What all can chest pains indicate?

Question

I'm 18 and have been having mild chest pains infrequently for the last year. The pain is located a few inches below my left clavicle and is concentrated, not widespread. The pain will appear suddenly and increases when I inhale, decreases when I exhale.

A year ago--one of the first times I experienced this--I woke up to being barely able to breathe. I went to the emergency room and they confirmed I was having difficulty breathing, but sent me home still undiagnosed.

My dad suggested it might be a panic attack, but I wasn't experiencing any stress before the first incident. And I haven't been experiencing any stress when I've felt the pain in subsequent events.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

I've had a similar experience and went to the E.R. The pain was so bad when I tried to breath in and it only made it worse when I cried.They told me I had severe acid reflux . All the symptoms  you said you experienced are the same as what mine were.

Answer 2

Your chest pain sounds pleuritic in nature and rather than give you a differential diagnosis for pleuritic chest pain, I recommend that you see your physician go to the ED to evaluate you for any number of causes for this kind of pain.

Without a proper history, physical exam, laboratory and imaging studies, it is impossible to offer you a responsible answer to your question.

Answer 3

chest pains can be everything and nothing from the fatal such as pulmonay embolism and heart attack to the mild such as pulled muscle or wind. i really urge you to see a doctor.

good luck

Answer 4

chest pain is not enough to indicate something. Explain the pain. That'll help.