Chest Pain on left side, Shortness of Breath,Sharp Pain when breathing in?

Question

I just have a question. Im 21 years old girl in pretty good shape. I work out just about everyday and try to eat healthy. I do drink coffee but no fast food, etc. For the past week i have had a problem. I get these sharp shooting pains that occur only on the left side of my chest. It hurts when i breathe in. It also hurts if i move forward or to the left side, especially when i breathe while doing so. When i was 4 years old i had a heart operation. But since then i have never had any problems. This pain feels like shooting pain and i also get short of breath in the morning and at night. Just today i also have noticed this annoying feeling in my throat. It feels like there is something stuck in my throat or a lump in there when i swallow. I have not taken any pills and it doesnt hurt, its just discomfort. The past few weeks have been stressful for me. My grandpa had been battling cancer and we were taking care of him at home which was very hard, he just died yesterday. My friend told me that this could just be from stress. But i find it strange that the sharp shooting pains only occur on my left side of chest. I havent been to a doctor yet because i have not had time to do so. If anyone has any suggestions of what any of this could be it would be greatly appriciated. Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Read this article

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

Answer 2

Let me be clear right away, I am not a physician; I am however studying medicine.  In my learnings regarding human anatomy & physiology I would have to agree with your friend.  Stress is a very powerful stimulant.  If the problem persists seek medical assistance.  But in the mean while try some relaxing techniques (Ig meditating, deep breathing).  Good luck

Answer 3

You should see your doctor right away.  Better yet, go to your hospital's emergency room; they're better equipped to check you out right away with X-rays, EKG, and to keep you in an ER room for a while to see if you're OK.  Believe me, the ER staff would much rather see you and find everything is OK than to have you delay seeing them only to learn that you're in trouble.  

Heart disease knows no boundaries, even though you're a healthy 21 year old girl you have a heart history sufficient enough for a hospital emergency room visit now.

Certainly stress may well be a cause for your discomfort but this kind of rough stress also brings on heart trouble.  Stress causes chest pain and chest pain causes stress.  What you describe isn't your imagination.  

I've seen too many people think last night's chili (for instance) is a cause for chest discomfort only to find that they are actually in cardiac crisis.  Not good.  

Answer 4

Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss. Yes, it could be stress related too, but you must go to your doctor.  There is no question about that, especially considering your medical history.