What Is Chest Pain?
Chest pain is a discomfort that manifests as a feeling of pressure, squeezing, stabbing, or burning within the chest cavity. The source of the pain can be the heart, lungs, digestive system, musculoskeletal system, or nerves. The duration, severity, and accompanying symptoms of the pain are important in determining which organ it's originating from.
What Are the Causes of Chest Pain?
The causes of chest pain are divided into two main groups: heart-related and non-heart-related causes.
1. Heart-Related Chest Pains
Chest pains originating from heart issues are generally felt on the left side, as a pressure sensation, and often radiate to the arm, jaw, or back.
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): Chest pain is severe and may radiate to the left arm, back, or jaw. It can be accompanied by sweating, shortness of breath, and nausea.
- Coronary Artery Disease: Chest pain can occur as a result of narrowing of the vessels that supply the heart.
- Inflammation of the Heart Muscle (Myocarditis): Chest pain can be seen due to inflammation of the heart muscle resulting from an infection.
- Inflammation of the Heart Lining (Pericarditis): Manifests as sharp and stabbing chest pain, which may intensify when breathing.
- Aortic Dissection: A life-threatening sudden and severe pain resulting from a tear in the aorta.
2. Chest Pains from Non-Heart-Related Causes
Non-heart-related chest pains are also quite common and are usually less dangerous.
- Musculoskeletal System Problems: Conditions such as strain in the chest muscles, rib fractures, and inflammation of the chest wall (costochondritis) can cause chest pain.
- Lung Diseases: Respiratory system diseases like pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, asthma, and pleurisy can lead to chest pain.
- Digestive System Problems: Stomach conditions like reflux, gastritis, and peptic ulcers can cause a burning sensation in the chest.
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Stress and panic attacks can cause a sensation of tightness in the chest and may be confused with a heart attack.
- Shingles: A viral infection affecting the nerves, which can cause pain and rash in the chest area.
What Causes Left Chest Pain?
Chest pain felt on the left side can originate from various causes, primarily heart diseases.
- Heart attack or heart diseases
- Lung diseases (pneumonia, embolism)
- Muscle spasms or chest wall disorders
- Stomach and digestive system diseases (reflux, gastritis)
- Panic attack and stress
If left chest pain is severe and accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath, sweating, and feeling faint, it may require urgent medical intervention.
What Causes Right Chest Pain?
Chest pain felt on the right side is usually due to non-heart-related causes.
- Lung diseases (pneumonia, pleurisy)
- Rib fractures or muscle injuries
- Gallbladder diseases (gallstones, inflammation)
- Reflux or stomach problems
Right chest pain can typically intensify with movement or breathing.
What Causes Chest Pain in Women?
Chest pain in women can arise from different causes compared to men.
- Hormonal Changes: Premenstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause can cause sensitivity and pain in the breasts.
- Fibrocystic Breast Disease: A benign condition causing a sensation of lumps and pain in the breasts.
- Breast Infections (Mastitis): An infection of breast tissue, especially seen in breastfeeding women.
- Breast Cancer: Usually asymptomatic, but in some cases, pain can be felt in the breast.
How Is Chest Pain Diagnosed?
Various tests can be conducted to determine the cause of chest pain:
- ECG (Electrocardiography): Used to detect heart diseases.
- Echocardiography: The heart valves and muscle are examined in detail.
- Blood Tests: Help identify conditions like heart attack or infections.
- Chest X-ray: Used to detect lung diseases.
- Stomach Endoscopy: Performed to diagnose digestive system disorders such as reflux or gastritis.
Treatment Methods for Chest Pain
The treatment for chest pain varies depending on the underlying cause.
- Heart diseases: Blood thinners, stent placement, or bypass surgery may be required for coronary artery disease.
- Musculoskeletal system problems: Pain relievers and physical therapy may be applied.
- Lung diseases: Antibiotics, respiratory therapy, or surgery might be needed.
- Digestive system diseases: Medications regulating stomach acid can be used for reflux.
- Stress and anxiety: Therapy and breathing exercises may be recommended.
Chest pain can originate from the heart, lungs, digestive, or musculoskeletal system. The cause should be identified considering the severity, duration, and accompanying symptoms of the pain. Sudden, severe, and prolonged chest pains may require urgent medical intervention.
How to Differentiate Between Muscle Pain and Heart Pain in the Chest?
There are noticeable differences between muscle pain and heart-related pain felt in the chest. Chest muscle pain typically worsens or lessens with specific movements. If the pain intensifies by lifting the arm, changing body position, or pressing on the chest area, it may be musculoskeletal in origin. Heart-related pains are more widespread, deep, and pressing in nature; they may not subside at rest and can be triggered by physical effort.
Another characteristic of muscle pain is its tendency to be less dangerous if it has been ongoing for a long time and is not accompanied by other systemic symptoms. On the other hand, in conditions like a heart attack, chest pain may spread to different areas such as the jaw, arm, and back, and may be accompanied by additional complaints like shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness.
What Does Chest Pain Accompanied by Coughing Indicate?
The combination of cough and chest pain may suggest respiratory system diseases. Conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy, and pulmonary embolism can exhibit both cough and pain in the chest area. These pains increase during breathing and create a sharp stabbing sensation.
Sometimes, prolonged dry coughs can also strain the chest muscles, leading to muscle pain. In such cases, there is a superficial, localized pain felt in the chest. Besides lung diseases, cough and chest pain can also be seen together in reflux disease. The backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus can create a burning sensation in the chest area.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Chest Pain?
While it may not be possible to completely prevent chest pain, some measures can be taken to reduce risk factors:
- Regular exercise, quitting smoking and alcohol for cardiovascular health,
- Keeping chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes under control,
- Making dietary adjustments for stomach ailments like reflux and gastritis,
- Managing stress through breathing exercises, meditation, and seeking psychological support if needed,
- Protecting lung health from pollution and maintaining strong immunity against infections.
When Is Chest Pain Dangerous?
Even though chest pain may not always be due to a serious condition, if it is seen along with some symptoms, it requires urgent medical help.
- If chest pain has suddenly started and is very severe,
- If there is pain spreading in the form of pressure to the left arm, jaw, or back,
- If accompanied by shortness of breath, excessive sweating, nausea, or dizziness,
- If there is a loss of consciousness, a feeling of fainting, or cyanosis.
These symptoms may be due to life-threatening conditions such as a heart attack, aortic dissection, or pulmonary embolism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chest Pain Always Related to the Heart?
No, chest pain is not always related to heart problems. Chest pain can also be experienced due to non-cardiac causes such as lung, stomach, musculoskeletal system, and even psychological reasons. In young and healthy individuals, causes like stress, anxiety, and muscle pain in the chest are observed more frequently. However, pain should not be neglected in any case, and the cause must be investigated.
Can Reflux Cause Chest Pain?
Yes, reflux is a common digestive system problem that can cause a burning sensation, a feeling of tightness, and pain in the chest area. Chest pain that increases after meals or when lying down is typically associated with reflux. Such pains can be controlled with medications that reduce stomach acid and lifestyle changes.
Can Panic Attack Cause Chest Pain?
In cases of anxiety and panic attacks, severe chest pain resembling a heart attack may be experienced. This pain presents as pressure and tightness in the chest. The person may also feel unable to breathe, sweating, palpitations, and fear of death.
Which Doctor Should I See for Chest Pain?
A person experiencing chest pain can first consult a cardiologist. If the cause of the pain is not related to the heart, referrals may be made to specialists in gastroenterology, chest diseases, or physical therapy and rehabilitation according to the complaints.