Costochondritis is characterized by pain and tenderness in the upper chest. This pain may be sudden, sharp and fleeting or may be a dull ache that comes on slowly and lasts for hours or days.

Certain activities, such as deep breathing or pressure to the affected area, worsen the pain. It may radiate widely or remain localized. It can mimic the symptoms of heart attack (myocardial infarction, MI) in many patients, who thus may get a work-up for MI.

Typically, chest pain in costochondritis is not accompanied by heat, redness or swelling. However, these three signs and symptoms are typical of Tietze syndrome. In this condition, the pain may develop suddenly and be sharper and more severe. The swelling is bulbous, localized to the cartilage and may persist for several months, even after the pain and tenderness go away.

Individuals who experience pain, tenderness, heat, redness or swelling in the upper chest are advised to notify their physician.