Diagnosis that has been suggested: take pills that my doctor prescribes.
Current medical status: high blood presure
Current medical treatment: pills once a day

First, you can request a physical examination and an X-ray image of the chest. Those medical procedures should help us to find out if there are rib(s) broken or there are deeper and more dangerous injuries like hematotorax or pneumotorax.


A simple contusion of the thoracic wall is the most common and easiest type of chest injury. A contusion manifests itself with local pain that increases when one takes a deep breath. It only requires resting, avoiding sudden movements with the chest, and taking painkillers if necessary.


A single broken rib, alone without any deeper injury, is not a serious condition and manifests itself with strong local pain that increases when breathing or performing chest movements. A broken rib is immobilized only with bandages. That condition is much more serious if several serial ribs are broken. In that case, breathing can be seriously compromised and the patient would need hospitalization.


Deeper chest injuries (hematotorax, pneumotorax, heart tamponade, lung/heart contusions, etc.) are life-threatening conditions that require urgent treatment.