Chest pain that mimics a heart attack
Ask the doctor
My sister went to the emergency room because she thought she was having a heart attack, but she ended up being diagnosed with costochondritis. What is that?Possible causes include physical strain (such as heavy lifting or strenuous exercise) or trauma (such as a blow to the chest). Even severe coughing may cause costochondritis. The condition may be related to an underlying musculoskeletal condition such as arthritis or a joint infection. But in most cases, the underlying cause remains a mystery.
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