heart cramp

[goldielocks2006]

Once every couple of years I get this sharp pain right where my heart is. No other symptoms present except pain comes and goes for 15-20 minutes and increases in the meantime with deep breaths. I don't suffer from heartburn or indigestion so I would not even recognize it. But it's only right where the hart is and it does not cover the entire chest. Also, last night it happend as I was eating hot wings. I don't eat them but 2-3 times a year and I had several dilpping sauces mixed up.

[elbear]

The symptoms listed above are pretty much identical to what I have been experiencing for the last ten years or so. I am a 26 yr old male- social smoker/drinker although lately I have been smoking more. The frequency is pretty low; less than ten times a year. The sharp, extreme pain- very alarming, and something 'pops' in my left side when I take a deep breath or exhale deeply, right where my heart is, and everything is back to normal. HOWEVER, for the past five days or so, I have had this sensation and it does not go away. The pain is almost negligible; nothing like the sharp, excruciating popping of the last few years. Just a general discomfort every 20 min. or so. What worries me is that these symptoms used to be infrequent and would literally disappear after a few minutes; this week the sensation has been with me constantly, albeit less severe. Also, last night I found that if I laid on my left side on my bed, the sensation was much more pronounced- when I breathed in I could feel the pain. I am relatively healthy, despite the drinking and smoking, I am a former waterpolo player and have never been too far out of shape. I have no other heath problems aside from minor joint pain in back/neck/knees, etc. Is is common for PCS to persist like this, or is it possible I have a more serious condition? Obviously, if this continues I will see a doctor sometimes next week. Despite the constant sensation, it just doesn't seem that serious- given that I don't have any other symptoms, i.e. difficulty breathing, chest pressure, etc. Thanks.

[lillylovelilly]

I also have had these sharp chest pains ever since I was about 12 years old.These pains lasted about 5-15 minutes.Unfortunately I never went to the doctor about these pains. I am now a 28 year old woman who is still having these pains, but just recently the pain has been the worst that it's ever been.A few days ago these sharp pains were so bad that I screamed and clutched my chest. My friend was terrified and was going to call 911, but I told her the pain would pass because it usually does.The pain decreased a little, but unfortunately the pain lasted for about 24 hours.I couldn't lie down or sleep because the pain was so bad. I was breathing shallow breaths for about 24 hours. I am so worried now. I really do not think this is normal. It's getting worst with age. Well, I went online and I did some research on the pains. I came across some possible answers. I might be suffering from Angina, Pleuritis,Pericarditis or Fibromyalgia. I'm not sure which one. But I think everyone should do some research on these topics.I'm finally going to the doctor soon to be checked for any of theses illnesses.(I'll let you know the results.

[valherux]

I've actually had this exact same pain ever since I was a child, and put it off due to the fact that it was so infrequent.  I usually get them one or twice a month, sometimes more, and actually just had one an hour or so ago.  This was one extremely painful, so I figured since I was at the computer i'd do a little research.  I looked everywhere for about an hour, and most places had long lists of problems, which included most of our symptoms, but not all.  Finally, i did another search with the string "seconds" in it, since the pain only lasts a few seconds.  I found a children's health website, and it recognized our symptoms and termed them as "precordial Catch Syndrome".  I guess this is more common in children/teens, but adults can get it as well.  Here is some info I found....hope this relieves you a bit :)

Precordial Catch Syndrome
  sharp pain
  anterior chest wall, usually left parasternal     area or near cardiac apex
  30secs - 3 minutes
  increases with deep breathing
  decreases with shallow respirations
  severe enough to cause the child to cry
This pain occurs just below the left nipple and comes on suddenly. The pain feels sharp or knifelike, causing the person to not want to move. Usually within 1 minute, the pain is gone. The cause is not known for sure, but it may result from a pinched nerve. Although these pains may recur for years, the precordial catch syndrome is completely harmless.
The "pre-cordial catch syndrome," or PCS, is the other common cause of benign chest pain in children and teens. PCS pain is usually very brief and sudden, and is located just around the place where you feel the heart beat most strongly on the front of the chest. It does not get worse with exertion or exercise, but it does get markedly worse when the person breathes in. Medical scientists do not know the cause of PCS, but it is clear that it is not dangerous.

Many young people with chest pain worry that they might be having a heart attack. Fortunately, heart attacks are extremely rare in children and teenagers, whereas costochondritis and PCS are extremely common. A doctor can easily tell the difference just by talking with the child or teenager, and doing a physical examination.

