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stabbing pain in chest

I'm not sure what topic to put this under.  I am female, 42, non-smoker, I do moderate excersise.  I have had this before (and never did anything about it), but not for a few years.  I have had it again for the past few days.  I get a charp stabbing pain just under and behind my left breast, toward the middle of my chest (in the past I have also felt this on the right).  It happens when I breathe in, and it is very painful.  To alleviate it, I stop my inhale, and control my breaths, keeping them small, and gradually breathing in a little deeper, stopping when it hurts, and continuing until the pain subsides....it takes a minute or so for it to go away.  There are no other symptoms, no lightheadedness, no feelings in any other parts of my body.  It happens any time of day, about 5-6 times a day.  I don't notice it at night, and I am sleeping fine.  Any ideas?  Thanks
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Avatar universal
I wouldn't hesitate any longer to see your Dr. about this.  Not trying to be an alarmist but symptoms of cardiac conditions in women are different than in men.  If you are feeling this 5 to 6 times a day for no reason then it may fall under the heading of "unstable angina".

At least you will have peace of mind if it's negative.
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237039 tn?1264258057
This sounds more like a muscular pain, or even pulmonary in nature.  Doesn't sound like cardiac pain, as chest pain from the heart wouldn't be any different with deep breaths.  I used to have a big problem with pleurisy.  But with pleurisy I could feel the pain when I would bend over, and the pain is felt with breathing. You say you don't have it at night and for me when I had pleurisy certain sleep positions made the pain worse.  Is there anything you can think of that would make your muscles sore?  Any stretching or exercising that would cause this? Have you seen a doctor for this? You may want to have it checked and evaluated.  Take care, Ally
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