My chest hurts everytime I breath in.?

Question

I am a smoker and each time I breath in, it hurts,not real bad but it hurts, right under my left breast. What the heck is that, and don't say heart attack because it comes and goes for about 3 weeks now.

Answer 1

It sounds like a muscular problem. the issue is that when you breathe in, it is an active process and uses your muscles that are between your ribs. have you by any chance injured yourself anywhere in that area?

if you have been smoking for quite a while, I would definitely go to a pulmonologist. it doesn't seem like you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as you do not indicate any frequent coughs, or shortness of breath...

also have your blood pressure checked, with your LDL cholesterol and HDL. if your family history suggests frequent heart conditions , then I would check with a doctor ASAP.

Answer 2

this happened to my husband a while back. he went to a cardiologist but the doctor said he's normal. i don't know what happened next but it just went away. but if you're worried, you should get it checked. good luck!

Answer 3

You may have muscle pulls or you may have a respiratory issue from the smoking.  If it goes away with motrin or aleve, then it's muscular, pretty much.  If it doesn't, then you need to see your doc about getting an xray, perhaps?

Answer 4

i wouldn't worry about it.