Could this be a heart attack

[Floraliee]

I was laid in bed and suddenly had a sharp, pain in left side of my chest. It’s still there now and hurts more if I move around or deep breath. It feels as though it’s into my arm and upper back. I’m alone with 4 year old and feel scared

Phone 111. Don't wait.

You should call 111 and explain your symptoms to them.

How old are you?
Sit up, some forms of inflammation and angina are much worse when laying down.

I’m 26. I don’t want to do a deep breath as it just really hurts all on my left side. I’m sat up currently but it still hurts in my upper back

We can’t advise you lively, but I would phone 111. If you are on hold and get any worse then 999. There are forms of heart attacks that affect younger women ro other concerns, but it sounds like you need immediate medical advice.

Ring 999 NOW

Have you had a cold, covid, flu recently?

Whilst you’re calling 111/999 text a family member or friend and let them know you need help with your 4 year old.

I’m worried that it’s a pulled muscle and that I’ll waste someone’s time but it really isn’t going away and came on suddenly

The only family members I have around are away at the moment, really panicky

People can only diagnosed a pulled muscle when they’ve ruled out the other serious causes, that’s what medical staff are there for, you can’t diagnose yourself, they do and rule things in and out. You need seeing.

Probably not, drink a glass of cold water, stay calm and ring 111.

A colleague suffers with heart issues and the consultant advised a glass of water.

Seriously, call now.

If it's a heart attack I'm fairly sure (but I'm sure someone will come and bash me for it) you wouldn't be able to post on MN?

Phone 999, no one can diagnose you on here

Call 111. Is there anyone else you can contact? 4 year olds father? A mum friend? Anyone, just in case.

I will be the first to bash you. I’ve posted from HDU. People have conditions that start and worsen and aren’t incapacitated immediately. Even in severe pain at the beginning you can research/text/phone/post for help. There are many conditions that aren’t heart attacks that are still serious and need a medical professional to see and diagnose and rule out.

This.

They are advised for their diagnosed specific known condition. You can’t give out second hand advice when you don’t know if it’s the same.

Do call for advice. Also it is entirely possible to post on MN as well as go about your daily life for a while whilst experiencing a heart attack I think. My uncle didn't even know he had a heart attack.

Do ring 111. I sometimes get a very similar pain. After a fair amount of investigation mine is some sort of muscle cramp and it goes away if I can manage to get some deep lungfuls of air in even though it is such a sharp pain I don't want to move more than I have to. I can't see that some deep breaths could hurt while you are ringing up.

It could be a muscle strain, trapped nerve, wind, reflux, anxiety...all can closely mimic a heart attack.

Get up, move around, stretch your back and arms thoroughly and have a drink. If it doesn't help, call 111.

@Floraliee there are other conditions that are equally as serious that come on as quickly as a heart attack, ignore the posters saying you are fine if you can post. You do not sound it. Seriously, phone for help, let the medical professionals decide and diagnose you. But it’s worthy of a call now. I promise it’s ok to phone them.

I’ve been sat up for a few minutes now and the pain seems to have gone from my chest. I can’t seem to feel it when I do a deep breath in but my upper arm/back still hurts a bit. I’m still worried with how sudden it came on though, I’ve never felt that kind of feeling before

It’s extraordinarily unlikely to be a heart attack at your age and with your symptoms. Could be something else though. Just call 111