I sometimes have a really sharp pain below my left breast area. It comes and goes for just a few minutes then usually goes away. The pain can be anywhere from just an ache to sharp pins and needles feeling that even hurts too bad to take a breath.
Does anyone else have these weird pains?
I have mvp but I don't know if it is related to it.
To kind of describe where the pain is its left side of my chest, over to the left kind of on my side under my left breast.

i just came to these boards for the same exact problem.
i get that pain whenever i get really angry or really sad and upset. and sometimes for no reason.

i''m actually not sure what it is so i cant really help http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/redface.gif\
but if you find anything at all out about it let me know.
because its scaring me. hah
-Jackie

Hi,
I had those kind of pains back in Oct of 02. Went to the ER and had all kinds of tests. They gave me nitroglycerine which helped the pain. I was at the ER for like 7 hours when they decided to send me to a larger hospital(by helicopter). It was very scarey! I spent 5 days at that hospital while they did more testing and kept me on a moniter. My left main artery showed to have 30% blockage so my heart was not getting enough oxygen-which they diagnosed as angina. They said 30% was not enough blackage for them to do a stent. So I was sent home with a prescription of nitro-have only had to use it like 5 times since then. I have unstable angina because it happens while at rest or upon exurtion. Was now told to take a baby aspirin a day. Oh I am a 44 year old female-just in case you wanted to know.
Good luck and both of you should get checked.
B-Jean

The chest pain is mainly due to blockages. Blockages can happen even if your total cholestrol is between 150 and 200. And I am in this range and hence take baby asprin (81 mg)caoted daily to decreases such pains. But more importantly, we all need to decrease the cholestrol less than 150.

For many people there are warning signs that the blood supply to the heart muscle is becoming poor. These warning signs can appear long before any permanent heart damage, a heart attack, occurs. One of these warning signs is 'angina'. Angina is the pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle isn't getting enough oxygen from the blood to meet its needs. Like a heart attack, angina pain can involve the chest, neck, jaw, shoulders, arms and back, but it is relieved quickly by rest, or sometimes by medications such as nitroglycerine, and no permanent heart damage occurs. In addition, some people become aware that the blood supply to their heart is reduced because they begin to have shortness of breath or unusual tiredness when doing activities they used to find easy.
At first, angina pain may only happen during times when the heart has to work harder. For example, during exercise, when out in cold weather or extreme heat, following a large meal or during periods of increased excitement or stress. As the blood flow through the 'coronary arteries' (the arteries that supply the needs of the heart - see diagram below) continues to decrease, however, angina may begin to occur at rest as well.

Angina pain usually occurs as a result of gradual narrowing and hardening of the coronary arteries (atherosclerosis), but may also occur as a result of a blood clot, spasms in the arteries, rapid heart rate or irregularities in the heart beat (arrhythmias).

Symptoms of angina may include:

an uncomfortable squeezing, fullness, pressure or pain in the centre of the chest
pain involving your neck, jaw, shoulders, arms and back. This pain may have spread from the chest area or may occur in one of these areas independently.
the pain you experience may be mild or severe
sweating or clamminess of the skin
weakness
pale or bluish colored skin
shortness of breath
nausea or vomiting
feeling like you have indigestion
dizziness or lightheadedness
a feeling of anxiety for no obvious reason.
If you have never had angina pain before, do not assume that it is angina and not a heart attack (even if the pain goes away).

- Stop any activity you are doing.
- Dial 911 to obtain immediate medical attention.
- Sit or lie down and try to relax.
- Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

The diagnosis of angina (as opposed to a heart attack) is made based on the results of a physical exam, an electrocardiogram and blood tests (See - 'Common Heart Tests). If you have angina, the tests may show that the heart isn't getting quite enough oxygen, but that no permanent heart damage has occurred. In other cases, however, the initial tests may appear normal. With further testing, the changes associated with angina may show up. Often angina is diagnosed based on the results of a 'cardiac stress test' (an electrocardiogram done while your heart is working harder because you are walking on a treadmill).

If it is determined that you have angina, you can work with your doctor(s) to improve or prevent worsening of the blood and oxygen supply to your heart by:

stopping nicotine exposure. If you smoke, are exposed to second hand smoke or use nicotine containing products, such as chewing tobacco, snuff or nicotine gum or patches, you will need to STOP. Nicotine makes blood vessels narrow and reduces the amount of oxygen carried by the blood.
avoiding sudden, excessive physical exertion. This seems to be particularly true of exertion that involves the arms (e.g. shovelling snow).
beginning a regular moderate exercise program, such as walking, under the careful guidance of your doctor.
not over exerting yourself in extremely hot or cold temperatures.
avoiding or learning to deal constructively with situations that you find stressful. (See - 'Managing Stress')
avoiding large heavy meals. Eat smaller amounts of food more frequently or make sure to rest following a larger meal.
losing some weight, if you are overweight.
learning to use nitroglycerin (as prescribed by your doctor) to:
increase the blood flow to your heart
to prevent angina attacks (if you know a certain activity will cause angina)
to relieve the pain of an angina attack.

Nitroglycerine causes the arteries in your body (including the coronary arteries) to widen -- this improves the blood flow to your heart. Nitroglycerine can be given as a small tablet under the tongue or a spray under the tongue to work immediately. It can also be used as skin patches or sustained-release tablets. Nitroglycerine patches or sustained-release tablets allow a small amount of nitroglycerine to be absorbed into the blood stream all throughout the day. People using the skin patches or sustained-release tablets may also require nitroglycerine tablets or spray under the tongue on occasion to relieve symptoms of angina should it occur. If you have questions about the use of nitroglycerine for the treatment and prevention of angina, discuss them with your doctor(s) and pharmacist.

I have had 3 years experience with heart disease and unstable angina. Also 3 years of research. What I have found is that almost all angina is *not* a sharp pain.
It is a aching, squeezing and pressure type pain. What you are describing sounds like pluresy. Look it up on the Internet and see if it fits you.
Good Luck

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