Exercise or stretch to work out chest pain

June 1, 2010 12:00 PM

YANAD: Have some chest pain on my left side. Pretty sure it is muscle related any suggested stretches or exercise that may help?

I have gotten two stress tests in the last three years as well as a ekg of my heart and everything appears fine. Problem is I still sometimes have a pain in my left side of my chest. Almost near by armpit...so a little to the left and up from my nipple.

It comes and goes but feels a little like a strained muscle.

I know sometimes I crack my rib cage and that reveals other chest pain trying to find the equivalent for this.

posted by UMDirector to Health & Fitness (13 answers total)

Does it change when you press on it?
posted by caddis at 12:02 PM on June 1, 2010

Response by poster: Does not change at all when I press on it.
posted by UMDirector at 12:12 PM on June 1, 2010

is it worse when you breathe? it could be Precordial catch syndrome.
posted by acidic at 12:40 PM on June 1, 2010

Response by poster: Nope not worse when I breath. Thanks for the suggestion though.
posted by UMDirector at 12:51 PM on June 1, 2010

Doesn't sound like muscle pain if it does not change during pressure or breathing.
posted by caddis at 1:56 PM on June 1, 2010

Response by poster: Weird thing is it cleared up. It has been on and off for a few days. This time all I did was have a little snack and drink some water.

Could it be some tight cartilege or tendon or something...along the lines of what makes my chest crack?
posted by UMDirector at 2:07 PM on June 1, 2010

Costochondritis (inflamed cartilage)? My husband gets this every once in a while when he plays football with the guys. Weight lifting, contact sports, or cracking your chest can cause this. Resting is good, exercise makes it hurt more.
posted by idiotfactory at 4:31 PM on June 1, 2010

Could it be referred pain due to acid reflux damage? Do you have a history of reflux or heartburn?
posted by Salvor Hardin at 4:35 PM on June 1, 2010

Response by poster: I do have acid reflux but am on a scrip for it. That being said I had it for a while before I went on a scrip.
posted by UMDirector at 4:38 PM on June 1, 2010

Hmm - it's an idea anyways. I had some shoulder pain that I'm 90% sure was referred pain from a recent bad episode of reflux.
posted by Salvor Hardin at 6:08 PM on June 1, 2010

did you only have treadmill stress tests, or did you have any thallium stress test? Treadmill stress tests can miss heart disease.

You should see your primary care doctor about this pain. I don't feel comfortable with left sided chest pain being diagnosed over the internet even if you've had some normal tests.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 6:47 PM on June 1, 2010

Please go to ER or see your physician ASAP. Sure, it could be nothing important, but why take a chance? I nearly lost my husband three years ago because he ignored a similar pain ... it came and went for several weeks, then he had a massive heart attack and lost 35% of his heart muscle and is darn lucky to be alive. The medical staff would much rather you come in and be checked and have it be minor, than not and end up disabled or worse. BTW, he had been in hospital just three months earlier for another condition, and there were no signs at that time of what was to come, even tho he had some testing.
Please don't just let it go ...
posted by batikrose at 9:02 PM on June 1, 2010

Response by poster: So pain went away. If it reoccurs perhaps I will be rechecked. Maybe find a different cardiologist cause I think my current one has written me off as being obsessed with my heart.
posted by UMDirector at 5:12 AM on June 2, 2010