PAIN IN HEART FOR 1 WEEK NOW

[Margie1951]

I had a sharp squezing pain in my chest, one week ago during the middle of the night. After i had pain in my heart area, lide a throbing, and it's still here. I went to the Dr. who's a nurse practioner, and they did an EKG yesterday. He said it looks fine, but upon examination, using pressure it hurt for him to apply pressure, so he said it's a virus of the heart. it still hurts inside. I'm suppose to go back and see him in 2 weeks, he told me to take ibuprophen 4 every 8 hrs.. I also take vicodine  2  per day, for my bad back, but it does not help. Is there something else he should be doing? I'm so stressed over the pain , i cannot sleep. This is a new medical office for me, i also have high cholesterol, is there anything else i should be doing?? I'm 59

[line]

I get chest wall pain, if you press on the area it hurts more. I use warm gel packs and that really helps. My husband had by-pass and he gets this often, The cardio told him if the pain dos not go away in a tear it never will.

The condition is called costochrondritis and I know it is awful.

Line

[Cleveland Clinic]

Probably not.  This sounds like some type of musculoskeletal chest pain, potentially related to a viral process, but more likely some form of inflammation in the chest wall.  Because the ECG was normal during the chest pain episode I would not be concerned for it being cardiac.  I would continue with the pain pills, take them with food.  Try some warm compresses and try stretching a little if you can.  It may take a while for it to get better.