What could very temporary chest pain be caused by?

Question

sometimes i have what i describe as a squeezing pain in my heart - its on my left side (really not in the middle of my chest, but it feels like its in my heart.) the pain lasts for up to a second then goes away. i have read that if chest pain doesnt continue for more than 5 minutes (some say 15) it is nothing to worry about, and a chest pain that only lasts for a few seconds is probably not cardiac. the thing is, the pain really feels like its in my heart - and i wonder, if its not my heart, what could it be?

anyone have any idea?

(im 20 years old.)

thank you

Answer 1

I have the same thing but mine lasts 15-20 seconds and it feels like my heart is really squeezing and after that I can't breathe properly for 20-30 seconds.. I went to the GP about it but he said that it's nothing to worry about at my age (keeping in mind I'm 14) so just in case go see your doctor about it.

Answer 2

Hey interesting question.

I get the same thing sometimes, like a sharp kind of stabbing pain in my chest heart area. It hasn't happened recently, but sometimes I got the pain when I layed down, and each time I breathed in the pain would occur. I wondered if I should stop adding salt to meals..

I'll wait to see what answers you get.

*Starred*

Xx

Answer 3

am 20 too..and i have the same pain...omg!!!

and i have been experiencing this pain for the last 5 years..

my cousin is a cardiologist and she said she could do a thorough check up on me..but i didnt give much of any desire to have my heart checked..what if something is wrong?i dont wanna live my life knowing that i am a heart patient..it's better that u dont know! this is my case

well. for you! dont hesitate.just ask ur doc abt this..if the pain is regular, then it could be of some muscle wasting away not in the heart but around the heart area!

just to be on the safe side..just go for a check up!

now that u remind me of you, i betta go check my heart too!

if it's in the early stages it can be stopped or controlled!

thnx!

Answer 4

i would say check on webmd.com i am sure you will find better answers there

Answer 5

It's amazing how painful heartburn and indigestion can be. Some folk have ended up in the casualty department only to be told that their curry or quiche has given them so much grief!! If you have any concerns you should always take a trip to the casualty department, but if it happens frequently, you may be able to notice the signs of heartburn or indigestion and be able to sort it out with over the counter remedies. I drink a fair amount of Tesco french lager and always have a box of Tesco Ranitidine on hand!!

Answer 6

If you get chest pain and down left arm CALL 999 GET AMBULANCE IT IS CARDIAC. It may be ANGINA If it ease with rest, but you still need and ECG. This is the only sure way to know if it is cardiac or not. Any doubt get help.

If the pain does not ease with rest then it may be a heart attack. Both are serious and need professional help.

Answer 7

The most likely culprits are stomach, skeletal muscles, heart, lungs. If any of these have problems, even innocent non life threatening problems, you could feel pain like you describe.

If it gets worse or if you experience other particular symptoms, go to a doctor and get checked out.  

Answer 8

I recommend that you give NHS Direct a ring for better advice.  The service exists to help with such enquiries.

It may be a form of angina or a lung problem.  

NHS Direct 0845 4647 (24 Hours)

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

Answer 9

Please see your doctor, he will give an accurate diagnosis. Good luck!

Answer 10

gas

Answer 11

see a docter they have trained five years for just this sort of thing

unless medically qualified to do so the advice on here is garbage

Answer 12

Its probably nothing, its not uncommon to feel a pain like you describes, especially if you're feeling stressed, a cardiologist once explained it to me saying your heart is a muscle so if you think about it when you're stressed the rest of your muscles can tense up so so can it, it just lasts for seconds and isn't harmful. I often get it when I'm in the car because it stresses me out.

If you're worried about it or there's any family history of heart problems with your parents or siblings see your GP but I'm sure they'll reassure you its nothing to worry about.

EDIT...

Ok just read you're last question and you said you had a minor panic attack so that would make me 99% sure it is just stress related as I said above. Go to see your GP and they can give you methods to deal with panic attacks to try and stop the symptoms getting so bad, it is not uncommon for people to have very real chest pain and even to become tachycardic (the heart rate going too fast) during and after a panic attack.

Answer 13

If you are worried enough to mention it on here go and see a doctor.  Let's face it what have you to lose in doing that  

Answer 14

If it occurs when you go to the bar, and it`s your round, try taking your wallet out!

Answer 15

It could be a number of things, and it could depend on a few things.

I have given u a link for all causes of chest pain and hopefully this should help you. I would've put them on this but it would be very long. I would suggest going to the doctor to get checked out as you may need stronger painkillers or antibiotics depending on what it is, although to put your mind to rest it doesn't sound like a heart attack. It sounds more like a panic attack or chest infection(I'm prone to both so know signs and symtoms