An elliptical trainer is an exercise machine that combines the motion of cross-country skiing and stair-stepping. In addition, some elliptical trainers use push-pull bars to provide upper body resistance exercises. These upper body exercises work the chest, or pectoral, muscles that lie over the ribs and sternum. Soreness or pain in the area of the sternum could be from exercise, or it could be something more serious, such as a heart attack. If you have chest pain during or immediately after exercise, consult a health-care professional immediately.
Chest Pain
Don’t assume that chest pain, especially in the sternum area, is the result of sore muscles from exercise. All chest pain is potentially related to heart attack symptoms. Women may have vague symptoms rather than the classic crushing chest and left arm pain, according to MayoClinic.com. Chest pain in the area of the sternum could be a heart attack, costochondritis, pleurisy, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms or other conditions, according to MayoClinic.com.
Costochondritis
The sternum is also called the breastbone. Your ribs attach to the sternum with cartilage – each connection is called a costosternal joint. The cartilage can become inflamed from injury, excessive strain or overuse. The inflammation, called costochondritis, can mimic the pain of a heart attack or other heart conditions. Costochondritis is also called chest wall pain, costosternal syndrome and costosternal chondrodynia. When you have both pain and swelling in the sternum it is known as Tietze syndrome.
Symptoms of Costochondritis
Typical symptoms of costochondritis include pain and tenderness at the costosternal joints. The pain is often on the left side of the sternum, which makes it very difficult to distinguish from a heart attack, and might be sharp, dull or gnawing. You might also have pain with deep breathing or coughing and it might be difficult to take a deep breath. Costochondritis has no cure; MayoClinic.com says the focus of treatment is to ease the pain and wait for your body to get better by itself.
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is another condition that can cause pain in the area of the sternum. Pleurisy is usually the result of an infection such as a cold or the flu; the membrane that lines your lungs becomes inflamed. The inflammation causes sharp chest pains, especially when you inhale or exhale. Pleuritic pain can occur anywhere in the chest or might even extend from the chest to the shoulder. Other symptoms include shortness of breath and cough, and might include fever or loss of appetite.
Considerations and Warnings
If you have been examined by a health-care professional and a heart attack has been ruled out, resume exercise slowly. Don’t resume exercise until your doctor approves. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends you practice good posture when using the elliptical trainer to help prevent excessive stress on the chest area. If you continue to have a sore sternum when using the elliptical machine, consult a fitness trainer to see if your technique is causing the problem.
