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What Causes Intermittent Stabbing Chest Pains?

Posted on Tue, 22 Sep 2015

Question: I have been having stabbing chest pains for the few hours that come and go.. I went through multiple cardiac tests in the ER as well as with a cardiologist all that came back basically normal.. (few pvcs and pacs) I had echo, all the blood tests, stress test, cornary calcium scan, corrus blood test, etc.. I was finally diagnosed with costochondritis.. the pain is very reproducable when I touch my chest area but the stabbing pains are concerning me... is this a normal thing with costochondritis.. I have had it for a few months now..

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

What you are experiencing is typical for costochondritis and you shouldn't worry about that. Costochondritis pain last for hours or days, it usually comes and goes and the most characteristic of the pain is that it's reproduced by touching the chest wall.

My advice is to do the following measures to relieve your pain:
- use NSAID ( advil )
- apply Voltaren cream on your chest wall
- apply warm bags on your chest wall

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (7 minutes later)

Hi. Thank you for your quick answer! Do you feel that heat is better suited for costochondritis? I use ice packs and that helps but it seems that many people prefer heat..

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

My opinion is that heat is more effective on your case, because it reduce inflammation and relieve the pain.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar