lower left chest pain (figured pcs), intense for 3+hrs, now short of breath
The pain began yesterday afternoon while driving... I took ib & naprox and it dulled for the evening. I woke this morning with more of an ache, but pain when I cough or sneeze. I figured on precordial catch yesterday, but today I also fee like someone is sitting on my chest. I can take deep a deep breath but the pain does increase on my side (just below bra line on left lower chest). I'm a healthy 34 yr old woman.
Hello mack,
Chest pain is always a concerning symptom, regardless of age; you should be evaluated by your physician.
Chest pain associated with shortness of breath that is worstened with deep inspiration could be caused by several different common conditions. The least serious of these could be inflammation of the joints of ribs, or costochondritis; this condition can be caused by the overuse of the muslces between the ribs. The ibuprofen and naproxen you have taken should certainly help this type of pain.
A serious cause of this pain could be something called a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in your lung. An embolism would be more likely if you have a history of blood clots or clotting disease or on contraceptives (they make your blood slightly more likely to clot).
There are, of course, many other reasons for chest pain. Only an examination by a physician can determine the cause of your pain. Tell your if you pain is positional (relieved or aggrivated by lying in a different positions), if you've recently had trauma to your chest wall where you feel the pain, if you or anyone in your family has a history of blood clots, or if you are taking contraceptives.
To your health,
Neil MD
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