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What Causes Pain On The Left Side Of The Chest?

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Posted on Wed, 9 Nov 2016
Question: hello i am 24 yom i am having a sharp intense pain on the left side of my chest. it has gotten worse it feels like a tearing pulsating pain
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Stay calm and still, and as advised

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your your query, albeit short and specific.
To recapitulate: Male/24 - sharp intense pain on the left side of the chest - gotten worse - feels like tearing pulsation pain ... not consulted a Doctor - tried nothing.

What are the other symptoms?
Sweating
Radiation of pain to left shoulder, back, or abdomen
Sensation of heaviness in chest
Breathlessness
Palpitations
Dizziness

Even though you are 24, the cardiac cause has to be kept on the top list.
I would advise you the following:
Stop movements, strict rest.
Call an Ambulance if the facility is available
Reach Emergency Room or a hospital nearby with the help of others
Need urgent EKG and cardiac evaluation to rule out cardiac cause.
Once ruled out then can be thought of other causes.

This can be a dire emergency.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (6 minutes later)
I have no other symptoms which makes me curious as what this could be. My chest does not/has not feel heavy. It has been gradually getting worse. Yesterday it hurt only with a deep breath or a cough, today its an intense sharp pain just when making small movements and regular breathing.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Thank for your feedback.
Yet to get at least an EKG asap, always good to be on the safer side; I hope you understand what I mean by.
If the pain started with deep breathing and coughing and increasing now with small movements and regular breathing, the cause can be related to costochondritis, myalgia or pleural pathology.

Is it localized to a particular spot or circumscribed area?
Is there local tenderness? That is pain on pressure- more suggestive of costochondritis.

I would advise you the following.
Take an anti-inflammatory medication with painkiller property like Ibuprofen IF it suits you after food.
Apply local rubrafacient liniments, which increase local temperature to give pain relief.
Avoid any movements which increase strain on the ailing area.
Consult your Doctor for clinical evaluation, examination - auscultation tells about pleural rub or consolidation, can see for local tenderness and ask for X-ray of - the chest and other tests - EKG is a must.

I hope this answer helps you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (11 minutes later)
I took 800 mg of ASA yesterday that did not help with the pain. The pain is between my left nipple and collar bone. It foes not hurt more when pressing on it, that has no effect.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Clinical evaluation and examination, investigations to get a cause

Detailed Answer:
Then must deep within.
Needs clinical evaluation, examination and investigations as advised above.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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What Causes Pain On The Left Side Of The Chest?

Brief Answer: Stay calm and still, and as advised Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your your query, albeit short and specific. To recapitulate: Male/24 - sharp intense pain on the left side of the chest - gotten worse - feels like tearing pulsation pain ... not consulted a Doctor - tried nothing. What are the other symptoms? Sweating Radiation of pain to left shoulder, back, or abdomen Sensation of heaviness in chest Breathlessness Palpitations Dizziness Even though you are 24, the cardiac cause has to be kept on the top list. I would advise you the following: Stop movements, strict rest. Call an Ambulance if the facility is available Reach Emergency Room or a hospital nearby with the help of others Need urgent EKG and cardiac evaluation to rule out cardiac cause. Once ruled out then can be thought of other causes. This can be a dire emergency.