My heart is being squished by my sternum and is displaced to the left

SYMPTOMS OF PECTUS EXCAVATUM

My pectus symptoms began a year and a half before I even noticed the huge dent forming in the center of my chest.  I am an avid tennis player, in great shape, and played on my school’s tennis team.  Somewhere around the age of 13 years old, I started experiencing problems on the tennis court. Around 15-20 minutes into a tennis match, my heart would begin beating super fast. It felt as though it was going to burst through my chest. Nausea would set in, I felt lightheaded, faint and had to take short 5 minute breaks in-between games.  I even complained to my parents that I felt out of breath walking up the stairs to my room. I was fine for short periods of time, but my symptoms started after 10 minutes of running around. As my pectus worsened, couldn’t keep up with my opponent.

Do Symptoms of Pectus Worsen With Age?

Everyone is different, and symptoms of pectus depend on the severity of the deformity. People with mild cases may not have any noticeable signs. However, in severe cases of pectus excavatum, a patient’s sternum can come close to touching the spine. In these severe cases, patients will have a deep dent in the chest, and the sternum can put pressure on the heart and lungs limiting their function.

It is interesting to note that many pectus patients have pulmonary function testing that is >80th percentile. Although, a good number of those tested are teens and many of the symptoms of pectus worsen as patients get older. A recent publication in the Journal of American Heart Association examined 392 adults (mean age of 31 years). It stated that 68% of adults versus approximately 30% of teens had abnormal oxygen consumption.8 I have moderate-severe pectus excavatum, and my pulmonary function test was fairly normal. My oxygen levels were around 75%. However, if you look you at my MRI image, you can see my heart and lungs are “squished” and the heart is moved further left. Some of the physical symptoms of pectus can include:

  • Fatigue
  • Chest pain/chest pressure
  • Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
  • Shortness of breath during exercise
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, and nausea upon exertion
  • Decreased stamina compared to peers
  • Many pectus patients also have rib flare and poor posture stemming from rolled shoulders

In addition to physical symptoms, many people with pectus excavatum also endure psychological symptoms such as embarrassment, low self-esteem and depression. Mental health is so important, and these symptoms must be addressed.  I will discuss more about this in my blog.