This is my standard answer.
If you are experiencing pain or a burning sensation that lasts for more than ten minutes or so, go and see a doctor. Do not be palmed off with an ECG, which only shows that you have HAD a heart attack. If the problem is persistent, ask to see a cardiologist.
The main indicator of heart problems, in my experience, is family history of heart problems, so if that applies, be doubly persistent.
If you smoke, stop smoking. Smoke inhalation thickens the blood, which makes it harder for the blood to flow past any obstruction.
Heart problems do not usually show much indication until they are serious, since the heart itself does not have much in the way of pain sensors. Therefore, when pain comes, it is a serious protest from the heart about not receiving enough oxygen.
An irregular heartbeat problem alone, generally, does not give pain, just a 'fluttering' feeling, and is a sign of a different problem from heart attack, namely possibly the need for medication or a pacemaker to stabilise the heart beating. It could also indicate problems with a heart valve, but there will be other indicators such as blood pressure, etc, with that. Some small amount of heart 'flutter' is normal.
On the brighter side, sharp pain can just be the chest wall muscles between the ribs cramping up, and giving a sharp, knife-like pain, which makes it hard to draw breath. Usually a sign of stress, and so can an irregular heartbeat.
In your case, it could be a torn muscle or the chest wall muscles as above. Wrong side for heart.
