Ask a doctor on the topic of Internal medicine

Pain behind the breastbone Angina Pectoris or Bws?

April 28, 2019 | 20,00 EUR | answered by MD Felix Aaslepp

Good day,
I am a 36-year-old male with approximately 20kg overweight and no other pre-existing conditions. Blood pressure averages 130/80. Lately, I have occasionally experienced slight pain behind the sternum. These pains are located behind the sternum, do not radiate, and are described as mild and dull. They cannot be provoked during intense exercise on my ergometer up to a heart rate of 170.
When they occur sporadically, even while lying down, they last for several seconds to 1-3 minutes. They are not affected by movement.
According to my research, the symptoms of Angina Pectoris are of a different nature. They are described as constricting, as if a weight is on the chest. On a pain scale of 1-10, I would rate my pain as 1-2. There is no paleness, fear, or shortness of breath present.

Am I correct in assuming that the cause of my symptoms is more likely to be related to the spine or muscles?

MD Felix Aaslepp

Hello!
As you describe the symptoms, I would also lean towards a musculo-skeletal cause. A feeling of pressure from the stomach can also radiate into the chest. Recurring tightness coming from the heart would be more likely to occur during exertion.
However, a definitive exclusion of the heart as the cause can only be achieved through further tests. I recommend that you have the symptoms promptly evaluated by your primary care physician. This will ultimately confirm your suspicion and put your mind at ease. Furthermore, the actual problem can be treated promptly.
I wish you all the best!