Heart Disease and Heart Attack Forum - Left ribcage sticking out

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Q: Left ribcage sticking out

asked by: DoctorQuestion on April 2nd, 2009

i am a 22 year old male who is a bit under weight, 130-135lbs.
my heart has been feeling as though it's pumping with quite a large amount of force. however, my main concern is that over the past month my left chest/ribcage over my heart is sticking out a bit further than the right side. I do not have insurance and i'm a bit worried about it. firstly, i was curious if an enlarged heart could cause such? secondly, if that is not the case is it something to be alarmed about?

Replies(5)

Dr. Goce Aleksovski , MD

replied on April 2nd, 2009

Heart Disease and Heart Attack Answer A6226

No data was given how much exactly is the left ribcage sticking out than the right one. The difference might be minor. Our bodies are not completely symmetrical no matter how it might seem otherwise.
The ribcage is a solid structure with only limited elasticity and its form can not be changed by enlarging of the organs in the thoracic cavity.
You might want to visit your family doctor to see if the difference in the ribcages is significant.

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Comments (4)

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