Posted 12/19/2008 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm new here and I'm hoping to gain some knowledge about my symptoms. For the past month, I have been feeling some strong and sharp chest pains near where the heart is located and this has frightened me. When I first noticed it, I immediately went to the doctor and got checked out. I had an EKG done and it came back normal. I have normal blood pressure, I'm in shape (actually a little on the skinny side - 5'5" and 120 lbs, and I'm 24 years of age), and I have no family history of any cardiovascular problems. Last week, I had a physical done and a chest x-ray. Doctor said I have mild case of COPD/asthma. I don't smoke either, so i don't know how I could have COPD; he just noticed my bronchial tubes blocked with spaces of air. I was relieved to hear this and he pushed the issue that my heart is perfect, though I'm a hypochondriac. He put me on an albuterol inhaler, so he must not think it's serious, but while I'm at work, they bother me almost the whole time. I get very nervous and sometimes feel like it could be a heart attack, even though the doctor has twice told me I'm fine. He ruled out pleurisy or pericarditis, and I can't seem to figure it out. Am I just being a hypochondriac, or might I have something more serious? I did have bronchitis a year ago, and where I live the air quality is not good, but I've been living here for years. The pains go away temporarily, but when they return, I get scared, and I don't want to make multiple trips to the ER, especially if what I have is not serious. I've already made a few trips to the doctor and urgent care. Please, any insight will be helpful, and I thank you in advance for the help!