A new sudden pain in your chest is scary stuff. It is why chest pain is one of the most common reasons Americans rush to the emergency room and with good reason. Chest pain should always be taken seriously as a potential emergency. The good news is that many causes are non-cardiac and non-life-threatening. Telling the difference can be challenging though.
This article will break down the most common causes of chest pain and their symptoms to help you differentiate between a true cardiac emergency and a less critical issue.
Common Cardiovascular Causes Of Chest Pain
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- Angina: A type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. It feels like pressure, heaviness or a squeezing sensation (usually in the center of your chest).
- Aortic Dissection: A tear in the main artery in the body. It causes sudden and severe chest pain that is often described as a tearing sensation. This pain may travel to the back.
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- Aortic Stenosis: A narrowing of the aortic valve, causing pressure-like chest pain. It usually presents during physical activity and resolves with rest.
- Heart Attack: Occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle becomes completely blocked. It results in severe pain in the center or left side of the chest (often described as crushing or squeezing). Pain can also radiate to the arm, back or jaw.
- Pericarditis: Sharp chest pain that worsens when lying down or breathing deeply. It’s caused by inflammation of the lining around the heart.
Common Gastrointestinal Causes Of Chest Pain
- Gallstones: Felt in the upper-right or center of the abdomen, gallstones can cause severe sudden pain that may radiate to the back or shoulders. It often intensifies with deep breathing.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): When stomach acid moves back up into the esophagus, it causes a burning pain in the chest that can sometimes feel like pressure or squeezing. This makes it difficult to differentiate from cardiac pain. With GERD, the pain is often worse immediately after eating or when lying down. It usually improves when upright.
- Ulcers: Chest pain from stomach ulcers is usually a burning sensation similar to heartburn or GERD.
Common Respiratory Causes Of Chest Pain
- Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung): Commonly caused by a chest injury. It causes sharp stabbing pain (typically on one side of the chest) that increases with breathing and coughing.
- Pleurisy: Inflammation of the lining of the lungs. It causes sharp stabbing chest pain that is worse with breathing or coughing.
- Pneumonia: Lung infections like pneumonia can cause sharp chest pain when breathing or coughing. It is typically accompanied by other flu-like symptoms.
- Pulmonary Embolism: When a blood clot travels to the lung and blocks an artery, it causes sudden sharp pain in the chest and shortness of breath.
Common Musculoskeletal Causes Of Chest Pain
- Costochondritis: Inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs and the breastbone caused by injury or certain medical conditions. It is a sharp or aching pain that worsens with coughing, sneezing or movement.
- Rib Injuries: Bruised or fractured ribs result from trauma to the chest, making them relatively easy to identify.
- Muscle Strain: A strained muscle in the chest typically causes sharp, pinpoint or localized pain. It is usually worse with deep breathing, coughing or movement.
Another common cause of chest pain is severe emotional stress. Anxiety or panic attacks can result in physical symptoms, such as chest pain. It can feel like tightness (similar to a heart attack), or it may be sharp or shooting pain.
When To Seek Medical Help
If chest pain is sudden, severe or lasts longer than five minutes, call 911 immediately or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency department. For intermittent or recurring chest pain (even if it is mild), do not delay. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation.
The team at Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists consists of North Louisiana’s leading experts in cardiovascular care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call our office at (318) 798-9400.