Ok, so I have to admit I was going to phone the BHF nurses, today, but didnt because I had such a cr*p nights sleep. So this is my second MVR, so in a way I know the general aches and pains, but one is not going away... I expect the usual pectoral, shoulder girdle, lat/trap muscular pain and sternum issues.. but... ever since my op I have a stabbing pain right under my rib cage above the heart, it comes and goes and gets worse on deep breathing. Its a kind of pericarditis pain, which I have had lots of in the past two years and very direct, i can put my finger right on it. being so specific Im not worried that is is a 'big problem'. for a while I wondered if I had a cracked rib or the muscle had detached??? its very odd and a new one for me.... thoughts??
Chest stabby pain: Ok, so I have to... - British Heart Fou...
Chest stabby pain
Would it be Costochondritis?
Interesting! Thanks, you learn something new every day 
looks like rest and time will resolve it anyway, but I will mention it to my consultant next month. Thanks
Since you mention it as being similar to pericarditis pain, it would be a good idea to report it now rather than wait until next month (unless by next month you mean next week).
Pericarditis pain usually presents in all the old familiar places but sometimes it likes to play hide and seek and move to a new spot - I've had similar pain in the very location you mention as the new spot for chest pain and it turned out to be (not to alarm you, but...) an especially severe acute flare of my recurrent pericarditis - an acute flare it took me nearly a year to clear.
See if you can get into someone's in-person exam room for a chest listen - it could be pleurisy, costo, or a flare of the pericarditis. Sooner checked sooner mended. Keep us posted!
Thankyou, yes I have had recurring pericarditis every 4-6 months for the past two years. Its early days since this new valve has been fitted, I have a consultant appointment back at my normal hospital soon-ish (no idea when it will be all things considered - technically next week) My doctors are a nightmare at the moment, so thats a no-go! The strange thing is this time it has an exact location, I can put my finger on the rib (above my heart) that hurts. If you told me a rib had been broken right above my heart I would agree... maybe since its early days 5 weeks, things just need to settle down.... Thanks 
