sharp chest pain

Read and learn more about sharp chest pain. For more, visit the Pain Q&A website FeelTheHurt.com

Q: What is the sharp pain in the chest area near that heart that goes start to the upper back behind the heart?
Sharp chest pain that starts and end abruptly. Location: Near heart and leads to the back near the back of the heart.

A: Benign chest wall pain is most likely a transient and fleeting irritation of the pleura, the slippery membrane that lines and protects the lungs. The pleura are very sensitive to pain, and for reasons that are usually not clear, some momentary irritation causes a painful sensation that can be quite severe, but that quickly subsides. This condition has no medical significance whatsoever. It is very common. Most people will experience these symptoms at some point in their lives.

The pain is usually a sharp “catch” that interrupts a breath, and that returns with each breath for a few moments – then it subsides. It is not related to exercise, and generally can be localized to a specific small area (smaller than the palm of the hand) on the chest wall. It usually lasts for less than a minute, but can come back on and off for an hour or so.

This condition can be evaluated by taking a careful history. The condition is very common, and very easy to diagnose by history – as long as the doctor is aware of it and understands it. The important thing to keep in mind is that this condition is completely benign, and is not related to any medial problem or any abnormality.

Q: Is it normal to get sharp chest pain every now and then?
I get a sharp pain on the left side of my chest (seems to be near my heart) and it sometimes is so bad it takes my breath away. However, it doesn’t happen often. Usually it’s just mild.

I have chronic anxiety, but I know the difference between that chest pain, and this other kind, so I know it’s not from that.

Does it come with age? (I’m 24) Or is it something I should be worried about?

A: It could be a minor case of acid reflux (there’s a reason they call it heartburn) or gas. It’s very common. If you’re worried schedule a physical and bring it up with your doctor during the exam.

Q: why do i have a sharp chest pain when sneezing?
A couple of weeks ago I started having intense sharp pains in my chest when I sneeze. I don’t have allergies or asthma. After I sneeze, it takes a long time sometimes days for the pain to go away slowly but then I sneeze again and it hurts alot. I can feel it when I exhale deeply and extend myself like when Im stretching.
What is it? Should i see a doctor?

A: You probably have pluriesy (sp?), which is the inflammation of your lungs. Talk to your doctor, as this can be a sign of something serious. Hope I helped, and good luck!

Q: What could cause a sharp chest pain when inhaling?
What could be causing a sharp, centered chest pain when I inhale deeply? It has been occurring for almost a week now. I had a small sinus surgery three weeks ago and do not think it is an infection because I am not coughing up any mucus. I work out regularly and I’m only 16.
Any docs here?
I don’t feel like telling my parents and having to go to the hospital to get checked out.

A: the same thing happened to me when I was at holiday world. I drank like five cups of water and it felt better after that! you might be dehydrated. I get dehydrated at home even because I don’t drink enough water. try drinking water and remember to keep breathing even though it hurts.

Q: Sharp chest pain- thoughts as to what might be the cause?
I get sharp pains on my left side of the chest area near my heart. I have been having the pain for about 2 years now. I’m 27 and in fairly good health. I don’t take any mediations and I walk a lot during the day. I had x-rays done and my doctor said everything looked fine, but the pain is still there. I had my cholesterol checked this last February and it showed my HDL was 70 HDL and my LDL was 204LDL. I was told that my cholesterol was not high enough to worry about but I wonder if I’m on the fast track for a stroke or heart attack or heat disease and that’s why I have these chest pains. Can anyone give me some ideas what might be causing this? Could it be asthma? Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Its not panic attacks- I’m positive. I could be stressed. I work in the IT field and I know it can be stressful. I also pick up computer equipment and I could have pulled something because I am a small woman- but wouldn’t it have healed by now? I’ve had gas before so I know how those symptoms feel and it doesn’t feel like that.

I’ve have been diagnosed with exercised induced asthma back in 94, but hadn’t had any problems in a while and haven’t had to use an inhaler in years.
Oh yea, I noticed it happens when I try to take deep breaths and it doesn’t hurt when I put pressure over the area

A: Heart burn… when this pain comes on, try some Tums and a glass of cold water. If this relieves your pain, it’s heart burn. Hope this helps.

Q: What is this sharp chest pain?
For two days now I’ve been experiencing sharp pain in my lower chest/upper stomach area. It feels sort of like heart burn, but not exactly the same. It comes and goes. Sometimes it’s on the right side, sometimes the left, sometimes in the middle. I do have acid reflux, but I’ve been taking my medicine and haven’t had any trouble with it for a few weeks. It also doesn’t feel the same as my acid reflux. I don’t know if this is something I should worry about and see my doctor or if it will just pass. Any thoughts? Thanks.

A: First of all, chest pains aren’t something to take lightly – if you’re sure it isn’t heartburn or acid reflux, you should see a doctor quickly.

A couple of years ago I had a similar experience – it started out much as you described, and over the course of three or four days it gradually got worse, until it started to feel like someone was sitting on my chest. Of course, the more I worried about it, the worse I felt.

When I finally went to the doctor, she suspected it was acid reflux, which I’ve never had before. An EKG pretty much ruled out heart trouble, but she ordered a chest x-ray just to be safe. The x-ray didn’t show any heart trouble, either – but it DID show a bit of fluid in my lungs, which she diagnosed as mild pneumonia.

After less than a week on antibiotics it went away completely and hasn’t been back.

