Chest Pain or Discomfort:

Description

Chest pain can be life-threatening when it continues for a longer time. Chest pain can appear in different forms which range from sharp stab to dull ache. Sometimes, chest pain feels burning or crushing and the pain travels up into the jaw or the neck. This can spread further at the back or down in one or both the arms. Several problems can be the reason for chest pain and life-threatening causes can be lungs or heart. Since chest pain denotes a serious problem, it is important to see your doctor for immediate help.

Causes of chest pain

Heart-related causes

Heart attack – A heart attack occurs due to blocked flow of blood which may often be from a blood clot to your heart muscle.
Angina – Angina is another term for your chest pain that occurs due to poor blood flow to your heart. This generally occurs by the accumulation of thick plaques on inner walls of arteries that carry blood to your heart. The plaques narrow the arteries and restrict blood supply to the heart at the time of physical activity.
Aortic dissection – This is a life-threatening condition which involves main artery leading from the heart. When the inner layers of this blood vessel separate, the blood will be forced between the layers and lead aorta to rupture.
Inflammation of sac around heart – The condition leads to sharp pain which becomes worse at the time of breathing in or lying down.

Digestive causes

Heartburn. This burning sensation behind your breastbone happens when stomach acid washes up from stomach into the tube that connects throat to the stomach.
Swallowing disorders – The disorders of esophagus make swallowing somewhat difficult and painful.
Pancreas or gallbladder problems – Inflammation of pancreas or gallbladder may lead to abdominal pain that spreads to your chest.

Muscle and bone causes

Costochondritis – The cartilage of rib cage joins ribs to your breastbone which gets inflamed and painful.
Injured ribs – The broken or bruised rib may lead to chest pain.
Sore muscles – Severe pain syndromes like fibromyalgia may lead to persistent muscle-related chest pain.

Lung-related causes

Blood clot in the lung – The blood clot which gets stuck in the lung artery might block flow of blood to the lung tissue.
Inflammation of membrane covering – The condition may lead to chest pain which becomes worsen when you cough or inhale.
Collapsed lung – The chest pain related to collapsed lung usually begins suddenly and may last for a few hours and is related to breath shortness. A collapsed lung happens when air leaks into the space between the ribs and the lungs.
High pressure in lung arteries – The condition affects arteries which carries blood to the lungs and lead to chest pain.

Other causes

Chest pain may also occur due to:

Panic attack – When you experience intense fear with chest pain, there can be quick heartbeat, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, dizziness, profuse sweating, nausea, and fear of dying. This means you may have a panic attack.
Shingles – This occurs due to reactivation of chickenpox virus, shingles may produce pain and band of blisters from the back around to chest wall.

How to diagnose chest pain

You need to seek for emergency treatment immediately when you think you have a heart attack. Also, if the chest pain is new, unexplained, or may last for more than a few moments. The doctor will ask some questions and your answers will help to diagnose the exact cause of your chest pain. Make sure you are prepared to discuss any related symptoms and share information about any medications, treatments or other medical conditions that you might have.

How you will know if your chest pain is serious

Chest pain may denote a heart attack. Other signs of a heart attack are:

Vomiting or nausea
Shortness of breath
Sweating.
Light-headedness or fainting
Irregular or rapid heartbeat
Pain in the jaw, back, upper abdomen, shoulder, neck or arm

Risk factors with chest pain

Old age
Family history of heart disease
Diabetes
Use of tobacco
High pressure
High cholesterol
Not doing enough exercise
Other health problems

How to prevent chest pain

Take a healthy diet – Your healthcare provider will prepare an eating plan which is suitable for you.
Manage health conditions – You should keep your blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol in control.
Exercise daily – You need to perform your exercises in most days of the week.
Maintain a healthy weight – It is important to maintain healthy weight to stay fit and strong.
Restrict the intake of alcohol – You need to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Do not use tobacco products – You should say no to tobacco products and stay protected.

What kind of chest pain can be alarming?

Anxiety, muscle strain, infection, and heart or lung problems and indigestion can be the reason for your chest pain. If the chest pain is changing, unexplained or new, you should seek help from your health care provider.

How long is actually too long for chest pain?

When the chest pain becomes continuous, you need to get medical attention immediately. If the chest pain persists for several days, weeks or months, it is unlikely to occur due to a heart attack. Heart pain is usually not stabbing or sharp.

How will you know if chest pain is related to heart?

Uncomfortable pressure, burning, squeezing, tightness, pain or fullness in the center of your chest
Prickling, numbness, pain, pinching, or other uncomfortable sensations in one or both the arms, jaw, neck, stomach or back
Vomiting or nausea all of a sudden
Shortness of breath.

When you need to visit a chest specialist

When you experience new or unexplained chest pain or think you can have a heart attack, you should see a doctor immediately. Make sure you do not ignore the symptoms of a heart attack and stay safe.

Consult with your doctor when chest pain persists for a long time!