Chest pain can stem from a heart problem, but other possible causes include a lung infection, muscle strain, a rib injury, or a panic attack. Some of these are serious conditions and need medical attention.
Chest pain is the second biggest cause of emergency room (ER) visits in the United States, leading to over 8 million ER visits every year. Worldwide, chest pain affects 20–40% of the general population.
In this article, learn about some possible causes of chest pain and other symptoms that can help identify them.
Females, particularly may also experience sudden tiredness, nausea, or vomiting.
If someone thinks they are having a heart attack, they should seek emergency medical help. The quicker a person can get to the ER, the quicker treatment can begin.
Getting prompt treatment increases a person’s chances of survival and potentially reduces the severity of the damage to the heart.
Angina feels like a squeezing pain or pressure on the chest. It occurs when not enough blood is getting to the heart. A person may also feel pain in the:
Aortic dissection is a tear or separation of the inner layers of the aorta, the main artery that leads from the heart. This can lead to a buildup of blood in the artery.
An aortic aneurysm refers to an enlargement in the aorta. Both conditions can cause the aorta to rupture or burst.
Aortic dissection and a severe aortic aneurysm are emergencies and require immediate medical help. A stable aortic aneurysm may not need emergency treatment.
5. Coronary artery dissection
Coronary artery dissection occurs when there is a tear in the coronary artery wall. If the innermost layer tears, blood can seep through and build up, causing a bulge. It can lead to a heart attack.
Sudden intense pain that appears to “tear†across the chest, neck, back, or abdomen can be a symptom of coronary artery dissection.
This is a rare but serious condition. The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that experts do not know exactly why it happens, but it can affect people without the usual risk factors for heart disease.
6. Pericarditis
Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac around the heart.
obstructive shock, when the heart cannot fill with blood effectively
Possible causes may be infections, malignancy, autoimmune disease, metabolic abnormalities, trauma, and medications. In up to 90% of cases, no clear cause can be found despite extensive testing.
7. Mitral valve prolapse
A mitral valve prolapse is a valve in the heart that is unable to close fully. In mild cases, this condition may have no obvious symptoms.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the heart growing too thick due to genetic factors. The thickening of the heart prevents blood from flowing from the heart properly, causing the muscle to work very hard to pump blood.
A person who notices this should seek medical advice, as it can worsen over time and lead to other complications, such as blood clots and heart failure.
The following conditions affect organs that play a role in digestion. Chest pain can be a symptom.
17. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis usually results from gallstones. Chronic, or long-term pancreatitis stems from genetic features or high alcohol consumption.
A person may notice:
upper abdominal pain, which may begin suddenly or slowly, be mild or severe, and last several days
swollen or tender abdomen
nausea and vomiting
fever
pain that radiates to the back
If a person notices these symptoms for the first time, they should seek medical help at once.
In a person with esophageal hypersensitivity, sensations that are not usually painful can cause severe pain.
Experts do not know exactly why this happens, but cells in the gullet may be particularly sensitive to acid. Stress may trigger symptoms in people who are susceptible.
20. Esophageal rupture
If the food pipe bursts, this can result in sudden, intense chest pain. An esophageal rupture may occur after a procedure involving the esophagus or a traumatic injury.
Here are some other reasons chest pain might occur.
23. Panic attack
A panic attack is a sudden attack of panic or fear. Often a person does not know why it happens, but it may be a symptom of a condition known as panic disorder.
Inflammation of the muscles and tendons around the ribs can result in persistent chest pain. If the pain becomes worse with activity, then it may be a symptom of a muscle strain.
Injuries to the ribs, such as bruises, breaks, and fractures, can cause chest pain. A person may have heard a crack or felt extreme pain at the time of injury if they have a broken rib.
Here are the answers to some questions people often ask about chest pain.
How do I know if my chest pain is serious?
Chest pain that comes on suddenly may be serious. Alongside this, other serious symptoms include pain that spreads to the arms, back, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, or pain that starts with nausea, vomiting, and sweating.
Any person experiencing chest pain should consult a doctor.
What can cause chest pain besides a heart attack?
Some common causes of chest pain, besides a heart attack, include myocarditis, angina, pneumonia, and Covid-19.
Can you have chest pain without a heart attack?
Yes, it is possible for a person to have chest pain without a heart attack being the cause. Indeed, a person’s chest may be hurting for many reasons, ranging from muscle strain to a panic attack.
However, it is best to seek medical advice for any type of chest pain, as some causes can have severe consequences.
What causes chest pain if an EKG is normal?
An electrocardiogram (EKG) can offer important information, for instance, about possible narrowing of the coronary arteries, a heart attack, or an irregular heartbeat like atrial fibrillation.
However, if a person’s electrocardiogram (EKG) results are normal, it is possible that chest pain may be caused by conditions that are non-cardiovascular in nature. These include a panic attack, injured ribs, pancreatitis, or esophageal spasms.
What are the 4 signs of an impending heart attack?
Four signs of an impending heart attack include:
pain in the jaw, neck, or back
lightheadedness or weakness
pain in the arms or shoulders
shortness of breath
People with these symptoms should seek immediate medical help.
Chest pain can happen for many reasons. Often, the other signs that occur with it will give an idea of why chest pain occurs.
However, any severe chest pain needs urgent medical attention, especially if it is radiating to the arm, back, or neck, if the heart rate changes, or if the person has trouble breathing.
Anyone with concerns about chest pain should seek medical advice to rule out life threatening causes and obtain suitable treatment.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
