Hi Everyone,
I am in pretty good shape, 5'8'', 135 lbs, 15% body fat, 24 years old, non smoker, no drugs, been exercising consistantly for 5 years.
Last night something scary happened while I was jogging on a treadmill @ 5.0 mph, 0 incline, 20 min into my planned 45 min workout, 157 bpm read by a Polar heart rate monitor. (157 bpm is not high for me, usually my heart rate gets up to 180 when I'm jogging at 6.0-6.5 mph.) I had pain directly over my heart last night while I was working out. It was so severe that I had to slow down to 2.5 mph. Immediately slowing down, I felt very dizzy, almost where I thought I was going to pass out. Then my hands tingled for a few seconds, then became as cold as ice. After 30 minutes of walking at 2.5 on an incline of 5 w/ heart rate at 130, the chest pain finally subsided enough where I could take a deep breath, and then my arms from my elbows to my finger tips were ice cold. I've had chest pain before like this (ever since I was 10, very occassionally, once a year maybe) but never while exercising. I do have asthma, but I haven't used an inhaler for 3 years now, though I have started to have asthma attacks once a week at night, which is also bizarre.
Does anyone know what is going on?

I'd suggest it would be in your best interests to go to a doctor. I doubt the majority here can diagnose that.

That does not sound good. I'm not a doctor, but some of those symptoms seem consistent with angina....but that would be really odd for somebody your age. You should definately get it checked out....

I think I figured out what it could be:

Prinzemetal Angina

Prinzmetal's angina, otherwise known as variant angina, is a rare form of this condition that typically occurs in younger people. It is caused by a spasm in a coronary artery, which narrows the artery and causes reduced blood flow to the heart. Common symptoms of Prinzmetal's angina include severe chest pain, nausea, and fatigue. Treatment for the condition generally involves medication, such as nitroglycerin.

Self diagnosis rocks.

And is wrong nearly every time.

Go to a doctor if you're concerned. Don't diagnose yourself.

It's probably nothing to worry about. Don't get googleitis.

Doctor.

Why is this even a thought?

There are 9123123 things that could have caused what you experienced... and I doubt that is one of them.





I think I figured out what it could be:

Prinzemetal Angina

Prinzmetal's angina, otherwise known as variant angina, is a rare form of this condition that typically occurs in younger people. It is caused by a spasm in a coronary artery, which narrows the artery and causes reduced blood flow to the heart. Common symptoms of Prinzmetal's angina include severe chest pain, nausea, and fatigue. Treatment for the condition generally involves medication, such as nitroglycerin.

Dude isn't nitroglycerin volatile and explosive? :|

You did say that you've had chest pain like this before, and it's fairly common since it happens about once a year. It could have been just a coincidence that you had the chest pain while exercising.

And you said it was 'over' your heart? I wonder if it could be musculoskeletal. I get severe pain that is partially in my chest and partially in my back every once in a while, but I'm pretty sure it's non cardiac in orginin because the pain goes away for the most part when I arch my back and stretch.

You did have circulation issues it sounds like due to your cold hands, and tingling and dizziness, but maybe that was from slowing down so fast.

If you're concerned than I'd go to the doctor and they'll probably recommend an echocardiogram or stress test (expensive), perhaps even a holter monitor if you want to pursue testing.