Occasionally, I feel a slight pain in the chest where my heart is when I breathe in, as if my heart is being squeezed and as if there is a lack of room in my chest cavity and something (my ribs maybe?) is poking on my heart.  Is this normal?
211296
It's probably bad heartburn. I felt like there was a bubble stuck in my heart and I was worried too. Turned out to be heartburn. Zantec 75 or 150 works great.
578237
Please have your heart checked out. I had the same symptoms and they told me in the ER it was indigestion. I had a heart attack.
190428
CHEST PAIN IS NOTHING TO BE QUESTIONED. Never ignore chest pain or shortness of breath. You need to go to an E.R. and get any possible problems ruled out. If they do find that you have had a cardiac event, they will assign a cardiologist, and you need to follow up with him/her upon release. They will tell you when they want to see you.\n\nDO NOT delay in this.\nPAY ATTENTION to C.SCHUMACL. Never seek medical help, of any kind, online.  This can be dangerous. Only medical professionals with a good knowledge in CARDIOLOGY, should  be responding at all. I would never go outside of my medical specialty unless I had the knowledge to do so. Most of these answers are well intentioned. People are trying to help, but they also need to understand why these comments are so important. \nGood luck.\n\nGRIZZ
302068
I had that once....hmmmm...let me look.\n\n After ruling out more serious cardiac problems, other causes of rib cage pain can include osteoporosis, costochondritis (inflammation in the cartilages where the ribs join the breastbone) or pleurisy (swelling of the linings of the lung).
676175
You're chances are VERY low!  I'm sure you're fine.  You might have some heartburn or a little high anxiety.  That is the usual cause of chest pain, etc.  Just relax.  If it's really driving you crazy, go to your GP and have them do some tests on your heart and blood pressure for some peace of mind.  If you quit smoking, that's a step in the right direction!
301579
you should see your doctor to rule out something serious. They will make sure it's not your heart.
649412
Best bet is to go to the ER when this happens....also there are a few other things that it could be ....but there are many things that go into diagnosing a heart attack....cardiac enzymes,ekg's physical symptoms....but just from the little that you describe it doesnt sound cardiac in nature....what are you doing when this happens?Does the pain move around or change when you change positions? Are you under stress?What is your age??If you're in your 20's for example  its highly unlikely that its cardiac at all though it can happen...There is also a esophageal problem that can mimic a heart attack or feeling of one...best thing to do is go to the ER or call 911 when this happens....the only way to definitively tell if you are having a cardiac event is by many tests including labwork,ekg's,stress tests etc....so next time it happens instead of coming here and asking the question  call 911....
634533
Its a very good possiblilty that it is a pinched nerve, most likely somewhere in your neck or shoulder.  This is the most likely reason for the numbness, unless you experience chest pain or tightness i would rule out any heart related issues.
595679
during a panic attack your intercoastal muscles that attach your sternum to your ribs tighten - can almost mimic a heart attack
636873
you should get a medical opinion for a question such as this.  I get the same thing but mine is acid reflux disease.  My husband on the other hand had  the same pain and turns out that the fluid between his ribs and chest wall was not there any more.  He thought he was having a heart attack.  so you see if could be a number of things.  I would get to a Dr. real soon.
118818
It could be your heart. I would see a doctor to sort it out.
630283
Yes this could be from anxiety. The light headedness, and excess swallowing from nervousness, and the shortness of breath from possibly hyperventilating from too much worry about the situation. Id say mild panic attack but the chest pressure with light headedness could mean worse. Id get an ekg and " get it off your chest".
349347
It could be a chest infection, see a doctor..;
657204
I had a bout of pleurisy that gave me similar symptoms. The symptoms can include:\nFever \nCough \nChills \nShortness of breath \nWeight loss \nPoor appetite \nSharp chest pain with breathing. Pain can limit the movement on the side of the chest with pleurisy. The pain can also be in the back around where the lungs are. \nRapid shallow breaths \nInability to take a deep breath \nItching in sites on the back (near the site of the lungs, but no visible rashes) \n\nSince the symptoms are similar to a heart attack, I urge you to see a doctor for evaluation. An EKG can rule out the heart attack pretty quickly.
189447
Please see a doctor.  Yes, it could be something besides cardiac problems - and that is very, very likely.  But in some people, especially females, heart attacks don't follow a "traditional" pattern of clutching your chest and dropping to the floor.  Nobody can make a diagnosis online, not even a doctor.  Odds are, it's nothing to get worked up about - but please see a doctor to be sure.
571107
Yes you should find out the cause of these pains , then you can decide if you need to worry. If you dont find out the cause then I am going to worry. I have had several sucessful heart attacks, Angioplasty , and quadrupal Bipass Surgary . I am now 64 years old , my first heart attack was when I was 45 but I know many people who have had them when they were much younger. You should know that one of every three people who have heart attacks have little or no warning except sudden death. Dont worry ...Just do somthing!!!
233738
Without doing medical testing, it would be impossible to tell what was happening with your heart.  However, from the description you gave, it sounds as though it could have been an episode of something called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), in which the right atrium, or upper chamber, of your heart, spontaneously generates an inappropriately rapid electrical signal, stimulating the heart to beat in excess of 150 bpm.  This may or may not be what was happening when you felt your heart beating rapidly.  Regardless, you need to tell your parents or guardian and go get it checked out.    Sometimes the types of symptoms you're describing are difficult to diagnose, because by the time the person is at the ER, frequently it has subsided. Nonetheless, depending on what, if anything, is actually wrong with you, these things can persist and get worse, with the episodes lasting longer until they cause the person other side effects such as chest pain, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, etc.  Please tell your parents and go get it checked out, just to be on the safe side.