Heart pain when breathing in

by Paul
(Melrose,MA, US)

I am 16 years old, and for the past month started off feeling like breathing tightly, then a few days later my chest start hurting. As days went on my back start aching legs start hurting. I got more nervous and anxious about what’s wrong with me. I went to the doctor and had a chest x-ray done and a lung function test. Everything came out normal. I told my doctor that I still feel like that and they said that I’m probably worrying about something (anxiety) and that I need a behavioural doctor. A few days ago while I was working suddenly, I got this sudden heart pain that scared me, making me feel like I had a mini heart attack. From that day when I still breathe in I feel like my heart is hurting when I breathe in. Do teens get heart problems or is this just a chest pain that I am mistaking as a heart problem. My doctor says I am too young to be having heart problems, but yet I feel like I get these sometimes. I also got light-headed a few times feeling like I’m in a dream. Is this all because of stress? I have been worrying a lot over the past weeks making myself feel worse.

Chest Pains In A 16 year Old

I suspect that your doctor is probably right. You have had some basic tests and these are normal. You are 16 years old and whilst certain heart problems can occur at any age, you are not going to have any significant coronary heart disease.

The only condition you might like to discuss with your doctor is the possibility of pulmonary embolic disease or PE. These are blood clots to the lung that can cause pain and breathlessness. However, if this has been excluded, I suspect your doctor is on the right line with suggesting a behavioural doctor.




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