chest pains?

okay, so here's the dealio. i'm only posting here because i have to wait another few weeks until i have medical insurance and can go to an actual doctor and get it checked out. i'm just wondering if anyone has any similar experiences and what they did, and if there's anything i can do to minimize this.

so, for the past few months (since around november), i've been getting periodic chest pains after smoking. the left side of my chest kind of aches, and i can tell my heart rate is up slightly. this has also happened when sober: a few nights ago, i was driving, and almost hit a cop car who shot out into the intersection in front of me. of course, i was freaked out - but there was a sharp pain in my chest and my left shoulder. that's probably the most extreme reaction i've had yet. there's also been several instances of my chest/left shoulder/arm aching after smoking a mini-bong, buuuut i'm going to definitely lay off those. there was a pinching feeling in my left forearm last night after a few bong hits.

the weird thing is, though, i'm decently active (i go out for a walk daily, around 45 minutes to an hour), and if i run or anything, i feel fine.

as far as i know, i don't have any pre-existing heart conditions. it's been a long time since i've been to a doctor, though, so who knows for sure. up until a few years ago, i was on medication for ADHD, and have been so since the first grade. i'm female, 5'3", around 135Ibs, and a mid/heavy smoker (i smoke twice, maybe three times a day, not too sure how much but it takes about a week and a half to get through a quad). i'm certain it's the weed that's doing it, so i plan on definitely scaling back my usage.

anyone else experience this? aside from the obvious, what did you do to become more 'heart healthy'? i plan on scouring the web for more information, but i figured i'd ask you guys first. :]

thanks, you guys! sorry if it's not the most detailed, i can always clarify.

I had palpitations in my heart a while ago, prior to me smoking, and ironicaly enough I havent experienced one since i started smoking almost two years ago. I cant give you any advice for your symptoms, but to become more heart healthy, I started eating more grains, lots of tofu, running 3-5 times a week, and lifting 4-6 times a week. Stay hydrated too, it helps.

I actually get heart palpitations, too... but it's rarely painful. Just disconcerting when it feels like your heart is trying to jump out of your chest. Sometimes after some heavy toking (I also smoke cigarettes... :(), I get a bit of tightness in my chest. Oddly enough, on the left side. But after several x-rays and checkups, I've been deemed healthy.

Definitely get checked out by a doctor as soon as you're able to. You sound to have an active, healthy lifestyle... so hopefully it's nothing to worry about. But it's still better to be safe than sorry.

Take care. :jointsmile:

Thanks for the advice guys. Hopefully it's something relatively minor and not TOO serious. I know of a couple other smoker who have the same thing, except they actually have arrhythmia or heart murmurs. Kinda scary. But thanks Sparks for the advice on heart healthy foods, and Mr. Clandestine for the reassurance. :]

I had palpitations untill I lost weight about 20, lbs

the doctors really dont give a rats ass about palpitations, its the chest pain they look at

if your having chest pain they shoulve hooked you up to at least an EKG

Dont ignore any pain, its a sign, my daughters an RN ~~

Chest pain can happen for all sorts of reasons and it's often brought on by smoking because of the vasoconstriction. It's worth looking into. May be nothing, but you never know. If you're having it, you need more than to be hooked up to an EKG, too.

For the record, physicians most assuredly DO care about palpitations. There are all kinds of palpitations, and some of them can be a signal of serious arrhythmias. Please don't speak for what physicians do and don't "give a rat's ass about."

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Originally Posted by Mr. Clandestine

I actually get heart palpitations, too... but it's rarely painful. Just disconcerting when it feels like your heart is trying to jump out of your chest. Sometimes after some heavy toking (I also smoke cigarettes... :(), I get a bit of tightness in my chest. Oddly enough, on the left side. But after several x-rays and checkups, I've been deemed healthy.

Definitely get checked out by a doctor as soon as you're able to. You sound to have an active, healthy lifestyle... so hopefully it's nothing to worry about. But it's still better to be safe than sorry.

Take care. :jointsmile:

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I experience everything you mentioned. I had some chest pains last summer, some irregular heart beats, got it all checked out and there's nothing wrong with me. Sometimes I'll get a strong beat, when my stomach moves with my heart beat. But over the months it's been subsiding.

The chest pain could possibly be a symptom of anxiety and stress. I found this on the web, I can't vouch for the legitamacy of this site but it sounds like what you're experiencing....

Anxiety and Panic Related Chest Pains


I'de still go see a doctor like everyone else said.

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physicians most assuredly DO care about palpitations

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mine dont


hes about ready to get dumped

Im sick of my Drs bad attitude

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Originally Posted by Ghengis Chron

I'de still go see a doctor like everyone else said.

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Yeah, when it first became noticeable (many times at night, for some reason) I decided to go ahead and get checked out. I didn't want to take any chances with me being a smoker and all. But when the docs couldn't find anything wrong with me, I assumed it had to be stress/anxiety related. I really don't want to get prescribed a possibly habit-forming anxiety medication, so I've just been learning to deal with it in my own way. (Toking, meditation, toking+meditation, etc.) When I'm taking in less nicotine, my heart obviously doesn't get so hyper... another good reason to drop the habit, I guess.