Naturally, everybody’s different, and I’m not a doctor – but the symptoms you’re describing are very much like the ones I had.

Q: Sharp chest pain in left side under breast?
I randomly get sharp pains in my chest and they usually don’t last very long, but the last time I got it it lasted a long time and whenever I moved or exerted myself I would get a sharp pain. I’ve had this condition for as long as I can remember. What could it be? I’m 19 years old, I don’t think I’m having a heart attack.

A: you have a stomach ulcer. seek medical attention. or go look up “what are ulcers”

Q: I have sharp chest pain on the left side of my chest?
I have sharp chest pain that goes away very quickly. It is on the left where side my is supposed to be. I am 21 and my diet is okay, but it could be improved on. Sometimes I occasionally eat fattening foods such as chocolate and ice cream. I don’t exercise as much as I should. I mostly get these pain when I wake up in the morning. Is this a early sign of a heart attack?

A: Hardly anyone has a heart attack at 21, so it is very unlikely that you will.
It could be muscle pain. Not wearing a supportive bra, if you have medium or larger breasts, causes exactly this type of pain. Try wearing a firm sports bra for a few days and see if it gets better.
This type of pain can also be caused by weak upper body muscles and too much slumping over a computer. Try some light resistance exercises to build upper body strength and improve your posture.

Q: What is this sharp chest pain from?
Recently I have had a sharp pain in my chest, right around my heart area, several times a day. when this happens I have to control my breathing because when I breath in or out too deeply it hurts more. i have never had this before. Im a teenager and in very good health.

A: You should get to see a doctor. It may be a pulled muscle, but you should get it checked out. Chest pain is nothing to fool with.

Q: Sudden sharp chest pain about 3 inches from collarbone?
I have been getting these sharp sudden chest pain that last maybe a second, every once in a while, at unpredictable times. I probably don’t have the best eating habits, but I do drink about 4 glasses of water a day. I’m not overweight, I’m 15 and 110 pounds. Its strange, anyone help me figure out whats going on?

A: to answer the question you need more info…is it left or right sided pain. in the back of your chest or the front, 3inches below, or above your collar bone. Do you have any heart problems?(I know it might sound weird since your only 15, but sometimes heart problems can be hereditary.) When you get this pain does it seem to alter your pulse, (Does it speed up slow down or remain the same?)
honestly if it keeps up I’d just see a doc.

Q: What could cause – sharp chest pain when inhaling?
Sometimes Iget a sharp chest pain when I inhale air. It is so sharp that I can’t breathe in all the way, only half way. I have to take short breaths until the pain goes away. What’s causing this? I’m in my late 20s and I didn’t eat anything today at all (so I know it’s nothing I ate). TY.
** oh, the pain is in the front of my chest, deep inside, at the top/underneath of my left breast.

A: its an air bubble! i get it sometimes. usually it goes away. its from gas trapped inside.

Q: Brief but Sharp Chest pain on my left side?
I am a 20 year old female. I have been for the past two weeks having a sharp pain right under my left breast. It hurts really bad, but lasts for like 10 seconds. Do I need to go to the doctor? What is it? Please help. Thanks.

A: Gas build up can sometimes cause pain such as you have described (an example only).

Because of how long this has been going on for I would recommend that you see your doctor for further evaluation of the situation.

Q: sharp chest pain and shortness of breath?
So basically I’m 17 and I have been getting this random sharp pain in my left chest area. I have shortness of breath, but its like I can’t breath fully. This started when I was sick and threw up a few times, I’m not sure if it’s because I threw up, or if its something serious and should be concerned about it. The pain in the chest lasts only a few seconds, but its very sharp.

A: Relax, if it’s a sharp pain it most likely has nothing to do with your heart. Is the area where the pain is tender? If it is it surely can’t be your heart or lungs.
It sounds more like costochondritis which is an inflammation of the connection between your rib and sternum. Yes it can really hurt and make it hard to take a deep breath. You probably did it while vomiting.
There is really nothing you can do about it but a warm compress might help. It’ll go away on it own in it’s own time.
God bless.

Q: Why do i get sharp chest pain near exams?
every year in the run up to gcse’s as-levels and other exams i get occasionall sharp stabbing chest pain which lasts for 10 minutes or more. I feel no pain until i breathe in past a certain point which makes my breathing quite restricted and quick movements also make me feel the pain. Something to do with stress i think, i’m a fit 17 year old male with no other health problems what is causing this
and how can i fix it?

A: You are under too much stress.

Try to chill around the exam times – keep on top of the work to reduce the need to panic.

If the problem persists see your doctor.

Q: Sharp chest pain out of nowhere?
I was just laying on the couch watching a movie when all of a sudden I felt a sharp pain on the left side of my chest (where my heart would be). It’s never happened before, had no additional effects, and came out of nowhere. Any idea what it could have been? I’m only 18.

A: Your heart is in the middle of your chest, not on the left hand side of your chest. I had a similar thing happen when I was about 20, the pain was also on the left hand side, I thought the pain was related to my heart. I went to the doctor, who made an appointment for me to go to the relevant hospital. At the hospital I was hooked up to a machine for quite some time, which was monitoring my heart. In my case, the results went back to my doctor, & my heart was just fine. The pain was ‘just’ a stress related thing & I haven’t had such a pain since.

But for yourself, to find out more & to put your mind at rest, I would suggest that you go to your doctor & explain about the pain & to get it checked out if there is any question mark at all.