Introduction Chest pain is a symptom that often causes alarm, as many people immediately think of heart problems. However, not all chest pain is heart-related. One common cause of non-cardiac chest pain is costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone (sternum). While it can be uncomfortable and even mimic heart attack pain, costochondritis is usually harmless and treatable. What is Costochondritis? Causes and Risk Factors The exact cause is not always clear, but common triggers include: Symptoms of Costochondritis Diagnosing Costochondritis Because chest pain can be heart-related, doctors first rule out cardiac causes with:…