heart palpitations and random pain that only happens when I breathe?

[chromeprima]

Since I was a young child I can remember the sudden feeling of my heart seemingly being pushed inwards, staying that way for a beat, a rush of adrenaline flowing, and then everything going back to normal. I've heard heart palpitations being described as a fluttery sensations, but I wouldn't really describe it as that. I've never thought much about this, if it's even a condition, because I feel I'm too young for heart troubles.

Then when I was around 10, my second symptom began to show -- massive chest pain, usually above my heart, sometimes more to the right. I originally thought this had something to do with my asthma, but I'm not so sure anymore. When I first felt this massive pain I was sure I was having a heart attack. The pain was apt to knives stabbing through my chest.

If I take shallow breaths or not breathe at all, this massive pain will go away. But if I do breathe or move, then the pain returns. After holding my breath for a good twenty seconds, I can take a shallow breath and usually it's gone and lasts no longer.

That's why I thought it was my lungs. However, I'm wondering if this is more serious? I'm 20 years old, and have generally lived a healthy Minnesotan  lifestyle, so I feel I'm too young for heart disease.

Unfortunately, like many Americans, I don't have insurance. Any advice from here would be greatly appreciated!

[MichelleP_3811]

Massive pain is not growing pains and shouldn't be ignored but I get it if you grew up with something you sometimes think is it normal.  That is how I was with my tachycardia.  I thought everyone had it.  Well, please go see someone even if it is only random it shouldn't be happening.  

[chromeprima]

Yeah, the thing is that these random bouts of pain are completely random. I can two in a day, once a month, or once every six months. I usually just ignore it because I always used to list it off as "growing pains" and weird stuff like that, because that's what my parents told me.

[MichelleP_3811]

Only a doctor can say for certain what is going on.  We are only patients ourselves but from what I understand a heart attack is more sustained pain that can shoot down your arm.  There may be some other issue with some muscle or even possibly the heart that isn't related to clogged arteries which causes the classic sustain chest pain.  That said, whatever is going on needs to be evaluated.  do your best to get to a doctor to get a check up but if you feel that is not something you can do I would definitely go to the ER the next time it happens.  They have to take care of you at least in the short term and maybe you can at least find out what is going on.  But please do go get yourself checked out.  Take care.  I hope you feel better soon and keep us posted on how you are doing.