Sternum Pain when taking deep breaths

Having read your forum for several months now, I'm aware that there are many causes for chest pain. However, I believe my respiratory symptoms are fairly narrow and was hoping to get your opinion in advance of a appointment with a Pulmonoligist.

On an infrequent basis, when taking deep breaths, I experience pain in the middle of my sternum.  The frequency has been enough to make me somewhat concerned.  No recent accidents, etc.. that could overtly lead to muscle pull, etc...

Along with this, I occassionally have breathing problems with what could be considered moving from 1st gear to 4th gear.  In other words, if I go from a calm situation to one which I rapidly accelerate my body, I sometimes have rapid breathing problems (running up the stairs as an example, intense sex as another).  On the other hand, I can easily do two miles on the treadmill daily, ramping up to a fairly fast speed with no problems at all.  No breathing problems when at rest.

Is this a lung capacity issue?  I did have heart surgery several years ago, but recent cardio visit found all was well.

Finally, I have had a dull, recurring pain down by my lower left rib cage for several months now, can feel a tightness in that area when taking a deep breath.  This came after feeling a sharp, stinging pain in that same area all day several months ago.

Thanks for your thoughts.

John

[National Jewish]

Since you are having the mid-sternal chest pain with deep breaths only, it sounds like musculoskeletal chest pain.  This is most likely related to your heart surgery.
Rapid breathing with acceleration could be due to heart disease, lung disease or a deconditioned state.  On the other hand, being able to engage in strenuous exercise after

[JL]

Why do you answer some questions and not others??????????

[Lawauna]

A related discussion, sternum pain was started.