I was digging a trench with an Mattock for about 2hrs in my yard and I got a really bad pain in the left side of my chest, I thought it was a stitch so I took a ten minute break and continued to dig. It is now 12 hours later and I am in so much pain in the left side of my chest and around my left scapula. I have rubbed voltaren in and taken panadol which only helps a minute amount. Could I have torn a muscle?
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. I don’t know how old you are, but if you have had cardiac issues in the past, you should seek a medical doctor immediately. many Heart attack’s occur through exactly the same mechanism you just described. once we have ruled out life ending causes of your pain, then we can consider imaging can conservative treatment. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.