What Causes Sharp Fleeting Chest Pain Triggered By A Deep Breath During Exercise?

Posted on Wed, 12 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 Answered on

Tue, 1 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I was exercising today and I took a really deep breath and that caused a short stabbing pain in the centre of my chest last lasted 1 second. I've had this similar pain before during exertion. Stress Test was done in 2 years ago after this first happened to rule out any cardio causes. What would cause sharp fleeting chest pain triggered by a deep breath during exercise? Nothing I have read says this could be heart related just looking for a second opinion.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer: Pain due to muscular/pulmonary problems... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your query and understood your concerns. The sharp fleeting chest pain triggered by a deep breath during exercise is more alike to a muscular pain or due to pulmonary problems. I suggest to do - chest X-ray and spirometry (respiratory function test) to rule out pulmonary problems. - and ct-scan of the spine, thoracic-lumbar section If everything is ok, then, most probably it is a muscular pain due to exhaustion. Dr.Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar