nilmonisikdar40]

Yes , I agree ischaemic heart disease can present with unusual symptoms like left shoulder pain, jaw pain, back pain, severe heart burn. It is fairly true with people with different ethnicity.

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Yes, I go to the rapid chest pain clinic on May 4th. Thanks for your reply.

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I have been having chest pains for little over 3 years, and the obly way to describe it for me was like my lung had got caught in my rib cage and on many occasion I was diagnosed with costochondritis or muscularskeletal pain and after fighting for further tests I had a coronary CT scan and it turns out I have a 50% blockage of the LAD artery in my heart. I am not diagnosed with angina however they thing it could be some of the cause.