Symptoms of Chest Pain
- Pressure, tightness, or fullness in the chest
- Sharp or stabbing pain
- Burning sensation
- Dull ache
- Pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or arms
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
- Pain that persists and is not affected by body position or breathing
Risks Associated with Chest Pain
Heart-related causes:
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Angina (reduced blood flow to the heart)
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
- Pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart)
- Aortic dissection (tear in the aorta, the major artery coming out of the heart)
Digestive causes:
- Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Oesophageal spasms or disorders
- Gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
- Pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation)
Musculoskeletal causes:
- Costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage connecting a rib to the breastbone)
- Muscle strain
- Rib injury or fracture
Pulmonary causes:
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Pleuritis (inflammation of the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lungs)
- Pneumonia or other lung infections
Other causes:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Shingles (herpes zoster infection affecting nerves under the ribs)
When to Seek Medical Help
Immediate attention if chest pain is:
- Severe or sudden
- Accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or fainting
- Associated with symptoms suggesting a heart attack, like pain radiating to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw, or pain accompanied by vomiting, sweating, or extreme weakness
Consult a healthcare provider if chest pain is:
- Recurrent
- New or changing in nature
- Not clearly linked to a specific trigger or relieved by rest
Chest pain should always be taken seriously as it can be indicative of life-threatening conditions, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment to minimize risks of severe complications.
