Duration
The duration of sternum pain can vary greatly and depends mainly on the cause. If muscles or bones are damaged by overexertion or a bruise, the pain usually subsides after a few days. In the case of inflammation of the respiratory tract or lungs, the pain subsides as soon as the condition is cured.
If the heart is the cause of the sternum pain, it can occur again and again. Triggers for the pain are physical exertion, emotional stress or cold. If the heart disease is stable, the pain does not last longer than 20 minutes. If the pain lasts longer with known heart disease or occurs without a trigger, it may be a sign of a heart attack and an emergency doctor should be called immediately.
