I agree with Susan C: WebMD is too broad to provide much useful information! The Mayo Clinic is a more credible source of information, and has an entire site devoted to chest pain: both cardiac-related and non-cardiac related.
1) Are you experiencing any of the other symptoms of heart disease?
This includes (but is not limited to): "...classic feeling of an elephant sitting on their chest but it is also possible that their symptoms can be more vague. Less dramatic symptoms, which most women don’t associate with heart disease, include neck, nausea, vomiting or pain in the jaw or shoulders." (Accessed at: EmpowHer article).
It did not sound like you have any of these symptoms, from your description.
2) Information from the from Mayo Clinic:
"Pain in your chest can be severe. It can be difficult to interpret. The cause of the pain could be something as simple as heartburn or as serious as a heart attack."
To me, this means that you can stop the self-doubt, wondering if your parents will be irritated...and know that (even) adults have difficulty distinguishing exactly what "chest pain" is that they are experiencing. It does not mean you are a hypochondriac. If you are not receiving the respect from your doctor that you deserve, are you able to find another physician that you do like and trust? You can ask your friends if they like their doctor, to start.
3) "Fortunately, chest pain doesn't always signal a heart attack. Often chest pain is unrelated to any heart problem."
"But even if the chest pain you experience has nothing to do with your cardiovascular system, the problem may still be important."
4) Some of your choice of words made me think instantly of a panic attack. Have you experienced anything like anxiety before?
Your words including, "feel panicked and scared", "irrational fear", "hypochondria", "fear of dying young", "sharp pain in my heart" are what led me to this question.
Here is information about panic attacks:
Panic attack. If you experience periods of intense fear accompanied by chest pain, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing (hyperventilation), profuse sweating and shortness of breath, you may be experiencing a panic attack — a form of anxiety.
However, you do not have any other symptoms of a panic attack (rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, etc). Everyone experiences some anxiety, and it is perfectly normal on an occasional basis.
5) It also sounds like you may have strained a chest muscle Your mention of moving furniture, and no other symptoms of heart disease except pain in the muscle. How long has the pain occurred? Has it become more or less severe over time?
6) How would you know if it's your heart?
It can be difficult or even impossible to tell what's causing chest pain. Be on the lookout for these heart-related warning signs:
* Sudden pressure, tightening, squeezing or crushing pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes
* Pain spreading to the back, neck, jaw, shoulders or arms — especially the left arm
* Chest discomfort accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness or nausea
* Pressure or tightness in the chest during physical activity or when you're under emotional stress
Read more about this at Mayo Clinic site.
Please know that with all of the health information out there, online and TV, it is overwhelming and we all can feel a sense of "doom & gloom". I know if I see a few particular ads on TV on heart disease awareness or stroke prevention, that just the mere mention of symptoms makes me do a quick "body scan". Have you ever heard someone on TV ask if they have a shortness of breath, and then all the sudden you become more aware of your breathing?
Lastly, just because you are young does not mean that your symptoms are not real. Just keep writing them down, and it is important that if you have any changes in symptoms...or if your chest pain worsens...that you tell your parents or go to the doctor/ER.
You are doing an excellent job in gathering information, and please remember that people can have chest pain without it being a cardiac event (heart-related).
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Hi anon,
I agree with Susan C: WebMD is too broad to provide much useful information! The Mayo Clinic is a more credible source of information, and has an entire site devoted to chest pain: both cardiac-related and non-cardiac related.
1) Are you experiencing any of the other symptoms of heart disease?
This includes (but is not limited to): "...classic feeling of an elephant sitting on their chest but it is also possible that their symptoms can be more vague. Less dramatic symptoms, which most women don’t associate with heart disease, include neck, nausea, vomiting or pain in the jaw or shoulders." (Accessed at: EmpowHer article).
It did not sound like you have any of these symptoms, from your description.
2) Information from the from Mayo Clinic:
"Pain in your chest can be severe. It can be difficult to interpret. The cause of the pain could be something as simple as heartburn or as serious as a heart attack."
To me, this means that you can stop the self-doubt, wondering if your parents will be irritated...and know that (even) adults have difficulty distinguishing exactly what "chest pain" is that they are experiencing. It does not mean you are a hypochondriac. If you are not receiving the respect from your doctor that you deserve, are you able to find another physician that you do like and trust? You can ask your friends if they like their doctor, to start.
3) "Fortunately, chest pain doesn't always signal a heart attack. Often chest pain is unrelated to any heart problem."
"But even if the chest pain you experience has nothing to do with your cardiovascular system, the problem may still be important."
4) Some of your choice of words made me think instantly of a panic attack. Have you experienced anything like anxiety before?
Your words including, "feel panicked and scared", "irrational fear", "hypochondria", "fear of dying young", "sharp pain in my heart" are what led me to this question.
Here is information about panic attacks:
Panic attack. If you experience periods of intense fear accompanied by chest pain, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing (hyperventilation), profuse sweating and shortness of breath, you may be experiencing a panic attack — a form of anxiety.
However, you do not have any other symptoms of a panic attack (rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, etc). Everyone experiences some anxiety, and it is perfectly normal on an occasional basis.
5) It also sounds like you may have strained a chest muscle Your mention of moving furniture, and no other symptoms of heart disease except pain in the muscle. How long has the pain occurred? Has it become more or less severe over time?
6) How would you know if it's your heart?
It can be difficult or even impossible to tell what's causing chest pain. Be on the lookout for these heart-related warning signs:
* Sudden pressure, tightening, squeezing or crushing pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes
* Pain spreading to the back, neck, jaw, shoulders or arms — especially the left arm
* Chest discomfort accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness or nausea
* Pressure or tightness in the chest during physical activity or when you're under emotional stress
Read more about this at Mayo Clinic site.
Please know that with all of the health information out there, online and TV, it is overwhelming and we all can feel a sense of "doom & gloom". I know if I see a few particular ads on TV on heart disease awareness or stroke prevention, that just the mere mention of symptoms makes me do a quick "body scan". Have you ever heard someone on TV ask if they have a shortness of breath, and then all the sudden you become more aware of your breathing?
Lastly, just because you are young does not mean that your symptoms are not real. Just keep writing them down, and it is important that if you have any changes in symptoms...or if your chest pain worsens...that you tell your parents or go to the doctor/ER.
You are doing an excellent job in gathering information, and please remember that people can have chest pain without it being a cardiac event (heart-related).
February 1, 2009 - 10:58amThis Comment
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