Hello First off, thank you for taking the time to read my message.  I am 18 years old and lately, my heart feels like its being poked constantly.  I am also very short of breathe and walking up a set of stairs feels like a marathon.The location of the pain originates on the left breast, just above the nipple.  The pain is interior and throbs from time to time.I am really concerned and am not sure what to do.  I cant go to the doctor anytime soon due to work, but I want to get checked out immediately.  What do you think it could be and who would you advise seeing first? A family doctor, or go straight to ER?
Hello, Your all symptoms, poking of heart, left-sided chest pain and breathlessness on exertion (climbing stairs) are suggestive of heart diseases more. So immediately consult a cardiologist and get done blood pressure monitoring, ECG, 2D Echo and stress test (trade mill test). If all these are normal, then no need to worry about heart diseases. Sometimes undiagnosed stress and anxiety can also cause similar symptoms especially in young individuals (teenagers). To avoid stress and tension, be relaxed and calm. Don't worry, you will be alright with all these, but the first rule out heart diseases. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.