A feeling of tightness in the heart area Please Help

[feelgood1987]

Hi Doc! I'm 22 male.
5 months back, I was being physically abused by my room mate. He used to put his entire weight(70-75 kgs) on my ribcage and press hard with one of his knees in to the area directly above the heart and stay there for some time obstructing air-flow by blocking my throat and at the same time hitting with his fist heavily on the occipetal head. I had an MRI of the brain and EEG, both of which were normal. But I didn't see any cardiologist about the ribpain. One or more of the ribs still ache and I have this feeling of TIGHTNESS in the area in the upper heart. I have breathing difficulties once in a week and most of the breathing difficulties appear at night. Unable to lie flat and breathe. So I will sleep by sitting straight. sometimes my neck aches like never before. And the breathing difficulty increases if I have a heavy meal. I also occasionally feel that the ribcage is touching my heart, thereby causing a crushing feeling of the heart. I think because of the weight(75 kgs), my ribcage has been lowered, thus making contact with the heart etc. Please suggest possible tests or scans that may briing out the underlying condition. Please Help

[Dr J Singh]

Hi,
I think the problem could be due to the fracture of the ribs giving rise to the pain and difficulty in breathing. You need some local analgesic ointment where there’s pain and maybe some painkillers. The rib cage doesn’t change its position with this weight and thus you don’t need to worry about the same. You can get an ECG done and maybe an echo if you’re really worried about any damage to the heart. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care.

[Judy246]

First, make sure you go to the emergency room, or doctor with this immediately. Contact your parents immediately and informed them what you have just written and contact the dorm supervisor and report it, a police report should be made, because he could have easily killed you (intent involved and this is criminal), you might have brusing to your longs, broken ribs, pressure to your heart....he could have killed you and this needs to be repored to your parents, police, school and he is to pay for all your doctor bills so keep receipt, which means possibly hiring an attorney to sue him for damanges, attempt murder and medical bills...you have a criminal case here. Good luck and get your self check for broken ribs.