What causes the left side of the chest to feel heavy and painful?
Patient: Hello, I've been having alot of problems with my chest.. for example when I wake up in the morning and sit up the whole left side of my chest is incredibly heavy and hurts alot. I get sharp pains at the same time. I get heart palpitations nearly everyday and my heart seems to thump agaisnt my chest alot of the time. If i put my shoulders back i feel pressure on the left side of my chest. Im not entirely sure but my heart seems to go from beating quickly then slow down alot of the time. Im always fatigued, weak etc. I get sudden dull aches in my pressure points in my wrist/hands/feet that come out of nowhere and leaves me with no energy afterwards. Doctor: Hi thanks for your question.Let me know you do you have hypertension or positive cardiac history ??First to rule out heart problems do ECG of chest there might be fibrillation present that can lead it.The palpitation could also be physiological.In increased metabolic activity palpitation can occured like fever, hyperthyroid etc.After rulling out cardiac problem move toward musculoskeletal pain.Note you have pain esp after getting up.So it might be by improper sleep posture.sleep in supine position rather then lateral.By heavy exercise or heavy weight lifting muscular strain can occur.simple analgesic taken.If ribs are tender to touch then costochondritis or ribs osteoporosis like changes secondary to calcium or vitamin D deficiency might be suspected.Try to avoid stress.I hope these suggestions will help you a lot.Dr.Parth goswami