Costochondritis - Is it Heart Disease or Costochondritis

Costochondritis is a Mild Condition and Easy to Treat

(LifeWire) - Worried about chest pain?

It's wise to be alert to the possibility of heart disease or a heart attack, but keep in mind that the cause just might be costochondritis, which is painful, but usually harmless and a condition you've probably never heard of before now.

Pain, tenderness and soreness near the breastbone (usually on the upper left side) are symptoms, and the pain gets worse if you stretch or apply pressure to the sensitive area. Inflamed cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone is the cause.

But it's critically important that a doctor diagnose your condition as soon as possible. The absence of other symptoms -- like pain that spreads out ("radiates") to the neck or arms, numbness, fever and chills -- will help rule out heart attack.

What caused the inflammation is often never discovered, but injury to the chest muscles (in contact sports, for instance) or an infection developed while suffering from a cold or the flu are frequent culprits. Women, and especially those over 40, are more likely than others to develop this condition.

Treatment is simple: Reduce the pain and rest. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug like Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) may be prescribed -- or Tylenol (acetaminophen) if you can't tolerate NSAIDs. Corticosteroid injections are also a possibility.

To help yourself:

• Stop doing whatever makes the pain worse.
• Use a heating pad several times a day.
• Slowly return to regular activities.
• Stretch before exercising.

Costochondritis usually clears up in a week or two if you follow prescribed treatment.

Read here about the many causes of chest pain.

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