Slight discomfort in the heart area??

[Scottn89]

Hi, I'm a 19 year old male in decent health and I have been having discomfort in my heart/chest area. It's very dull feeling but it is definitly noticeable but It's completly painless. I have been having this problem since I believe August maybe since July. So roughly for 3 to 4 months. The discomfort is usually most noticable when I get up out of a chair, when I get out of bed, so about whenever I put stress on my left arm, but it is also noticable at times where I am just sitting and doing nothing. About 2 months before I started having this problem, I started going to the gym daily for at least an hour a day for 5-6 days a week. I Have been told that I might have pulled a muscle on the left side of my chest, but to me this feels nothing like a pulled muscle, it has lasted for 4 months, I would think a pulled muscle would go away after time? Do my symptons add up to a strained muscle?? I did gain a lot of weight over the summer about 30-35 Ibs in 3 months, but I did so purposly as I was trying to gain more muscle by eating high fattening foods and working out profusely. I am now working on losing the weight through diet and exercise and hoping the discomfort will diminish over time. I know I should see a doctor and I plan to If I continue to have this problem, but I would like to hear other people's responses to this subject. Any responses would be greatly appreciated and I thank you for the time.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Costochondritis is a harmless condition. While pain usually improves within a few weeks, and resolves completely within a few months, there are patients in whom this problem persists for some time.The treatment is the same that I had told you .Pls consult a physician /orthopedician for that.

I hope that helps. Please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.

[Scottn89]

Thank you so much for the timely and informative response. I have put in my own research and I am fairly confident that costochondritis is indeed what's causing my problems. I am just a bit confused is costochondritis a temporary or chronic condition? And should I consult a physician either way to find out? Again thank you for the time and I appreciate your the response.

-Scott


  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Your symptoms are suggestive of costochondritis. Costochondritis is an inflammation of the junctions where the upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to the breastbone or sternum.

Personal history and physical exam are the mainstays of diagnosis. Tests however are sometimes used to rule out other conditions that can have similar symptoms but are more dangerous, such as heart disease.These tests are blood count,x-rays,cardiac enzymes and ECG.

Apply some warm compresses and take some anti inflammatory pain reliever like ibuprofen or diclofenac.If the condition improves,then it was costochondritis other wise other conditions like cardiac ,GI or lung pathologies.Pls consult a physician then to rule them out.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.