medical related question

[saltybubbles]

I am a fairly new diver with 26 dives so far. Most of them in Cozumel.

Our first time out this season was in a Lake and the water temp was about 70 or so.

On first desent I noted a pain in my left upper chest. Kind of like a squeeze sensation. I was no deeper than 20 feet. It really felt like I had a burp trapped. When we surfaced it faded away. It did not travel anywhere else.

Any ideas?

 

[Louie]

Without further details, it's hard to guess.

If the pain is recurring, persistent or if it interferes with your dives, it would be a good idea to seek medical advice.

My amateur guess would be drysuit squeeze (if you were using a drysuit). Swallowing air can cause discomfort but the upper chest is not a likely area to be affected.

Hopefully, the problem was a one off and it won't occur again.

 

[saltybubbles]

I was wearing a 5 ml wet suit. we have not had the chance to dive since then but will be going again next weekend.

Thank you for the answer

 

[ScubaDocER]

I am a fairly new diver with 26 dives so far. Most of them in Cozumel.

Our first time out this season was in a Lake and the water temp was about 70 or so.

On first desent I noted a pain in my left upper chest. Kind of like a squeeze sensation. I was no deeper than 20 feet. It really felt like I had a burp trapped. When we surfaced it faded away. It did not travel anywhere else.

Any ideas?

My suggestion to anyone who has chest pain is that you seek medical attention. A squeezing, pressure like sensation could represent a genuine cardiac problem. The fact that it resolved upon ascent may be coincidental or may represent a problem that deserves further evaluation. There are several questions I would inquire about. Your age. Health history. Medications. Risk factors for heart disease. Discuss this issue with your primary care physician before your next dive. I prefer to err on the side of caution.

 

[DandyDon]

Chest pain: See physician: Good idea!

But don't worry until you do. Chest pains come for various reasons.

You ever get heart burn? I take preventive OTC heartburn meds before all dives.

 

[saltybubbles]

I am 54, non smoker, on no meds. No history of heart problems. I do have PAT but do not require any meds for it. I have lost 85 pounds in the last two years and am active.

I will be interested in seeing what happens when we dive next weekend. If it repeats I will be calling my PCP.

Thanks for answering.