The duration of pressure pain varies because the cause of sternal pressure pain varies. If the pressure pain is only caused by excessively intense chest activity, prolonged ambulation or working on one’s back, the pain can usually be relieved or subside within 1 to 2 weeks by resting or changing the working posture. However, if the pressure pain is caused by a disease factor, the symptom will persist for a longer period of time as the disease persists.