PLEASE HELP! Urgent bad pains - think it might be my heart?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

How have they gotten more regular if they are happening randomly? I would go to your provider to get an EKG just to make sure all is well. Most likely yes, its heartburn. Is there any food that your eating before these episodes? really look into your diet, any alcohol? Citrus? Garlic or hot foods? I highly doubt it has anything to do with muscle problems. I AM a real healthcare provider and as such, I would never tell you to take any medication without knowing your history first. If it was something repeditive that you were doing that made your muscles sore, Im pretty sure you would know about it. And if it was a problem in your heart muscle (myocardium, endocardium) you would be having arrythmias, or other issues that would be easily visible on an EKG (LVH, RVH, Abnormal sinus rhythm, QRS interval, ST elevation, etc) And age does not disclude somebody from heart issues. But most likely its heartburn, or GERD (acid reflux) You have no idea how many open heart surgeries have been done because of GERD! The pain is very similar, side effects are what is different. If you feel any pain radiating elsewhere (down your left arm, shoulder, jaw) shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, level of consciousness changes, call 911 and get help. BTW keep in mind where your heart actually is, far left side of your chest, the apex of it actually attaches to your 5th rib on the left side, so thats usually where the pain starts. Good Luck!

PS: is the pain relieved by anything? Water, milk, antacids?

HCP-PA/ER trauma

It you are under 30 (the advice would be then different), the most common cause of this could be heartburn but more commonly, muscle strain or inflammation of the chest wall and taking some motrin regularly for a few days will probably make this go away. This is caused by repetitive movements you have been doing with your arms such as physical exercise, something you do at work or lifting. If you are young, this is probably NOT your heart causing this.

Health care provider

that sounds like a heartburn... try taking a medicine for that! hope i helped!