Went to er on 4/18 with severe chest pain and trouble breathing and doc said pericarditis but 2 other docs say costrocondritis?

Chest pain: If the chest wall hurts when pressed, that suggests costochondritis. The ECG is usually abnormal in pericarditis but not costochondritis.

Could be either: I have seen these two diagnoses mixed up several times before. Pericarditis would be more likely to be worse with lying backwards, reclining. It can be lessened by leaning forward. It could be accompanied by fever. Pain can radiate to the top of the shoulder. Costochondritis is much more common. It is worse with twisting, or pushing on the area that hurts. Both can get worse with breathing.

Same symptoms: Costochondritis is superficial and tender to touch or move. Trauma history, or fall or twist or workout? Pericarditis may follow viral or other illness. Pain from pericardium, the sac around he heart, and right under the sternum and costochondral area makes it confusing. May hear a rub or feel a rub with positioning, particularly leaning forward.