5 Chest Pain Causes

Need to know about 5 chest pain causes? Whether the pain is chronic or acute in nature, it is important to know the cause if you want a treat chest pain. Chest pain should always be investigated by a doctor to ensure the problem is not life-threatening.

1. Panic attack Panic attacks can be an extremely frightening experience that includes chest pain, shortness of breath or heart palpitations. A panic attack is the body’s overreaction to a perceived fear or threat. Other symptoms may include profuse sweating, shakiness and difficulty swallowing.
2. Heart disease Many people’s first reaction to chest pain is to wonder if they’re having a heart attack. A heart attack is often indicated by a crushing pressure in the chest and pain in the upper left arm. Other cardiac chest pain causes include hardening of the arteries (angina), inflammation of the heart (pericarditis), or impaired blood pumping ability (congestive heart failure).
3. Respiratory disease Many respiratory or breathing conditions cause pain in the chest area. If lungs fill with fluid (pneumonia) or collapses (pneumothorax) or coughing and/or wheezing associated with asthma or a cold occurs, it can cause chest pain.
4. Pulled muscle Muscle injuries, such as a pulled muscle in the chest area, can often mimic actual chest pain. Sometimes even a bruised rib or torn cartilage can produce similar pain.
5. Digestive disease Certain stomach diseases--namely heartburn--can cause pain or a burning sensation in your stomach, chest and throat. A hiatal hernia involves the stomach being pushed into the diaphragm causing pain and pressure, especially when eating. Some stomach pain can radiate to the chest area, such as gallbladder pain.

References:

Mayo Clinic: Chest Pain

Family Doctor: Chest Pain, Acute