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What Causes Chest Pain?

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Posted on Fri, 7 Nov 2014
Question: Ok so i went to the walk in complaining of chest pain the doctor pushed on my ribs and that made the pain worse and he took my bp and listened to my heart and lungs he said that everything sounded fine he gave me naproxen 550mg to take and that helped alot im a 18 year old male 165lb and about 6 foot can someone tell me what this could be i went to the beach about a month and a half ago and got hit in the back and chest pretty hard with some waves could that be it and can a doctor rule out other problems just by doing that stuff
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
pain typical of inflammation

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Chest pain can originate from any structure in the chest from the skin inwards.

It can be associated with problems in the skin (shingles, neuralgia), muscles and adjacent soft tissue, bones (sternum and ribs), heart, lungs and esophagus.

Most persons are concerned about the possibility of heart related pain but for you this is not likely at your age unless you have a significant family history of heart disease.
Heart related pain is normally central, tight or heavy in nature, occurs with activity and decreases with rest, associated with shortness of breath/palpitations/excess sweating.

Your doctor would have been able to listen to your heart and lungs and detect some abnormalities. An abnormal blood pressure may also occur in persons at risk of heart disease.
There are some heart diseases that would not show up on examination but in those cases the history is typical of heart disease and points to it.

The fact there was tenderness also reduces the chance that it is related to the heart/lungs because this symptom is not typical with these conditions.

Tenderness implies inflammation (of soft tissues or muscles mentioned). This is the reason the naproxen helped. It is anti inflammatory.

You can continue to use this medication as prescribed.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 days later)
Ok and also i have had some other things happen to iv been a pretty active smoker for about 8 months up untill last month when i quit for good i fell better physicly but im always checking my heart beat and i fell it beating soft when i lay down at night and it somtimes feels like its skiping beats i get so nervous about having a heart attack that a couple days ago i just started crying for about 20 minutes and breathing hard its all so bad im only 18 and i fell like i shouldnt be worrying about this but i just cant seem to convince myself im fine it gets to the point that i want to call 911 and go to the ER the chest pain is alot better since it started about 2 months ago but i dont even care about that anymore i also notice that when i lay down my stomach has a visable heartbeat is that normal im pretty thin so maybe thats it thanks for your help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
not likely at all at your age

Detailed Answer:
HI

Sorry about the late reply

As you said, it is very very unlikely that you would have a heart attack at your age unless you have a history of congenital heart disease which would already be documented if this was the case.

Because you are thin then visible pulsations may be possible.

You may want to consider speaking to someone about your fears. Anxiety and stress are very common and show themselves in different ways.

Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (16 hours later)
Thanks for your help also my chest is somtimes tight is that a sign of anxiety or no it seems to come at random times when im stressed and goes away or gets better if I relax or take some deep breaths
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
it does sound like anxiety

Detailed Answer:
HI

Yes, based on your description , the tightness is related to anxiety. As mentioned, many persons have anxiety , either on its own or along with depression.

If it is not addressed, it can affect your life.

It would be best to speak to someone about what you are experiencing, the person may be able to introduce coping mechanism to help deal with your stressors.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes Chest Pain?

Brief Answer: pain typical of inflammation Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Chest pain can originate from any structure in the chest from the skin inwards. It can be associated with problems in the skin (shingles, neuralgia), muscles and adjacent soft tissue, bones (sternum and ribs), heart, lungs and esophagus. Most persons are concerned about the possibility of heart related pain but for you this is not likely at your age unless you have a significant family history of heart disease. Heart related pain is normally central, tight or heavy in nature, occurs with activity and decreases with rest, associated with shortness of breath/palpitations/excess sweating. Your doctor would have been able to listen to your heart and lungs and detect some abnormalities. An abnormal blood pressure may also occur in persons at risk of heart disease. There are some heart diseases that would not show up on examination but in those cases the history is typical of heart disease and points to it. The fact there was tenderness also reduces the chance that it is related to the heart/lungs because this symptom is not typical with these conditions. Tenderness implies inflammation (of soft tissues or muscles mentioned). This is the reason the naproxen helped. It is anti inflammatory. You can continue to use this medication as prescribed. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions