[47F] Experiencing chest pain and severe headaches

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, the following conditions might be considered:

• Angina: This is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. It is a symptom of coronary artery disease. Your risk is increased due to your age, high blood pressure, and family history of cardiovascular disease. The pain can feel like a tightness, pressure, or squeezing in your chest.

  • Typically, treatment involves medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes, medical procedures or surgery.

• Migraine: Migraines are intense, debilitating headaches. The throbbing pain or pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head, may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. The "jiggling" of your eyes could be related to visual disturbances known as aura that some people experience with migraines.

  • Treatment typically involves pain-relieving medications and preventive medications.

• Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause a variety of symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, and weight gain. It can also cause sensitivity to cold, which might explain your cold feeling in the chest area.

  • Treatment typically involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine, which you are already taking.

• Appendicitis: This is inflammation of the appendix, a small organ attached to the large intestine. It typically causes pain in the lower right abdomen, which can be severe and sudden. However, your pain seems to be more chronic and less severe than typical appendicitis.

  • Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the appendix.

What you can do

Given the severity and combination of your symptoms, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. Chest pain and severe headaches, especially when combined with vision problems and a history of high blood pressure, should always be evaluated urgently to rule out serious conditions like heart disease or stroke.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Chest pain that spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back
• Shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, or nausea along with chest pain
• A headache that is sudden and severe, or accompanied by sudden vision changes, difficulty speaking, or weakness on one side of your body
• Severe abdominal pain, especially if it is accompanied by fever, nausea, or vomiting

Remember, this advice is intended to be helpful but it's not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examination, testing, and care.