What causes sharp localized pain in chest during deep breaths?

Posted on Fri, 22 May 2015

Question: I am experiencing a sharp localized pain as I take a very deep breath in my left chest. It is localized in a pin pointed area in my left chest right below the heart. Lower rib cage. I really have no other symptoms. (i.e. shortnness of breath, fever, cough etc). The pain is also worse when I twist/turn in certina movements and if I raise arms over my head. The pain is also worse when I lie down so is at its worse at night iand in the morning. It does subised a good bit when I take Advil. I played 4 days in a row of golf last weekend and wondering if this could be a muscle strain, however it has now lasted 6 days. Could it be a strain that takes more time or something more serious? Could it be lung related? I don't really feel anything when breathing normal, just deep inhales and when I move in certain positions.

Answered by Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility of musculoskeletal pain is more.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
By your history and description, in my opinion you are mostly having musculoskeletal pain.
Since it is left sided pain, better to rule out cardiac cause first.
So get done ecg.
If ecg is normal then it is mostly musculoskeletal pain due to golf playing.
Try to follow these steps for better symptomatic relief.
1. Avoid heavyweight lifting and strenuous exercise.
2. Avoid bad postures in sleep.
3. Avoid movements causing pain.
4. Start painkiller and muscle relaxant.
5. Apply warm water pad on affected site.
If you are not improving in 1 week by above measures then get done chest x ray to rule out internal damage.
You will mostly improve in 1 week.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar (46 minutes later)

Would cardiac pain last for 6 days like this type of pain described? So you are saying it could last another week?

Answered by Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Less likely to be due to cardiac cause.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
Your pain is less likely to be due to cardiac cause, but left sided chest pain should be evaluated for cardiac cause.
And ecg is basic screening test for this.
And I was saying that with the steps, advised in previous msg, your pain will be gone in 1week time.
You need to follow all lifestyle modifications and start suggested drugs.
Heat is having excellent effect on pain management.
So all these will slowly improve your pain. And it will take 1 week for complete resolution of pain.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar (14 minutes later)

I had a EKG, echocardiogram and stress echo done 18 months ago for unrelated pain. All came back normal. Does this make a difference? Thank you for your time

Answered by Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry for cardiac cause.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Since you already had extensive cardiac work up, and all were normal, no need to worry for cardiac cause at present. So no need for ECG at present.
Just follow the steps advised in 1st answer.
You will mostly improve in 1 week.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly /askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

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