May not be cardiac: Not all pains in the chest are from the heart. Muscle, bones (ribs), pleura/lung, nerves (i.e. Shingles), esophagus and sometimes stomach problems can cause chest pain. Sharp pains in general are also considered "atypical" or unusual pain for a cardiac cause. See your physician for an evaluation to make sure it is not cardiac and then search for other causes.
Answered 1/24/2012
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You have options: How long ago was surgery? If in past six months, could be a rib fracture(see chest radiograph), could be from sternal retractor, could be a costal neuralgia(damaged intercostal nerve. These are potential complications that do occur not infrequently. A rib fracture will resolve, a nerve problem may be treated by a pain doctor with good success. Talk to your surgeon.
Answered 7/23/2018
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