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Can Costochrondritis Cause Me To Feel Like I Have Heart Problems?

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Posted on Mon, 8 Apr 2024
Question: Hello. In july of this year I dislocated a rib during exercise, could actually feel the dislocation in my sternum area. I went for about 3 weeks having chest pains, shortness of breath, pain in back, tingling in arms and what I would describe as a panic attack before seeing a chiropractor and he put it back into place and almost instant relief with soreness for a few days. Fast forward, I had what I believe is is another slight dislocation in middle of September, visited the chiro and felt a little relief.. then the next day had a person fall on me after pulling them towards myself (standing) from ground level. She fell on to the left side of my ribs again and once more I visited the chiro. I bleive i have been having panic attacks as upon taking xnax i notice I calm down, it also helps with the heart palpations and don't think to much but I can still feel some pain. Since I have still have chest discomforth, a dry cough, some pain in pec area just about the lower pec on the muscle, back pain and some soreness to the touch on the ribs/sternum area. I have noticed a mild decrease in my exercise ability,
I feel as I don't have the capacity as I did a month ago. I do find that ice and heat help with the pains. I had blood work done in Septmber and my nt- probnp came back perfect. Since I have seen a orthopedic who said he though it was costochondritis and prescribe meloxicam 15mg. I visited one more doctor who said he believed the samething. He listend to my heart and said he saw no reason for me to have anymore test. During the panic attacks I noticed that my blood pressure never really went up and my heart rate almost stayed the same 130/70 and around 80bpm. I have woken up at night with small pains in chest and feel like my left arm and leg are numb and need to sit up for a few minutues. I did have a EKG ran but my doctor was not in and from what I can gather it was normal, no one told me differently and when I asked the nurse she said it was fine.
My question is can costochrondritis cause me to feel like I have heart problems? I worry about it being Atrial fibrillation or something worst instead of costochondritis.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Costochondritis may make you feel like you have cardiac problems...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!

I read your query very carefully and understood your concerns.

Costochondritis can cause chest pain (and other mentioned symptoms and signs) which can make the patient feel like he has heart problems.

You said that you have done an ECG. Can you upload the image for me so I can rule out/in atrial fibrillation.

Moreover if you were my patients I would suggest doing the following examinations to exclude definitely cardiac nature:
- Cardiac ECHO (exclude heart damage due to trauma, pericarditis ect)
- Stress test (exclude ischemic heart disease)
- Holter monitoring (exclude cardiac arrhythmias)

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Benard
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Benard Shehu

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2257 Questions

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Can Costochrondritis Cause Me To Feel Like I Have Heart Problems?

Brief Answer: Costochondritis may make you feel like you have cardiac problems... Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX! I read your query very carefully and understood your concerns. Costochondritis can cause chest pain (and other mentioned symptoms and signs) which can make the patient feel like he has heart problems. You said that you have done an ECG. Can you upload the image for me so I can rule out/in atrial fibrillation. Moreover if you were my patients I would suggest doing the following examinations to exclude definitely cardiac nature: - Cardiac ECHO (exclude heart damage due to trauma, pericarditis ect) - Stress test (exclude ischemic heart disease) - Holter monitoring (exclude cardiac arrhythmias) Hope this was of help! Wish you health! Dr. Benard