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Does anyone else have intermittent pain in their sternum, I’m halfway through radiation but I’ve had a heart attack so chest pain is concern

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Colorado Springs, CO
August 15
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MyBCTeam

Sternum pain during radiation is actually quite common, and many MyBCTeam members have shared similar experiences. That said, given your heart attack history, any chest pain absolutely deserves extra attention — please don't brush it off.

Radiation can cause short-term inflammation around the heart (pericarditis), with Show Full Answer

Sternum pain during radiation is actually quite common, and many MyBCTeam members have shared similar experiences. That said, given your heart attack history, any chest pain absolutely deserves extra attention — please don't brush it off.

Radiation can cause short-term inflammation around the heart (pericarditis), with symptoms including:

- Chest pain
- Pain in the left shoulder, back, or neck
- Difficulty breathing
- Heart palpitations Your previous heart attack puts you at higher risk for radiation-related heart complications, so it's really important to loop in your medical team right away about this pain.

Call 911 immediately if your chest pain feels like:

- Pressure, squeezing, or fullness
- Pain spreading to your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Accompanied by shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, or lightheadedness

Always trust your instincts and speak up to your care team — they can help determine whether this is radiation-related or something that needs urgent attention. You're doing the right thing by paying close attention to it. 💛

August 15
A MyBCTeam Member

@A MyBCTeam Member

Contact your oncology team first thing on Monday. They really need to ask you how you feel after each radiation treatment before you leave the site.
Just telling the nurse before you go so they can track this is import.
It doesn’t help to save any symptoms for a once a week appointment with the Oncology Dr. which some sites do in addition to the radiation therapy.

Plus, when in car, write your symptoms down so
Go to ER if further concerned this weekend or call your GP first.

When you go for radiation therapy,, how do you feel before each treatment? Write down. Do you feel dizzy, totally exhausted and hard to walk off site or have arrhythmias afterwards?

If you are into the 2nd to 3rd week and have a heart condition, you might have symptoms at this point.

The Radiation Oncologist needs to figure out what is going on and perhaps revisit and revise your plan accordingly.

Please keep us posted. You will be ok.

August 16

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