I am a 28 year old male, 58, 160 pounds.  Whenever I sneeze there is an immediate, intense, and sharp pain on the left side of my chest that I believe is derived from my heart.  This has been an ongoing problem for many years.  I was on beta blockers for a short time last year to help with heart palpitations, but I quit taking them because I ran out.  I also was taken to the hospital 9 years ago for severe chest pains.  I have a 5 year history of frequent marijuana use, although I have not smoked in 3 months.  I also had a 6 month period of time when I used cocaine heavily, but I have not used cocaine in 4 years.  I was a pack-and-a-half a day smoker for about 6 years, but I have given up cigarettes, as well.  I still dip snuff 5 or 6 times a day. I take hydrocodone for knee and joint pain about twice a week.  I am worried that the sharp chest pains I feel when I sneeze could soon lead to a major health issue.  How can I prevent this pain from reoccurring?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Since you are having history of cigarette smoking, Marijuana smoking, snuffing etc., we should definitely look for lung diseases for your symptoms. Chest pain on sneezing can be seen in pleurisy (inflammation of pleura) and pleurisy is commonly due to lung infection and bronchitis. So get done 1. Clinical examination of respiratory system 2. Chest x-ray to rule out lung infection. 3. PUT (pulmonary function test) for the diagnosis of bronchitis. If both these are normal then no need to worry about lung diseases. Sometimes musculoskeletal pain can cause similar kind of pain. So apply warm water pad on affected areas. Avoid movements causing pain. Don't worry, you will be alright. But first rule out lung pathology. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.