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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Costochondritis is the most common cause of chest pain originating in the chest wall.
Symptoms include:
- Pain and tenderness in the locations where your ribs attach to your breastbone (costosternal joints)
- Often sharp pain, though also dull and gnawing pain
- Location often on left side of breastbone, but possible on either side of chest
Other costochondritis symptoms may include:
- Pain when taking deep breaths
- Pain when coughing
- Difficulty breathing
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment to see your doctor if self-care measures aren't helping your pain or if your pain is worsening.
Costochondritis pain is often mistaken for heart attack pain. The pain of a heart attack is often more widespread, while costochondritis pain is focused on a small area. Heart attack pain usually feels as if it's coming from under your breastbone, while costochondritis pain seems to come from the breastbone itself. Heart attack pain may worsen with physical activity or stress, while the pain of costochondritis remains constant.
Don't waste time, though, trying to distinguish between the two if you're experiencing unexplained and persistent chest pain. Chest pain is an emergency — seek medical attention right away.
- Proulx AM, et al. Costochondritis: Diagnosis and treatment. American Family Physician. 2009;80:617.
- Mercier LR. Costochondritis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/173904979-4/924114114/2088/162.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00012-5--sc0235_3245. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Stulbarg MS, et al. Symptoms of respiratory disease and their management. In: Mason, RJ, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: W.B. Saunders; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/173904979-4/924114114/1288/249.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-0327-0..50033-1--cesec23_1578. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Meisel JL. Diagnostic approach to chest pain in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Phillips K, et al. Treatment of musculoskeletal pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Boulanger BL. Costochondritis. In: Garfunkel LC, et al. Pedatric Clinical Advisor. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03506-4..10078-1--s0200&uniq=174188909&isbn=978-0-323-03506-4&sid=925053234#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03506-4..10078-1%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-323-03506-4. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 5, 2009.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 4, 2009.
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