I'm a 23 yo female who is overweight-about 75 lbs-but has never had any health problems. My cholesterol and blood pressure has always been normal. In just the past few weeks, throughout the day I get these sharp chest pains. It intensifies if I take a deep breath and it usually only lasts less than a minute. I can't determine any pattern as to when it happens. I can go days without it, but then sometimes a few times a day. I did notice that there's been 2 occassions when I intentionally took a huge deep breath and it seemed like there was a "pop" and the pain was immediately gone. Of course I'm fearing the worse and to be quite honest, even though I am going to the doctor in less than a month for my annual, I am quite embarrassed that I could be this young if I do have a heart problem. Does anyone know what else this could be? Thanks

I'm a 23 yo female who is overweight-about 75 lbs-but has never had any health problems. My cholesterol and blood pressure has always been normal. In just the past few weeks, throughout the day I get these sharp chest pains. It intensifies if I take a deep breath and it usually only lasts less than a minute. I can't determine any pattern as to when it happens. I can go days without it, but then sometimes a few times a day. I did notice that there's been 2 occassions when I intentionally took a huge deep breath and it seemed like there was a "pop" and the pain was immediately gone. Of course I'm fearing the worse and to be quite honest, even though I am going to the doctor in less than a month for my annual, I am quite embarrassed that I could be this young if I do have a heart problem. Does anyone know what else this could be? Thanks
The pain you describe is what we term as "pleuritic" ...i.e. worse with breathing. Given its character and the fact it comes and goes, it's unlikely to be a heart problem. Have you had any recent colds or illnesses? Any shortness of breath associated with the pain? Any calf pain? Recent pneumonia? Are you on the pill? Do you smoke?

Most really bad things are unlikely in you, and the most likely cause is some kind of chest wall strain....i.e from lifting or exercising.

Hi five,
I agree with butterflytrans. It's unlikely that it's a heart problem. When my asthma flares up (with a lot of coughing) I get the same thing as you do. POP! It's gone. :) I think it's a muscle spasm.