What Causes Chest Pain?

Pain in the chest area, ranging from the level of your shoulders to the bottom of your ribs, is referred to as chest pain. It’s a rather frequent symptom. Chest pain can be caused by a variety of factors. Only the most frequent are included in this article. Without specific testing and investigations, it can be difficult to determine the actual reason for chest pain.
Chest pain should not be overlooked. However, you should be aware that there are a variety of other possibilities. It is frequently linked to the heart. Chest pain can be caused by a variety of things, including problems with your lungs, esophagus, muscles, ribs, or nerves. Some of these illnesses are dangerous and life-threatening. Others, though, are not. If you’re experiencing inexplicable chest pain, the only way to find out what’s causing it is to see a doctor.

What Causes Chest Pain?

Chest pain can be caused by a variety of factors. The following is a quick rundown of some of the more typical causes.

Angina

Angina is a pain in the chest that originates in the heart. The constriction of the coronary arteries, which feed blood to the heart muscle, is the most common reason. When you’re resting, your blood supply may be adequate in the early stages. When you exercise, however, your heart muscle needs more blood and oxygen, and if the blood cannot pass through the restricted coronary arteries, your heart will hurt. Angina causes chest pain that can feel like an ache, discomfort, or tightness in the front of your chest. Coronary artery spasm or cardiac condition X can also cause angina.

Strained Muscle Wall

Various muscles that run around and between the ribs aid in the movement of the rib cage during breathing. These muscles can be stretched at times, resulting in chest pain in that area. When a muscle is strained, muscular fibers are stretched or torn, usually as a result of the muscle being stretched beyond its limitations. A strained chest wall muscle, for example, can occur as a result of heavy lifting, stretching, rapid movement, or extended coughing. The pain in the chest is frequently worsened by movement and breathing in.

Heart Attack

The death of cardiac muscle cells is as a result of a decline in blood flow via the heart’s blood channels. A heart attack, however comparable to angina, is a more severe, crushing pain that occurs in the center or left side of the chest and is not eased by rest. The pain may be accompanied by sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, or acute weakness.

Anxiety

Chest pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including anxiety. Chest pain might be so acute in some people that it’s misdiagnosed as angina. Da Costa’s condition is a form of anxiety-related chest pain. People who have recently had family or friends diagnosed with cardiac disease, or who have recently had a heart attack, may be more susceptible to Da Costa’s syndrome.

Pulmonary Hypertension

This unusually high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries causes the right side of the heart to work too hard, causing chest pain similar to angina.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD, often known as acid reflux, is a condition in which stomach contents back up into the throat. Heartburn is characterized by a sour taste in the mouth and a burning feeling in the chest or neck. Obesity, smoking, pregnancy, and hot or fatty foods are all things that might cause acid reflux. Because the heart and esophagus are near to each other and share a neural network, heart discomfort and heartburn from acid reflux feel similar.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

A PE occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in another part of the circulation and causes a blockage in one of the artery blood vessels in the lungs. When you breathe in, a PE usually causes acute chest pain (pleuritic chest pain). Coughing up blood (haemoptysis), a moderate fever, and a fast heart rate are some of the other symptoms.

Pneumothorax

A pneumothorax is a build-up of air between the lungs and the chest wall. The air comes from the lungs or, in the case of a chest wall injury, from outside the body. On one side, a pneumothorax usually causes immediate, intense, stabbing chest pain. Breathing in aggravates the agony, and you may become short of breath. The greater the pneumothorax, the more difficult it is to breathe.

COPD

Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are all examples of this. The condition obstructs airflow by narrowing and weakening the airways that transport gases and air to and from the lungs, as well as the tiny air sacs (alveoli) that carry oxygen to the bloodstream and eliminate carbon dioxide. The most common cause is smoking.

Pleuritis

Pleurisy is a condition in which the lining of the lungs and chest becomes inflamed or irritated. When you breathe, cough, or sneeze, a sharp pain is likely to occur. Bacterial and viral infections, pulmonary embolism, and pneumothorax are the most prevalent causes of pleuritic chest pain. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and cancer are examples of less prevalent causes.

Asthma

Asthma is an inflammatory illness of the airways that causes shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and sometimes chest pain.

Pneumonia or a Lung Abscess

Pneumonia or a lung abscess are the two most common causes of lung infection. Pleuritic and other types of chest pain, including a profound chest discomfort, can lead to certain lung infections. Fever, chills, cough, and pus coughed up from the respiratory system are all common symptoms of pneumonia.

Costochondritis

The rib cage is a bony structure that surrounds the lungs and protects them. At joints, softer, more flexible cartilage connects the ribs to the sternum (breastbone) and the sternum to the collar bones (clavicles). Inflammation occurs in one or more of these joints in costochondritis. Costochondritis is a condition that produces pain in the front of the chest. The pain is usually severe and stabbing, and it gets worse with movement, exertion, and deep breathing.

Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernia is a type of hernia that occurs in the stomach. After eating, the top of the stomach pushes into the lower chest, causing this typical ailment. Reflux symptoms, such as heartburn or chest pain, are common. When you lie down, the discomfort tends to get worse.

Peptic Ulcer

These painful ulcers in the stomach lining or initial part of the small intestine could cause a vague, persistent ache. The pain often improves when you eat or use antacids, and is more likely in those who smoke, drink a lot of alcohol, or take medicines like aspirin or NSAIDs.

When to See a Doctor?

Call your doctor if you have chest discomfort, especially if it comes on abruptly or does not respond to anti-inflammatory drugs or other self-care measures like modifying your diet.
If you have any of the following symptoms in addition to chest pain, call your doctor right away:

• Feeling pressure, squeezing, tightness, or crushing under your breastbone
• Pain in your chest that radiates to your jaw, left arm, or back
• Shortness of breath and sudden, severe chest pain, especially after a lengthy period of inactivity
• Nausea, dizziness, rapid heart rate or breathing, confusion, ashen complexion, or extreme perspiration are all symptoms to look out for.
• Extremely low blood pressure or heart rate
• Issues with swallowing
• Chest ache that doesn’t seem to go away
• Coughing up yellow-green mucus or having a fever

Now that you Know…

Chest pain can be as a result of a number of factors, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you feel any form of pain or slight discomfort in your chest area, it is important to contact your doctor immediately. Note that self-diagnosis is not advisable, so see your doctor to determine what is wrong and avoid future complications.