When chest pain strikes, especially if you’re prone to health anxiety, the mind often jumps straight to the heart. But more often than not, the cause is far less serious.
While there’s plenty of information online about heart attacks and cardiovascular conditions, self-diagnosing via Google can easily lead you to fear the worst.
If you’re maintaining a healthy lifestyle — with balanced eating and regular exercise — and you’re still relatively young, the odds of a heart attack are low.
So if you experience sharp chest pains that aren’t accompanied by classic warning signs like left-arm pain or shortness of breath — and the discomfort fades within minutes — there’s usually little cause for concern. In fact, anxiety itself can trigger such pains, and worrying may actually make it worse.
The most likely explanation? A condition called precordial catch syndrome (PCS), also known as Texidor’s twinge. First identified in 1893, PCS is a harmless condition that causes sudden, sharp chest pain lasting just a few minutes. It most commonly affects children aged 6 to 12 and young adults — far more than older people.
PCS typically occurs while you’re at rest, not during physical exertion, which further rules out heart-related causes.
While the exact cause is still unknown, some experts believe it may involve the chest wall or irritation of an intercostal nerve. Despite the discomfort, it’s not dangerous, and the best response is simply to breathe deeply and remind yourself you’re okay.
That said, if the pain becomes frequent or persistent, it’s always wise to consult a doctor for peace of mind.
