HomeAnswersCardiologychest painMy doctor suggested I may have chondritis. Please suggest.

What is the difference between heart attack and costochondritis chest pain?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At June 26, 2017
Reviewed AtFebruary 18, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am 21 years old, and I visited my GP today, who thinks that I may have chondritis. I just have a question regarding the difference between this and heart attacks. The pain has been varying from the right side of my left pectoral to the left side of my left pectoral muscle. Being fairly young, this had made be worry a lot. Please help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Firstly, to begin with, the probability of heart attack is very less at this age. Costochondritis pain will increases on applying pressure over the area, if yes, it could be costochondritis. This is the most important sign of costochondritis. Heart attack pain will be very severe on the left side, which is associated with radiating pain to the left arm and a lot of sweating. It will not last more than 24 to 48 hours in severe heart attack and more than 20 minutes in a minor heart attack. Do you have upper abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, burping, increase in pain on food, sour water feeling in throat or chest burning? If yes, it can be gastritis and reflux disease. Does this pain increases on deep breathing, coughing, etc.? If yes, it can be a pain arising from the lining of lungs and may be due to smoking or viral infection. To clear your doubt, you can get an ECG (electrocardiogram) done. Overall, I do not think it to be a cardiac pain. Hope this helps you and get back if you have any doubts.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode
Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Cardiology

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