I'm really worried. Does this sound like a heart problem or muscle strain?

I've been sick with a sinus infection. I went to the doctor last Thurs & was prescribed amoxil & told to take antihistamine. I haven't done any hard physical activities for 2 weeks. Sunday I was feeling a lot better and was moving furniture around. Monday, I was aching at my shoulders and chest. The aches started to fade except for a pain in the left side of my chest. The pain in my chest kept coming and going all day. When I woke up Tues & started moving around, the pain in my chest came back. I started worrying & called a friend who's been a RN for 30 years. I descibed things & she said it sounds like I strained the muscle. It's been 3 hrs since I talked to her. Now, when I start to feel the pain in my chest, I'm feeling light headed too. I haven't taken any medicine in about 6 hours, so I don't think it's that. I took my pulse & it's 82/min. Am I worrying for nothing or is something really wrong? Also, I had blood work done 2 months ago & the results were normal. I'm 30 years old.

spooky, i have the exact symptoms you're describing. About a week ago i started getting a dull ache in the top left of my chest. After a couple of days of getting quite panicked i went to see a doctor. He listened to my heart and breathing and said it was all fine and that it is probably a muscle strain. I still have the ache though its not as bad as it was. Ive been taking 2 ibuprofen tablets 3 times a day, like the doc told me too, and (fingers crossed) the ache is slowly subsiding.

Its quite likely that you have the same thing. I would definitely recommend going to see the doc though, as you're always better safe than sorry, but try not to worry too much. I know what its like to have an unexplainable pain in a sensitive area like near your heart, but people always fear the worst when something like this happens.

You need to remember that you were moving furniture around, so its quite possible you pulled the muscle then. Also, as for the heartbeat and light-headedness, my heartbeat has also increased since i got the ache. Not sure why this is, but remember if you're worrying about this its quite possible that the increased heart rate and dizziness could be the result of the stress and anxiety you're feeling.

In summary, make sure to go see the doctor if only to set your mind at ease, take some ibuprofen (as this is an anti-inflammatory unlike paracetamol which thins the blood) but most of all try not to worry too much about it. Im sure you'll be fine.

It is probably muscle strain. But if you are that concerned, see you family doctor. Better safe than sorry.

I get this too. I have had a lot of very normal EKGs and normal blood work too. There are muscles surrounding your chest by your heart, and you can exert them just by everyday activities unknowingly. If you are really concerned, go back to the doctor, and please go if the pain is sharp or stabbing. BTW 82 bpm is not abnormal for a females heart rate.

If you've been sick for the last two weeks; then your body is pretty week right now. Especially since you haven't been doing much physical stuff. My guess is that you pull some muscles. Since it was a day later that you felt that ache after moving furniture, I bet your body is just sore. It you were having heart problems you would be feeling more like indigestions, belching, heartburn-type symptoms. Don't take my word for it though, I am certainly not a doctor, but it sounds like a pulled muscle - they are painful. If it has dissipated today any, I guarantee that's what it was.

You need a cardiologist to do a walking stress test.
They will monitor your reactions and may be able to save your life.
I get arithmia from a heart that likes to 'shake' but be careful, you can create a history that can keep you from buying a house, since heart problems make you uninsurable.

I had a heart attack in 2002 and I can give somewhat of a heads up on this. First off if you are taking antihistamines it will raise your heart rate. If the pain is only in the left side and not in the right, but more in the small of the chest area, then I would say that it is more than likely muscle strain, but if the chest pain is in the small of the chest and in the neck, shoulder, and left arm and is continuous it might not be a bad idea to get it checked. I'm not trying to scare you, but if you are having trouble breathing, that is another bad sign. If you feel like these are not your symptoms, calm down and relax. It might be advisable for you to discuss the symptoms of a heart attack with your doctor or look it up on line. Go to The AmericanHeartAssociation.com and bone up on heart attacks. One other thing to keep in mind is that everyone doesn't have exactly the same symptoms when they have an attack, so what I have told you may not completely apply to you or Joe Blow down the street, but the symptoms are very much similar. Good luck.