Chest Pain & High Cholesterol: Understanding Symptoms & Next Steps

Question
i have a question about the heart, first let me say that i am 24 have two kids and am 5'5 weighing 150lbs my doc told me that i have high cholesterol but bp is ok. for the last 3 months or so i have been having tightness and burning pain in the left side of my chest in the breast area and underneith that goes into my arm and shoulder, i dismissed it as muscle since i carry my son in that arm but now i have been getting palpatations once in a while especially when my heart is slowing down from beating faster from doing things. and i have been getting out of breath very easy i am a smoker though but i know all these things in common could meen heart trouble, i had a bunch of blood work and a chest xray that was normal but im still worried. i made a dr apt but whats the chances of a heart problem at my age that hasnt been caught yet? im really scared. ive also been moe tired than normal. thanks

Answer
I would really doubt whether you have heart disease at your age, despite the cigarettes.  I would worry more about you developing asthma/emphysema from the cigs and that is what is causing your symptoms.  But you are doing it correctly.... get it checked out...