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Warning-sign checks

Costochondritis: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help for chest pain that is severe, unexplained, or accompanied by:

    • Pressure, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest
    • Shortness of breath, fainting, marked weakness, or confusion
    • Sweating, nausea, or vomiting
    • Pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, jaw, neck, or back
    • Coughing up blood
    • A very fast or irregular heartbeat
    • Sudden chest pain with breathing difficulty

    Do not rely on tenderness or a previous costochondritis diagnosis to rule out an emergency.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Prompt medical assessment is appropriate if you develop fever, redness, warmth, visible swelling, a new lump, or pain after a significant chest injury.

    These features are not typical of uncomplicated costochondritis.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medical appointment if chest pain is new, keeps returning, lasts longer than expected, or is affecting sleep and daily activity.

    You should also seek review if pain treatment is not helping or you need it frequently.

The article also says

Heart attack symptoms are not always dramatic and can differ from person to person.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Costochondritis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.