cardiac or costochondritis pain

[Westie2012]

Does anyone get a dull ache in the left side of their chest when out walking ? The last two weeks I’ve started a new job which is at at the top of a very steep hill , I’ve been walking up it for many years as my children went to the school so the walk isn’t anything I’m not used to but I didn’t have costochondritis then plus I was a few years younger . I’ve also got a pacemaker so I’m always thinking are these chest aches just costo or anything cardiac 🤔 the pain goes away completely when I’m at the school and doesn’t radiate anywhere so I’m more convinced it’s just costo pain . It goes from a dull ache into a heavy pulling feeling that goes down towards my waist then stops completely until the next time I have to walk up the hill .

[Happyrosie]

best to get it checked out. Maybe phone 111? Or see your GP. That would set your mind at rest

[sjs1me]

Hello Westie2012, we are all different but after a clear ECG following chest pain and feeling unwell my GP told me I had costochondritis. The discomfort was not brought on by exertion but was constant. Over the next year the pain remained fairly constant and the diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by another two GPs and by my local chest pain clinic specialist nurse and a cardiologist following a stress echo. Not sure I ever really believed them but stopped pursuing. Last year, after 4 years I sought one final answer to the discomfort. A slightly anomalous ECG necessitated a visit to A&E for a tropinin test and more ECGs. A&E said I was fine and suggested it may be mild angina but thankfully referred me to our Heart unit for them to check. A discussion with a nurse from the heart unit said ECG was fine but worth doing an angiogram to categorically eliminate heart issues. In March this year I eventually had the angiogram. I saw another cardiologist in April and had CABG x4 early in June! Costochondritis my a...! Get it checked.

[Thumper76]

Hi Westie 2012. I get a similar thing. It’s like an ache right underneath my left breast. Usually if I’m walking but if I hold my left arm across my chest it’s ok? Also when I touch the bone under my breast it feels tender and eases if I rub it? Don’t know if that’s anything like you get? When I had my pacemaker put in they punctured my lung and the pain is just where the drain was put in so often wonder if it’s that. I’ve mentioned it to cardiologist who didn’t seems too bothered but going to mention it again when I ‘finally’ get to speak to him. I too get aches n pains at my pacemaker site. Hope you get answers and please let us know how you get on xx

[Vegart]

Hello, Westie2012. I did not know that I had coronary heart disease, till I got admitted to hospital in March, 2023. Three weeks before that I started to get chest pains, for the first time ever, over the weeks that progressed to happening on less steep slopes, and on the day that I went into hospital, they occurred when walking on the flat, and when resting. I ended up needing a triple CABG. So it is best that you go to A&E to get checked out.

I Ihad

[Sambobs17]

hi Westie I had to reply to you I’m like you although not got a pacemaker just been diagnosed with bradycardia and lots of PVC’s - but I have pain left hand side of chest hospital doctor said not cardiac but can’t help but worry, do you feel pain in your ribs as well? mine can radiate to my upper back - have things settled as far as the pacemaker goes? otherwise sending my best wishes to you 😊x

[theonethatgotaway1]

Sounds like it could be cardiac especially if it's from walking up hill/exercising and then settles when resting. Best get it checked