Tight chest

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi, I was wondering if anyone else gets some chest pains after a really hard swim or some times after a hard bike session.

Any help would be be great, I’ve been to the doctor and he says its a really tight chest muscles. If I do a good stretch before & after swimming it doesn’t happen.

Does anyone have some good stretches? Or speficic ones that I should do.
Thanks

2

How old are you? If you are over 40 I would suggest looking into the possibility of a stress test on your heart to see if theres anything going on there. If you do feel a real difference from stretching then stretch your brains out.

As far as stretching out your chest, a good exercise is to grab something about shoulder height. Turn your body away from the object while keeping your feet planted. You should feel your pec muscle pull.

3

Hi, I’m 32. If I swim really hard and push then it comes even If I stretch.

If I have a slow/medium paced controlled swim then its fine.

4

Are you getting them on both sides of your chest or just one?

5

Just in centre of the chest
.

6

Are you male/female? Have any other medical conditions? Do you become short of breath or nauseated? when you say “tight” is it a cramp or pressure like an elephant is sitting on your chest? You need to differentiate Angina from just a sore muscle.

7

Male
No
Yes I like an elephant, the pain is at the v top of the chest. My Doctor said that the muscles need to relax, I will go abck and see him tomorrow.

Typical I’m 3.5wks out from my 1st 70.3 and been training for 5months

8

Your doctor is probably right but if you are stretching properly with no relief I would definitely go back to your doc for further evaluation. Laying off a bit wouldn’t hurt either in the mean time. Ask if you should have some cardiac blood work done and a stress test if you are worried. That pressure feeling with exhertion is common with stable Angina and can be worrisome.

cheers

9

Thanks
.

10

Hi, I had to go to the hospital last night as pain wouldn’t go away for 4hrs. It turns out i’m fit and healthy but suther from costochondritis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costochondritis - I stayed in hospital over night as they couldnt believe my heart was this low all the time. I had 3 blood tests and 3 x ecg tests.

My resting HRM is 41 or below regualrly - WHen i got to the hoposital to be checked it was between 36 & 40.

Anyway thanks for all comments and help.