I tend to get pain on the left side of my chest time to time, can you explain what and why this is?

I’m sorry, but I cannot explain this. No one can, really, over the internet and without seeing you. There are many things that might cause this – some serious, some not. You need to see a medical professional.

Does it hurt when you cough? Is it associated with coughing?

I get the same thing. Sometimes it will last a long time and sometimes I won’t feel it for weeks.

It could be a pulled or strained muscle in your shoulder or back that is effecting (affecting? I never get that right!) a nerve causing pain in your chest. My husband gets this sometimes. However, why you’re having this pain, I don’t know.

@tedibear that’s what I blame for my pain as well.

@Male Well, yes after a cough there is a pain on the way when you breathe back in. It’s not excruciating pain, it’s highly manageable. But as @judochop has said, it comes and goes! @tedibear I do have a slight pain in the back when I sit on my chair from time to time (upper right side back pain)

I think it is just a muscle in the chest also.

Were you lifting anything heavy recently? Do you work out with weights?

@JLeslie Nope. If it helps anyone, when I press on it with a finger, it does alleviate the pain.

@whitetigress I had exactly the same thing—went to the ER 3 times and was hooked up to the cardio machine each time with no results. My doctor finally diagnosed this. Apparently, when under stress, the muscles and cartilage round my rib cage will flare up with pain. It helps to press down on it, just like you said, and is very localized.

I can’t say for sure you have the same thing—like others said, only a doctor can check you out for that, but it might help to ask them to check your muscles and cartilage before putting you through costly cardio tests.

@linguaphile I’ve often wondered if they were heart palpitations or warnings of a heart attack! But it’s too far to the left and I’m only 24, fair blood pressure and work out regularly. Of course, since still stopped last week, I’ve had plenty of time to eat this last week…

@whitetigress My cousin had an open-heart at 40 so, yes, it scared the beejeebies out of me—which is why I had 3 cardio tests done. Get it checked out anyway just to be sure—

@linguaphile Are you of Jewish decent?

@whitetigress Not at all. Almost 100% UK with a pinch of Native American and dash of German.

I think it is heart trauma, but I have major shoulder issues, so if I wake up, not dead, it’s a decent day.

@linguaphile Well I plan to go vegetarian next year, and I’ll get checked out near the 9th! Thanks all for everything.