This chest pain condition feels like a heart attack but isn't
If you've ever experienced sudden chest pain that feels like a heart attack, you might have encountered costochondritis, a condition that mimics heart attack symptoms but isn’t as severe.
What is Costochondritis?Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage where your ribs connect to your breastbone.
It’s often felt as sharp or aching pain in the chest, which can sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack. The pain may worsen with movement, deep breathing, or pressure on the chest.
Why It Happens: The exact cause is often unknown, but it can result from physical activity, trauma, or even infections.
In some cases, repetitive movement or injury to the chest can trigger inflammation in the costal cartilage.
How It Differs from a Heart Attack:While the pain from a heart attack is usually more intense and radiates to other parts of the body, costochondritis is localized and doesn’t spread.
A heart attack often comes with other symptoms like shortness of breath or dizziness, which aren't typical of costochondritis.