Chest pains (Heart area)?

Question

Hey everyone. I am a 17 year old guy in college. I have been having pains in my chest recently. About 1 month + ago till now. It was a few days apart in the past but its built up till its almost everyday now. Its on the left side of my chest and whenever i feel pain i put my hand to my heart and i can feel it beating stronger and faster most of the time.

The pain is squeezing, and sometimes sharper. Sometimes it comes on and off but for awhile only. Sometimes it drags for hours. I have been keeping to my normal diet and everything hasn't changed much

I dont really want to see a doctor yet cause its troublesome and everything..

Please help! Thanks!!

I'm not overweight or have any other ailments. Been quite healthy all along..

Answer 1

Definitely get it checked out, knowing whats up will help you feel a bit better.

I was having chest pains for over a year (still happens sometimes), starting when I was 18--I was/am a healthy thin active person then and now...they'd be every few days, could last for a while or a little, and yes the heart beats faster/stronger when you feel it because feeling the pain or worrying may make you more anxious...

I went to my family doctor and a cardiologist--and then did blood tests, EKG, echocardiogram, and a stress test--all great things to determine problems. All of my tests came back clear, which indicated that it was not a heart problem. They suggested stress--now personally, I didn't feel too stressed--but stress can affect your body without you realizing it, and when I started paying attention more, that seemed to be the problem. Also--after the doctors told me it wasn't my heart or any other health problems like that, the pain happened so much less (relief, less stress I guess!).

So definitely get it checked out to make sure it's no big problem, and you'll feel a lot better knowing what is happening, too! Good luck!

Answer 2

Honey, you are too young to have a heart problem. But, I still wouldn't rule this out.

Is the pain deep? When do you experience the pain? What time of the day? Is there any event that precedes the pain? Are you usually anxious?

Sometimes, its not really from the heart that the pain comes from. It could just be a heartburn. This is the return of the stomach contents back into the esophagus because of some irritation or by stomach acid. The pain is characterized by a vague scalding or burning sensation felt behind the sternum (breastbone - middle of chest) usually associated with acid regurgitation after eating.

If the pain doesn't cause you to pass out, then it couldn't be coming from the heart. Heart problems usually escalates to worse conditions. It doesn't take hours for this to happen.

Since you are 17 and are in college, the stress could be getting to you. This could also bring heartburns. So try to relax and pay attention to your breathing. Worrying could just worsen your anxiety.

Answer 3

The symptoms you describe are certainly right out of the
text book. I'm wondering if you are actually in need of advice,
or maybe this is something for a classroom assignment?
The symptoms you describe can be attributed to a heart
attack, but the problem is, the symptoms don't continue as
long as you've indicated you've had yours.
So I'm going to go with the simple diagnosis that you have
a form of Angina. And that maybe you experience these
pains from exertion from sports, or something else causing
stress to your body.
In any case the rule of thumb is that whenever a person
has pain, especially continual pain as you seem to be ex-
periencing, you must see a doctor right away. I would
recommend you visit an OR and let them run some tests.
Take your blood pressure, and maybe do a stress test on
a treadmill. But you can't take this lightly. You must be seen.
Don't expect a forum to diagnose your problems with some-
thing that could have your life in jeopardy.

Answer 4

Going to the doctor can be annoying, but saving your life is worth sitting in the hospital for a few hours!!! I doubt it's anything serious because you are very young, but you should go see the doc to get it checked out to be on the safe side. Maybe you are having panic attacks, which can come out of no where and they can make you feel like you are having a heart attack, but I am no doctor so get it checked out.

Answer 5

Seeing a doctor is troublesome? It may not be more troublesome than your symptoms. Although I don't have your health history, at your age it is unlikely to be cardiac in origin. But your physician must rule out cardiac pathology, reflux, hiatal hernia, pleurisy, respiratory infection... this obviously isn't going to go away.

Answer 6

You really do need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

While heart attacks are unusual in younger people they are not unknown.

The stress of worrying about what is happening will only add to any problem you mightt have.

Make that appointment today!

Good luck
A.D.

Answer 7

hey man dont be afraid to see the doc. i kno u dont want to but ou need to for the sake of your helth you will be a lot better after you go and find out wjats wrong that way you can have some kind of medication to take care of it and not have to deal with it anymore

Answer 8

I can understand you not wanting to go to the doctor, it's not my favourite pasttime either, but it sounds like something that needs to be seen to, and soon. The sooner you get it over and done with, the sooner you can put your mind to rest. Good luck :)

Answer 9

SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE AND SEE A DOCTOR.

Chest pains are nothing to ignore. No one on here can be accurate with your health history. SEE A DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY!

Answer 10

yeah you need to see a doctor asap! its your life but really, you only have one heart and it sounds like you've got a problem. go. NOW!