 [ Symptoms ] the left side of my chest has hurt since childhood but at 17 it has gotten worse should i have more cardiac tests [ Disease ] many many things can cause chest pain although we worry about the heart being a cause of it typically first as heart disease can carry some serious consequences at age 17 the risk of artery blockages leading to chest pain would be very unusual except in some cases of congenital coronary abnormalities it is important that you have a complete history and phsyical exam by a physician to help look for causes of this persistent pain they will ask questions about your activity level for example can you and do you exercise regularly without difficulities  and carefully exam your heart lungs and blood vessels you deserve to get an answer for something like persistent pain and at age 17 it is a good time to be reminded of heart healthy living with things like eating healthy exercising regularly avoiding tobacco products etc