Precordial catch syndrome (PCS) is a non-serious condition in which there are sharp stabbing pains in the chest. These typically get worse with inhaling and occur within a small area. Spells of pain usually last less than a few minutes.

The underlying cause is unclear. Some believe the pain may be from the chest wall or irritation of an intercostal nerve. Treatment is usually via reassurance, as the pain generally resolves without any specific treatment. Precordial catch syndrome is relatively common in children between the ages of 6 and 12 and is less common in adults. While in my twenties and thirties, I experienced a half dozen or so episodes.

Yesterday, while working on a ladder in the basement of the River House, I had a PCS event. Given the spotty cell service there and the proximity to Emerson Hospital, I decided to drive to the emergency room out of an abundance of caution. It has been more than thirty years since I last had an attack and I thought it better to be safe than sorry. I arrived in under 5 minutes and was immediately connected to an EKG monitor which showed no signs of heart anomalies and my pain had all but subsided. Much ado about nothing but interestingly, no one at the hospital suggested PCS as the cause and were intent on following up with a bunch of tests and x-rays that would have been pointless. While I truly appreciate being evaluated so quickly, once it became apparent that I was not having a heart issue minutes turned into hours while waiting for my blood work to come back. I eventually decided to disconnect myself from all the monitoring equipment and check myself out.