Chest Pain

[Gnusgal]

I'm not sure if this is "heart talk" or not, but oh well. I want to describe what I am feeling and see if any of you can give me some assurance that it's not a big deal (I know you probably won't, but one can always hope).

The last couple of days it has gotten colder here in the Dallas area (okay, so no snow, but it's been down in the 30s at some parts of the day). Any time I go out in the cold my chest starts to hurt. It's not intense, just sort of like a mild burning sensation that takes up my whole chest, not just one place. And if I take a deep breath, it hurts a little worse (still not excruciating). But it's not doing it JUST when I go out in the cold anymore. It's been doing it all morning. It's not painful enough to be debilitating, as a matter of fact, it's barely noticable, but it's got me wondering what it could be... Any ideas? I know I should call my card, and I probably will later today (the office isn't open yet anyway), but I wanted to get some opinions from all of you first.

Thanks,

 

[bvdr]

I have had a problem with chest burning for quite a few years when breathing very cold air. During my cardiac catherization last year, I developed spasm in my coronary arteries which required quite a bit of intra-coronary nitroglycerine to alleviate. The pain I had then and the pain I have with cold air was very similar. Sometimes cold air will trigger spasms in some people. I have been instructed to wear a scarf over my nose and mouth when exposed to very cold weather and to limit my outdoor activities in it. I am also on cardizem which helps.

Ischemia of any scource can cause pain similar to what you describe but so can other things. It is something you should call about.

 

[hensylee]

heart patients react to extremes of weather - cold or hot.

If you continue with this and it's bothersome, call your card and don't second guess yourself.

 

[catwoman]

I'm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and my chest has been a little sore, even to the touch, when we've had those "cold" fronts move in. I'm wearing camisole tops to help keep warm, and it helps. Haven't had any lung problems from breathing cold air.

We do have possible snow/sleet in forecast for Saturday.

Let us know what your cardio says.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Niki-

You've had extensive work in your thoracic area. Sometimes old scar tissue aches with the change in weather.

BUT--Kiddo-

Because you are "special" in many respects, please call your doc and get some help from the pro.

I hope it's just one of those things, but you know what I always say. Everything means something to you gals and guys.

Good luck-

 

[Gnusgal]

Okay, I know I'm a bad girl, but I didn't get a chance to call my card today. When you only have one 45 minute conference period, and have kiddos to teach the rest of the day, then have auditions set for after school until 5:30, you don't really find the time to squeeze in a call to the doctor who may or may not be able to talk to you at the moment. Know what I mean?

I have my card's pager number and COULD call her now if I wanted to (she wouldn't have a problem with it), but I really don't feel like this is much of an emergency, so I would rather do it in business hours. It's really not a big deal, just something I noticed. I don't think I'm in immediate danger or anything. I can even forget about it and not notice it at all until I think about it again. But I will tell her about it. I haven't talked to her in a few weeks, so it will be nice to catch up anyway...

Thanks for the replies,

 

[ccrawford]

Hi Niki - Good to hear from you. I definately think you should talk to your card and see what she says about the chest pain. It probably nothing, but why worry about it. Indiana is a lot colder than the Lone Star state right now, and the fire in the fireplace sure feels good. Let us know what the doc says. Chris