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What causes sharp pain in sternum?

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Hey guys, first post here because I think this is a good place to express my concerns.

I used to be a casual smoker where i would smoke once a weekend, not even. This past summer i just had so much free time with friends to the point where we smoked 3-4 times minimum a day this entire summer. So yea, i smoked literally every day this summer.

Lately i have been getting chest pain on my sternum, like a sharp pain. If i move slightly or do gym or whatever I feel the pain, and its a sharp pain but nothing that makes me be in excruciating pain. I don't know if this is soreness because of how lazy i've been this summer of its something to do with all the smoking I have been doing.

I am getting kind of worried that this smoking may have messed something up really bad in my chest (lungs) and i just wanted to post this to see if im right or if something is going on that i may not know. Im scared to go to a doctor cause my parents dotn know i smoke and it would be a real wake up call and im trying to avoid that.

other medical facts (kinda):
- it doesnt exactly hurt when i breath, but i definately feel it at the end jsut cause im moving. Im not sure if breathing is directly related to this pain.
-The pain happens more when i jsut sit normally or move slightly

i dont know if this anxiety or what i have no idea


any help?
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replied July 25th, 2012
I don't know your age or sex, but please be aware that anyone who smokes tobacco is ignoring all the evidence that proves that this activity leads, in a high proportion of persons, to lung cancer and emphysema and chronic bronchitis. So don't smoke!
The pain you describe does not suggest a heart or lung origin, and may be musculoskeletal.
Please be aware that I am unable to diagnose medical conditions online.


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