Submitted by Dr T on January 15, 2013 – 1:46pm
Question:
I am a 44 yr old female, life long asthmatic and have always had a “pointy rib cage”, to the point that I was never comfortable in 2 piece swim suits. Other than that, my odd shaped rib cage was never an issue. I also have issues with recurrent pneumonia and bronchitis (yearly almost). Meaning, I have had many chest xrays. This past spring (March 2012) I had pneumonia and went to the local walk in clinic and then my primary doc a few days later, both took xrays and both individually told me I had Pectus Excavatum. Reports say 1: Severe pectus excavatum which does narrow the chest cavity to approximately 7mm and likely does result in mass effect upon left ventricle. 2: Significant pectus excavatum posteriorly displacing and widening the heart which projects mildly enlarged resultantly.Ok, now on to the question. It has been a year and just recently (past month) I notice that when I lay on my left side and my right arm comes across my chest, I feel a pressure where I imagine my heart is located. It is not painful, but it is uncomfortable and I can not sleep this way. I am moving around quite a bit trying to get comfortable. I noticed too, that as a passenger in a car, when I reach over with my right hand to change radio stations, I feel the same pressure. Is this on my heart? Should I be worried?When I feel this pressure I arch my back and it seems to relieve it immediately. Should I get in to a specialist? Can this pectus excavatum worsen with age?Thank You.