[TXAZgirlie]

Thank you so much! I have been "suffering" from this for so long, I can't even remember when it started.  I just had another "episode" last night.  I was in the middle of watching Discovery Health and they were talking about "mystery diagnosises" and it got me thinking about it.  The feeling of the pain right in the heart area and how if you breathe too hard it is almost unbearable pain. It's almost as if you have to work up the nerve to breathe hard enough to "pop" the "bubble" feeling in your heart. And then as fast as it came on, it's gone.  It is a sense of relief, but you have to get through that second of excruciating pain to get to the relief.  I am so glad to know that it is not in my head and that other people are suffering from the same thing I am.  The first time it happened, I seriously thought I was having a heart attack or some other kind of heart issue.  Does anyone have any other information on these "heart cramps"? I never even thought it might be a "cramp"! It is the worst pain I have ever felt, with no attributing factors as to what brings it on. (I however do have some issues with digestion.  I do tend to suffer from IBS and Acid Reflux.)  I will say this.  I was out at a club last night and had a couple of beers, and this has happened to me before when I have been drinking alcohol.  Do you think there is any kind of link? Maybe the carbonation? Thank you so much that I at least have some way to describe what I am feeling.

[monette570]

OMG!  I have this too.  I have had this sharp pain, left side of my cheast.  Since I was young - around 13, and I am 24 now.  I am a 24 year old female in moderate health.  The pain is like a bubble almost it hurts severely if you breathe in and it hurts to breathe out.  It's like you have to stay within this certain range of breathing or you go through this unbearable knifing pain.  I discovered as I got older that even though it felt like I was going to die from the pain, if I could just breathe in really hard or out really hard and "pop the bubble" so to speak, I would be okay and my breathing would go back to normal.  I used to get it like 2 times a month for years, nothing I can think of would trigger it, but you never know. Now I probably get it once every three months.  But even when I do, it is terrible. It only lasts for like 2 or 2 minutes or however long I can stay in that certain range of breathing.  Then if I just breathe in and take the pain full on and pop that bubble thing, I am okay until it happens a month or two later.

I cannot associate this with a digestive disorder, I just can't.  I believe it is correlative to my other breathing issues which the doctors keep telling me is asthma yet the treatments they prescribe for me (for asthma) and whenever I go to the emergency room and get treatment (they treat me for asthma)  it barely helps.  I feel your pain - no pun intended.  I hope soeday soon someone is able to diagnose this.

[caja57]

A related discussion, severe heartpain was started.

[waves3]

A related discussion, pain relief for chest sharp chest pains was started.

[pcmtreatment]

A related discussion, Stabbing pain in my chest was started.

[fefegurl]

I'm 18 and have been experiencing this since I've been a child. I only experience it maybe twice a year. I noticed that laughng sometimes triggers it, but sometimes it happens for no reason, its a horrible stabbing pain in my chest that always ends with a popping sensation, Ive just had it happen and I'm so thankful to find out wat the pain is. I'm especially glad to know its nothing I need to really worry about.

[ADSilva]

This site has been so helpful. I am 21 years old and for just the last couple of days my chest has been cramping! Already a hypochondriac you can imagine my concern!!! It has been happening every twenty minutes..... It's bearable and not too painful and I don't hear any popping! It feels like a cramp on your side after a long run?!?! I'm not sure whether to worry or not or go see a doctor... Thank you all for sharing your stories!!!

[L_3za]

I've had the same problems aswell, except I have pain in both breasts, upper back and in my side under my rib-cage. This worries me and I have been meaning to see doctor but, I don't no what to say or how to explain the pain. To be honest o don't keep track of how long they last or how often they are but I know they can be uncomfortable and get worse when I breath in. I have problems with my joint also, maybe every month for about a week my wrists and ankles will become really achey and swell up slightly. I have had bloods test for this and the doctor has told me there is nothing wrong with me, but I still get these pains. I don't know what to do with these pains, I just feel like the doctor will just say there is nothing wrong with me again. I'm not sure what to do.

[foodz]

A related discussion, Heart Cramps was started.

[megansplanet]

im 15 years old and i know you have to be 18 but i get those sharp pains you all are talking about and it feels if i breathe deep its so sore it feels like your heartis ripping open but i feel if i just breathe deep once and even know it hurts it usually goes away. its really worring and i dont know what it is im not over weight and i have no breathing or heart problems i would just really like to know if i should get it checked out or is its just nothing to worry about.

[TXAZgirlie]

Wow! Thank you so much for posting this information.  I tirelessly surfed the internet to find any information I could on the subject and was unsuccessful.  The info listed is exactly what I experience.  Good to know that it is not anything serious at this time, but still if you or anyone else for that matter comes across any other info, please post it. I am anxious to learn as much as I can on the subject.

[romerica]

Yes! Thats what I have. I am 24 as well. Im a non-smoker and am very healthy, never had any serious problems. I've probably had it a couple years and I never paid much attention to it until about a year ago when it started happening more often. Its pain only where my heart is and it hurts to inhale deeply. I feel if I inhale deep enough it will go away.Whats the deal?

[Protek]

I used to get this when I was younger. It came especially when I laughed and had an empty stomach  I found out it could have been a spasm of the oesophagus, nothing serious. It went away on its own, but occasionally, under the same circumstances, I feel it slightly and then breath in slowly and it does not stay. My heart is perfect but I always had a bit of digestive problems.
Don't worry.

[National Jewish]

This does sound like heartburn or possibly peptic ulcer disease.  A trial of an antacid when the pain occurs could be informative.  A pain that occurs once every couple years is unlikely to be on the basis of heart disease.  Most likely originating in the esophagus.