Chest Pain

I am a 24-year-old woman who considers herself in good health.  However, over the past week, I’ve been experiencing a mild pain in the middle of my chest that has me worried.  I noticed that it hurts when I move around or press on it but I haven’t done anything that could have caused an injury.  It also hurts when I take a deep breath, so at first I thought that the cold I had recently was coming back, but I don’t have a cough or any trouble breathing. I tried taking Advil and it helped temporarily, but then the aching came back.  Should I be concerned?

[J.M. Keyes, MD]

Hi,
The fact that you are young, and otherwise healthy are very good signs as far as the cause of your chest oain.  also reassuring is the fact that the area is tender to touch, and painful with movement.  this generally indicates that the pain is arising from the chest wall, and is musculoskeletal in origin.  The most likely cause of your pain, from your description, is costochondritis- inflammation of the area that connects the ribs to your sternum in the front of your chest. It usually resolves on its own. You are doing the right thing in using anti inflammatories, which are the best treatment,  also make sure you are avoiding activites that aggravate the pain until you are healed.  If things are getting worse, or you are having other symptoms including shortness of breath, cough, fever, swelling of a leg, dizziness, fainting etc, be sure to see your physician or go to the emergency room.
Good luck,
JMK MD