Hi Guys,

Been taking the beta blockers for some time now and on the whole things are improving, but today Im a bit worried and need some help.

Not with skipped beats but with my anxiety this time.

Ive been getting a pain deep in the bone of my chin, I know sound inocuous, but I recall someone telling me before that pains in the throat and chin can be indicative of heart attack  So as soon as I got this pain, my palms started to sweat, and get tightness in my chest, and get very very dizzy (which is unusual for me), burning feeling doen left arm, but no skipped beats which is strange.

So now im in panic mode, and need some reassurance I think.  I know it sounds silly but is this pain anything to worry about, have I been missinformed?  Am I just panicking and so hyperventilating and is the pain in my chin just muscular?

Thanks

Stu

Hi, i hope you are feeling a bit better by now.  I get pains all over the place and my body goes straight into panic mode and i try and talk myself around all the time.  When i was nursing heart patients in the hospital, there were a lot that would be suffering with the 'classic' pains and symptoms of heart problems or indeed of having a heart attack.  After assessing them and giving them some gaviscon or mismag - wind medication - they did a good few burps and they were fine again.  But the symptoms that they were having were classic symptoms too, they had the cold sweat and the pain, funny feelings down the left arm, sickness, dizziness and jaw and neck pain.  It is said that indegestion etc, can mock the symptoms of heart problems and that is why sometimes it is so difficult to tell.  I do not know if anyone has ever suffered from 'wind around the heart', i have on many occasions and so has my hubby and the pain is absolutly horrific and you can't take a deep breathe and you sweat and in fact you can't even move.  Then you could have pulled something, it could be muscular.  I know how difficult it is but try and relax, are you hungry or could it be a pull or wind?  If it continues or worsens and you are still unhappy and scared then get it checked out to put your mind at rest.  Have you had any heart checks at all?xx

Hi Stu,

Sorry to hear that you're having a bad day. Hopefully my post with bring back a smile and some degree of comfort.

Referred pain from a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack is rather specific and where the jaw is of concern, is felt as a rather painful surge along the lower crest of the mandible or along the bottom of the jaw line to the mental protuberence, which is the center of the chin.

While this can be associated with an ischemic condition of the heart, it is more commonly seen with something called Sternocleidomastoid syndrome. The clavicular region of the SCMs can cause referred pain to the neck, ear and tip of the chin, not necessarily in combination. It is usually the consequence of stress and diminished range of motion in the neck is oftentimes observed. Trigger points are sort of rolled fiberous sections of muscle tissue that react to pressure and I'll bet if you inspect the area of the SCMs, you'll find it to be tender and you may even be able to reproduce the facial pain by forcefully pressing the relative trigger point. Incidentally, in case you need a roadmap, the SCMs are located vertically on either side of the neck about midline and extend through the ear downward and appear as the rather tubular looking muscles on the neck. Testing range of motion is simply done by turning the head so that you are trying to touch your shoulder with your chin in either direction and then tilting the head to either side as if trying to touch your shoulder with your ear. If a good deal of tightness and or pain is experienced, combined with reduced range of motion, then you're likely looking at a musculo-skeletal issue here instead of a heart attack.  

Interestingly enough, SCM syndrome has also been suggested to effect equilibrium, so in instances where the pain and tension are sufficient enough, dizziness and loss of balance has been reported, including episodes of nausea in some cases.

While I certainly haven't examined you, my impression would be SCM syndrome due to stress and tension and the subsequent fear encountered from misinterpreting the pain at your chin likely drew forth an adrenalin response that would explain the sweating and other sensations.

If alternatively, you feel convinced that the pain is referred pain from a heart attack, then you should certainly make decisions about seeking medical attention to rule out the possibility. In the absence of previous supporting clinical data and test results lending credence to the possibility of heart disease, I'm of the opinion that you're misinterpreting the pain in your chin. I'd take a breath and relax.

Best regards and Good Health  

Hi RLR,

Sorry I think I was posting at the same time as you and hence didnt see your response straight away.

Just to clarify, my pain seem to run from around my adams apple up to the tip of my chin, underneath and just slightly off to the right as a shooting pain, and also sometimes just a pain at the point of the chin I just explained.

Does this still sound muscular?

If I move my head as you suggested, it is very tense at the back of my kneck and shoulders, but no pain in jaw or chin?

Also one last thing, ive had no pain in the chest area, and minor skipped beats today.

Thanks for all your help.

Stu

Hi Stu,

I'm gonna sit on the side of musculo-skeletal for the time being. There's nothing in your posted history that would suggest MI or ischemic events would even be a consideration. That sort of shooting pain is somewhat inconsistent with the type of jaw pain referred from ischemia and is more persistent in duration and intensity.

The fact that you seem to be describing other symptoms that sound somewhat indicative of viral infection, I'd be inclined to think you've caught a bug so aches and pains are part of the process and the usual duration is 5 to 7 days before you feel yourself again.

My opinion here is to get plenty of rest, clear fluids and eat light meals until symptoms pass. If not better in 10 days, seek evaluation unless symptoms take a turn for the worse.

I think you'll be fine, Stu.

Best regards and Good Health

Thanks for all your responses and support,

Im starting to think its a virus thats made me feel so low, and thats probably why I feel so faint etc too.  Then my anxiety has gone through the roof as it does when I feel out of it, or have some unexpected pains etc.

Ive sat down and checked out rationally how my muscles feel, and my kneck and shoulders are so tense and tight that when i stretch them they hurt pretty bad, so Im starting to think my Chin/Jaw pain is linked, as has mentioned.

Im obviously stressed and anxious, which is making my muscles tense.  I will see how it goes over the next few days.

Once again thanks for the support, its VERY much appreciated.

Thanks, Stu  

Hope you are feeling better today Stu.  Let us know how you are going on hun.xx

So pleased you feel better today!
bead