Sometimes the individual can do a self assessment. Symptoms of costochondritis include:
■Pain and tenderness in the locations where your ribs attach to your breastbone (costosternal joints)
■Often sharp pain, though also dull and gnawing pain
■Location often on left side of breastbone, but possible on either side of chest
Other costochondritis symptoms may include:
■Pain when taking deep breaths
■Pain when coughing
■Difficulty breathing
.
The pain of a heart attack is often more widespread, while costochondritis pain is focused on a small area. Heart attack pain usually feels as if it's coming from under your breastbone, while costochondritis pain seems to come from the breastbone itself. Heart attack pain may worsen with physical activity or stress, while the pain of costochondritis remains constant.