AboutDavid Richardson Expertise Adult heart function and disease. Not very good about children lesss than 12. Hypertension is o.k. Heart rhythm a special interest.
Experience Certified in cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Was chairman of division of cardiology at the Medical College of Virginia. Am now mostly retired.
Organizations Fellow of American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology and member of American Physiological Society..
Publications Circulation, American Heart Journal, Hypertension.
Education/Credentials M.D. from Harvard Medical School. Residency training at Yale Uhniversity School of Medicine and Medical College of Virginia.
Awards and Honors Gold Heartt Award from American Heart Association in 1995.
Sometimes my hart contracts like a cramp. It lasts for just a second. This happens while cycling in an intensive workout at the gym. It mostly happens after 80% of the workout at the peak. After that happens I let go the tension and just peddle slowly. I don't get dizzy or feel sick when it happens. I do have hyperventilation. Could there be a connection? Should I be worried?
Answer Dear Jeroen,
The most likely cause of pain like yours is cramping of the muscles in the chest wall. If you can modify the pain, make it better or worse, by pressing on the area that hurts, then you have proven that the pain is coming from your chest wall. Chest wall pain is a nuisance but no threat to life or health. Hyperventilation does make cramps in the chest wall more likely. You need not be worried.
Please write back if this note doesn't answer all your questions.
