Hello Everyone. I have been worried the past couple of weeks, and have been losing sleep over it the past few days. I have recently been having sharp pains on the right and left side of my chest, it doesn't last for long and doesn't happen all that much throughout the day, but its still something to worry about. I am to scared to go to the doctors to find out the truth and I would rather just find a way where I could reduce the risk which I have started taking some precautions as of late. The pains occur under my pectorals, but I know it has to do with I believe either my lungs or heart.

I have just turned 21. I do not drink often, usually on birthdays or celebrations, I am starting to drink red wine though because of these pains, supposedly it is good for the heart/circulation. I have also just recently quit smoking, which was as of 4/11/08, I have been smoking for an estimated 7 years.... About a pack every 2-3 days. I actually eat pretty healthy, other than pasta almost every other day. I don't eat a lot of red meat, don't eat as much grilled chicken as I should be, but I do eat a lot of greens/vegetables. I have also been drinking a lot of Orange Juice, Pomegrante Juice and Water, not much soda or Iced Tea. But I have been having some gas as of late, for example I will burp and it will actually make my chest feel better and I dont believe it is indigestion, but I still want to see what you all think about this. My height is 5'10" and I am 215 lbs. I am not obese, just a tab bit overweight for how my body is structured. I have been exercising but nothing in the mid area due to a car accident that I gotten into 2 years ago, which I have constant back, neck and spinal pain. So basically the only fat area I have is my stomach/abs and pectorals. I dont really feel tingling in my arms or legs anymore (this was due to nerve damage from the car accident), but sometimes when I do sleep I wake up and my arm will be asleep or tingling but I think thats just because of how my arm was rested. Very awkward!

Anyways, I am not sure if I am making much sense. This subject is very scary for me. My family history for health isn't bad.

My Grandfater had a Stroke. My Grandmothers had Diabetes. My father has high blood pressure and cholesterol I think and my mother is healthy. My father however has a short temper fuse, I however have a long fuse and usually get dont my blood pressure raised. But I can not say about Cholesterol since I am only 21. I do eat pizza, bacon, cheese, roast beef, and other things but only from time to time. So I was wondering, do you think the way how I am could I be at risk for heart disease? I am just scared because I am only 21, I know people who have had heart attacks in their young years, but I have Always been a healthy person. Rarely got sick, always ate greens/vegetables. However I don't eat garlic much, and I dont eat seafood. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! Wish all of you the best of luck.