Costochondritis: chest pain that isn’t your heart

Ever felt a sharp or aching pain in the front of your chest and worried it was your heart? If the pain is reproducible when you press on your rib joints or it changes with movement, costochondritis could be the cause. It’s inflammation where the ribs meet the breastbone (the costochondral joints). It can be painful and scary, but most cases are not life-threatening.

Signs, causes, and when to get checked

Typical signs include localized chest pain on one or both sides, tenderness over the ribs, and pain that worsens with deep breaths, coughing, or certain movements. Causes are often simple: recent chest injury, heavy lifting, intense coughing from a cold, or repetitive upper-body activity. Sometimes we never find a clear trigger — it just shows up.

Always rule out heart or lung problems first. If your pain is sudden, crushing, spreads to your arm or jaw, comes with fainting, shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea, seek emergency care. If pain is new but not severe, make an appointment so a clinician can listen to your history and exam for signs that point to costochondritis rather than a cardiac issue.

Diagnosis and simple treatments that help

Doctors usually diagnose costochondritis by exam — pressing on the chest to reproduce the pain. Imaging (X-rays, CT) or blood tests are not needed unless they suspect another condition. Treatment focuses on easing inflammation and protecting the joint while it heals.

At-home steps that help right away: rest from the activity that caused the pain, use over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen if you can take them, apply heat or cold packs for 15–20 minutes several times a day, and avoid heavy lifting or repetitive upper-body movements. Gentle stretching and posture fixes often reduce pressure on the chest wall.

If pain persists, a doctor may suggest stronger pain relief, a short steroid course (for severe inflammation), or an injection into the painful joint in rare cases. Physical therapy can teach you exercises to improve posture and reduce flare-ups. For chronic or recurring cases, tracking activities that trigger pain helps you avoid them.

Most people improve in a few weeks to months. Patience matters — the cartilage can be slow to settle down. If your symptoms get worse or you develop new worrying signs (fever, spreading redness, fever, increasing shortness of breath), return to care right away.

Want practical next steps? Start with easy self-care: avoid the movement that hurts, try heat or ice, and consider NSAIDs for a short time. If pain doesn’t improve in two weeks or you’re unsure about the cause, see your clinician for a focused exam and a plan tailored to your situation.