May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Heart Disease Calf pain and chest pain in a young female
Calf pain and chest pain in a young female |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: Hello Doctor, I am an 18 year-old, healthy female. I have always felt chest pains since as long as I can remember, but the doctor said it was only Acid Reflux. Lately, for the past 6 months or so, I have been feeling more severe chest pains, accompanied with left arm pains and tingliness numbness. The past 3-4 days I have experienced constant left arm pain discomfort, along with left shoulder pain, and severe left neck and left jaw pain. I have also for the past 8 months or so have experienced sharp pains in my left calf. It only comes and goes for weeks at a time, but lately its been constant for the past three days. It gets really bad when I sit, and better when I stand. My left leg goes numb when I sit in certain positions. I have had an EKG done about 3 motnsh ago and came back clean, and bloodwork done and nothing was found. I was diagnosed with mild-moderate upper scoliosis and thats it. I am a relatively active 18 year old girl, don't smoke, drink, or eat very unhealthy. I am not over wieght, I am 5 foot tall and 95 pounds. Dear Kali: There are many causes of chest pain, including pain arising from the heart, lungs, upper gastrointestinal system and chest wall. The pain you describe is not typical of cardiac chest pain, which is typically worse on exertion and relieved by rest, and would be highly unlikely in someone of your age group. Based on the history you provide of left calf pain, chest pain and left arm pains, with a history of oral contraceptive use, I would advise further investigation to exclude a clot in the leg or lung. The pain may also be explained by acid reflux or referred pain from your moderate scoliosis. I would advise that you attend your family physician for a more detailed history of your symptoms and a physical examination. Based on this, he may wish to consider performing further investigations including; d-dimer blood test, endoscopy or Doppler of the lower limbs to determine the underlying cause of your pain. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 24 September 2010 ) |
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