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What causes breathlessness and left arm and neck pain?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have been suffering from bronchiectasis for the past many years. I also have an undoubtful history of cervical spondylosis. I suffer from breathlessness on exertion. I had neck pain and was not able to move my neck, along with left arm pain, a month ago.

Medical History: I am a 49-year-old female with a known history of bronchiectasis, for which I have been using a steroid nasal spray for 15 years. Recently admitted for cystitis (complaining of hematuria) and treated with nitrofurantoin 100 mg (1-0-0) for 20 days. A recent health checkup showed positive TMT but with normal ECG and echo. My lipid profile was deranged, and Ihave low vitamin D levels. I am currently on C. Clopitorva 10 mg HS and T. Flavedon MR 1-0-0 for one month. I had a contrast allergy (reported 10 years ago, though no specific details on the contrast agent are available).

I also had cervical spondylosis, complaining of breathlessness on exertion, and had neck pain with left arm and forearm pain for 3 days (one month ago).

Past medical history: 10 years ago, the patient experienced breathlessness and underwent a CT angiogram, which showed normal results. However, I became unconscious after the contrast agent was administered.

Current Medications:

  1. C. Clopitorva 10 mg (HS).
  2. T. Flavedon MR 1-0-0 (1 month).
  3. Maxiflo.

Medication history for similar complaints:

  1. Maxiflo.
  2. Fluticasone nasal spray.

Given the History of bronchiectasis, cystitis, and a recent positive TMT with a normal ECG and echo, is there a need for coronary angiography (CAG), or can she continue with medical treatment? Is there a chance of arterial blockage?

Please help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Breathlessness can be explained by the history of bronchiectasis. However, cardiac causes should always be ruled out. Have you ever felt chest pain? I suggest doing a stress echo test.

Hope this helps

Thanks and regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

A month ago, there was pain in the epigastric region. Followed by 2 weeks later, there was neck pain. If the stress echo is positive, what is the next step? Is there any non-invasive method instead of CAG?

Please help.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

If the stress echo is positive, then conservative treatment with blood thinners and lipid-lowering drugs can be continued, but if it comes back negative, then the blood thinner should be stopped.

Another non-invasive method is CT (coronary angiography), but again, that will require a sturdy contrast injection.

In my opinion, stress echo should be done first; it has a high sensitivity to detect heart disease.

Hope it helps.

Thanks and regards.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At November 18, 2023
Reviewed AtNovember 11, 2024

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