Hello Doctor,
I've been dealing with an upper chest pain for almost a year now. It feels more like a strained muscle rather than something deeper. The pain gets worse after working out, especially with chest or upper body exercises, but sometimes I even wake up with the pain after sleeping. It's not constant, but it flares up often enough to bother me. I'm not sure what exactly is causing it or who I should see first. Could this be something muscular, or should I be worried about something more serious? What type of doctor should I go to for this?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out Dr. Galen, Please find the below response to your query.
1. Your symptoms suggest a musculoskeletal issue, possibly a chronic strain or inflammation of the chest wall muscles, such as costochondritis. The fact that it worsens with training and sometimes after sleep points to overuse or poor posture during rest. However, given the duration and location of the pain, it's important to rule out cardiac, lung, or gastrointestinal causes.
2. I recommend starting with an internal medicine consultation. We can evaluate your history, perform a physical exam, and possibly order tests like an ECG or chest X-ray to rule out more serious conditions. If needed, we can refer you to a specialist such as a cardiologist or orthopedic doctor.
Thanks
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