Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

4

Hello.

I'm 27 years old and I've been Paleo for about 5 months now, and I am really enjoying everything about it.

My main concern is that lately I've been getting these strange pains in my chest... I don't know if its a heart issue, lung issue or what. Basically there are times when it hurts a small area when I breathe in too deeply... I don't know how concerned I should be.

The thing is that when I think back to every time I have had this occur, I believe that I have consumed a good amount of coffee that day...

Is there any link between coffee and chest/heart pains?

Come Monday I am making an appointment to see the Nurse/Dr, but for now, I thought I'd put it up here for help from you all.

Thanks!

flag	asked Jan 7 2012 at 9:26 trentasaurus 1,044●1●13

How much coffee are you drinking? – fullmoon Jan 7 2012 at 9:46

I don't drink daily... maybe once or twice a week... and then its no more than 2 cups a day... – trentasaurus Jan 7 2012 at 9:47

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If it is connected to your breathing, it doesn't sounds like a heart issue. Maybe pleural irritation or esophageal spasm. See a doctor but don't worry too much in the meantime. – Jay Jan 7 2012 at 14:09

It could just be gas. I used to freak out when this happened to me. It rarely happens since changing to a paleo diet, but I began to notice when it did happen, it usually coincided with gas. The pain refers to the chest from the stomach/intestines. – Pete Jan 7 2012 at 14:41

fullmoon · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-07 11:10:26Z UTC

Might be this?

PCS manifests itself as a very intense, sharp pain, typically at the left side of the chest, generally in the cartilage between the bones of your sternum and rib cage, which is worse when taking breaths. Patients often think that they are having a heart attack which causes them to panic. This pain typically lasts from 30 seconds to a few minutes. Though some episodes last just a few breaths, in rare cases they can persist for up to 30 minutes. On some occasions, breathing in or out suddenly will cause a small popping or cracking sensation in the chest, which results in the pain going away. In most cases the pain is resolved quickly and completely

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precordial_catch_syndrome

That's certainly what I experience now and then.

Steve Parker MD · Answer 2 · 2012-01-07 11:25:32Z UTC

5

Hi, trentasaurus.

When I consider the top 25 causes of chest pain, coffee is not on the list.

Good idea to see your doctor.

-Steve

answered Jan 7 2012 at 11:25

Steve Parker MD
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fullmoon · Answer 3 · 2012-01-07 09:40:19Z UTC

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First, see your doc.

Second, I had this for at least ten years now now and then, when using coffee as well as when not. For me, it vanishes immediately when standing up, breathing in really deeply (although it hurts).

answered Jan 7 2012 at 9:40

fullmoon
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	That's a fair point... I think I am always sitting or lying down when it happens... so would you say it is in the lung or the heart? – trentasaurus Jan 7 2012 at 9:47
	If it is Precordial catch syndrome... nobody knows, but then it isn't considered harmful. Read my other reply, and check with your doc. – fullmoon Jan 7 2012 at 11:47

David I · Answer 4 · 2012-01-07 17:41:34Z UTC

I had something like this for about 18 months. Recurrent discomfort in the sternum, sometimes growing to a sharp pain. I eventually discovered that if I raised my arms above my head and did a deep backbend, concentrating on my thoracic spine, I would get a distinct "pop" and the pain would vanish. A couple of trainers have told me that it has something to do with the cartilege of the ribs.

Give it a shot. If you don't get relief that way, then consider seeing a doc. In any case, it sure doesn't sound like coffee!

Huey · Answer 5 · 2012-01-07 18:01:00Z UTC

That's called paleo hunger. Your stomach sits higher in your rib cage than you think. You never before in your life felt real hunger, just abdominal distress, so you're not accustomed to the feeling. It surprises you and you worry. EAT SOMETHING!

Okay, okay I said that partly in jest, because it's only true occasionally, the rest of the time it's just muscle spasms in the ribs or something.

All you gotta know is, if it goes away quickly, it's got nothing to do with heart problems. Don't worry, be happy.

coprophagous · Answer 6 · 2012-01-07 18:18:52Z UTC

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google pericardia friction rub and see how its related to breathing

answered Jan 7 2012 at 18:18

coprophagous
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balor123 · Answer 7 · 2012-01-09 22:32:11Z UTC

I used to get that as well, though in the Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ). In one case it lasted for several hours and I was freaking out cause at some point I had to leave work. Anyway, I mentioned it to my GI and he said he thought it was gas and that I should try eliminating sugar alcohols from my diet like sorbitol. Sure enough, it's been about 1.5 years without the pain. He also ordered an ultrasound but it wasn't revealing.

Arjuna · Answer 8 · 2012-11-27 20:46:00Z UTC

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Organo gold is healthy and you dont need to worry about ur heart http://mycapturepage.com/cp23.php?id=470

answered Nov 27 at 20:46

Arjuna

Is coffee hurting my heart?

8 Answers