Strange chest pain

[james1234727]

Hello all,

Im not sure if this is the correct place to post, but I would like to tell my personal heart related story. I am 22 years old (turning 23 in a couple of months) and have had a very peculiar undiagnosed chest related condition for the past 6 years.

The problems started when I was as young as perhaps 16. I used to get sudden build ups of chest pain directly below the breastbone if my body was positioned in a particular crouched position. In fact (and you may not believe this), if I could position my body in a certain way I would hear a very unusual, artificial 'clicking' sound coming directly from the heart, as if my heart was beating against some type of metal. My mum can confirm it as well, she was completely shocked. This was ALSO accompanied but chest pain in no specific location while engaging in any form of exercise.

The symptoms prompted me to get a full checkup. Everything came back completely normal except for my GP noting that he heard a small systolic murmur under the stethoscope, and unusually high blood pressure which he put down to stress. The cardiologist however laughed off my symptoms, jokingly suggesting I should 'find myself a girlfriend' to relieve stress, as thats what he believed it probably was.

Anyway, as the years went by the condition started to improve. I was no longer getting pains induced by being in certain body positions. However, the fact remained that if ever I physically exerted myself, I experienced chest discomfort. I tried my best to ignore it, trying to convince myself of a multitude of probable non-serious causes. Its never really bothered me too much, because Ive never been extremely physically active, so the pain has never been brought on.

So I am 22 now and last Decemeber I decided to get fit and take up running. This is when I realised that there REALLY is something wrong with me that needs to be diagnosed. I can run fine for about 5 minutes and then a dull ache eventuates in my upper left chest. If I continue running the pain grows more and more severe, extending right to the back of my chest. It gets so severe that I physically could not continue to run without fearing collapsing from a heart attack. When I stop to take a breath the pain slowly fades away, but I dont notice that I am particularly breathless. I tried again the next day and experienced the same symptoms originating from the same spot on my chest.

So in early January I went through the whole routine again. Ive had an ultrasound and a rest EKG, both which have come out normal. My specialist still believes it is nothing, thinking it may be muscular skeletal and will go away with time. I was meant to have a stress test done, but I had the unfortunate event of falling over and breaking my fibula, so I have to wait for that to heal before I can run on the treadmill.

Anyway, what got me really worried is today I wasnt even running...  I was just walking slowing on my walking boot and started experiencing the same symptoms. Could it possibly be, that at the young age of 22 that I could have something sinister like coronary artery disease?

I dont smoke, dont drink much, am not fat (actually Im underweight) but must admit I can get stressed at times and have been known to have anxiety issued - blame it on the university course Im doing (Mecahtronic Engineering/ Commerce), lol. ONe thing I will say is the pain SEEMS to be more pronounced when I am engaging in physical activities that vibrate the chest, such as running as opposed to being on the bicycle. This is what made me think it was not serious but after recent events now Im not so sure.

I would love to hear from your opinions about this strange condition. My stress test is booked for middle of March, where hopefully I will be able to walk by then. I am praying that that comes out fine, then we can look at less acute causes.

Thanks!

[james1234727]

Bon Bon, thanks for your thoughtful reply. Im really hoping it is a muscle / stress/ rib thing as the last episode occured after a thesis meeting I had, which moderately got my heart rate up, although I would not say I was 'stressed' during it, under the true definition of the word.

I suppose theres no point speculating, Ill just have to go through all the tests and hopefully this gets resolved :).

[Bon-Bon]

I am sorry you are going through this pain.  From my point of view based on what I read from your post, it sounds suspiciously like it may be a possible rib problem in conjunction with the surrounding tissue/s involved.  It can be quite painful esp. upon running / exercise, sitting or lying in a certain position, etc. the list can go on.  Misaligned rib/s can be a very common condition, easily provoked, sometimes ongoing and sometimes resolves on its own.

It is very good that you are first ruleing out any possible heart conditions, etc. by going through those proper testings and any other testing you may need or choose to do.    

Of course, I am not a doctor and cannot offer a diagnoses for you.  However,  I worked with a chiropractor for approx. 10 years and based on personal experience witnessed a lot of the same sort of symptoms presented that you are explaining.  (Getting a girl friend to relieve stress, well.....uhmm... I've never seen that actually put into effect as a solution to correct a possible rib or soft tissue problem; but, I suppose anything is possible : ).  However, I have noted that unhealthy stress factor/s can play a role in vetebrae and or rib/s misaligning due to increased muscle tension/spasms, etc.  By the way, ordinary x-rays do not always pick up the problem, esp. regarding "soft tissue" issues.  

If all else checks out great and you choose to pursue further, you may want to consider a consultation with a doctor of chiropractic regarding your symptoms or even an osteopathic doctor if you are unable to find a very good chiropractor to find out if this is indeed what you are suffering, I have seen great and speedy results with the majority.  However, it is most important to research your doctors before choosing one.  Find a specialist in this area.

I do hope you find relief soon.  Keep us posted.

Have a blessed day.

[james1234727]

I am sorry, I realised this should have gone in the 'heart disease' forum. Admins, is it possible to move it? Sorry!