Sometimes I have sharp stabbing pains in my heart?

Question

I have to hold my breath because when I breathe in it keeps hurting. I'm not sure what it is. I'm 20, a vegetarian and fairly active. I eat pretty healthily. Do you know what this could be? The first time my heart hurt was when I was in grade 2 and stretching up to reach the monkey bars. It doesnt happen very often, probably once a fortnight.

Answer 1

Are you exercising when this happens?  Do you feel dizzy or short of breath when you experience the pain? Your doctor should be made aware of the events.  He will want to see you and run some tests.    It is NOT normal to experience chest pain.  There are several possibilities and only you doctor can make the proper diagnosis.

Answer 2

maybe its acid from tomatoes.

Answer 3

Go to a doctor IMMEDIATELY.

Answer 4

go to a cardiologist (heart doctor) as soon as you can.  they will probably be able to determine the problem

Answer 5

It sounds quite likely that it is related to a muscle strain in the chest rather than your heart, especially given your history. In any event, it would be wise to see your doctor to make sure. Also could be related to indigestion/gas (the nerves in the gut can send messages into the chest area). Does burping have any effect on the pain? You could also take an antacid to see what effect that would have.

However, as others have mentioned, if you feel palpitations (heart flutter), dizziness, nausea, or light-headed ness then you do need to get to an ER via ambulance stat.

Answer 6

You should absolutely see a doctor about this.

My wife's cousin died from heart failure at 22, and she was your average hot, thin, healthy college girl, so you can't always know.

They said that a virus from long ago had done something to her heart that nobody knew about.

She was perfectly healthy, then just didn't wake up one day. Scary, and very sad too.

Anyway, it also can be a condition known as costocondritus.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/costoch...

This can be very painful.

But you really should see a doctor, because it can be lots of things, and only a doctor is going to know for sure.

Never 'guess' when it involves chest pains!

Answer 7

being  vegitarian has nothing t do with it because it happens to me at random times too and i eat meat all the time..... i know it hurts to breath but it goes away faster..........im only 13....so you might think i dont know what im talking about but..... the last time it happened to me was.... yesterday while i was driving in the car.....it happens alot buit was REALLY bad yesterday