HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Sharp Pain While Breathing?

hello I am 24 years old and over the last 5 years every once In a while when I breathe in I get a very sharp pain in the middle of my chest it feels like someone is ripping my heart in two, and it would usually go away within minutes so I never got it looked at but now the last month Its been happening almost every other day and it hurts very very bad and I have to breathe very shallow so that I don t get the ripping feeling.
Thu, 4 Jun 2020
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,

Brief answer: In my opinion, the sharp pain in your chest is consistent with precordial catch syndrome. However, you should consult with your doctor about chest pain so that they can better evaluate the cause of your pain and make sure it is not from your heart of lungs.

Detailed answers: Chest pain can be caused by many things including heart disease, inflammation or infection of the lungs, heartburn (acid reflux), muscle cramps, and irritations to the nerves in the chest wall. Precordial chest syndrome is thought to be caused by irritation to nerves that run under the ribs. PCS causes sharp, twinges of well localized chest pain that lasts from seconds to minutes and that usually worsens when taking a deep breath, causing paints to take shallow breaths to avoid pain. However, this pain usually resolves with relaxed DEEP breathing. The experience of chest pain can cause anxiety, but be assured that the chest pain in PCS is not from lung or heart disease.

I instruct my patients to take DEEP breaths as soon as the pain begins, as the pain in PCS typically resolves with relaxed deep breathing. In any case, please consult your doctor about your chest pain so that they can make sure that there is not a problem with your heart or lungs.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Aaron Shapiro, General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Sharp Pain While Breathing?

Hi, Brief answer: In my opinion, the sharp pain in your chest is consistent with precordial catch syndrome. However, you should consult with your doctor about chest pain so that they can better evaluate the cause of your pain and make sure it is not from your heart of lungs. Detailed answers: Chest pain can be caused by many things including heart disease, inflammation or infection of the lungs, heartburn (acid reflux), muscle cramps, and irritations to the nerves in the chest wall. Precordial chest syndrome is thought to be caused by irritation to nerves that run under the ribs. PCS causes sharp, twinges of well localized chest pain that lasts from seconds to minutes and that usually worsens when taking a deep breath, causing paints to take shallow breaths to avoid pain. However, this pain usually resolves with relaxed DEEP breathing. The experience of chest pain can cause anxiety, but be assured that the chest pain in PCS is not from lung or heart disease. I instruct my patients to take DEEP breaths as soon as the pain begins, as the pain in PCS typically resolves with relaxed deep breathing. In any case, please consult your doctor about your chest pain so that they can make sure that there is not a problem with your heart or lungs. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Aaron Shapiro, General & Family Physician