Complete Causes of Chest Pain and Sharp Pains in the Chest

Main Causes of Sharp Pains and Chest Discomfort

If suddenly you feel pain on the left side of your chest, your first thought is likely to be that you are having aheart attack.While chest pain can indeed be a sign of heart disease or a heart attack, it is not always the case. In this section ofSelMagz,we will discuss some of the causes of chest pains.Read more about the causes of some chest pains on SelMagz.Causes of some chest pains

1. Angina:  

Angina itself is not a disease but often indicates a heart problem such as coronary artery disease. When your heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen from the blood, you may experience chest pain. Feeling discomfort or pressure in the heart muscles may mean you have angina, and you might also feel discomfort in the arms, shoulders, neck, back, or jaw. It’s important to undergo diagnostic tests such as blood tests, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, and stress tests to identify underlying health issues and treat them.

2. Heart Attack:Heart attacks occur when the heart muscles do not get enough oxygen from the blood and become damaged. Some heart attacks start with mild, sudden chest pain that gradually worsens.Symptoms that may accompany chest pain include:

Feeling suffocated or pressure in the chest

Pain in the left arm, though it may also occur in the right arm.

Pain radiating to the neck, jaw, back, and stomach

• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat
• Heartburn
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Dizziness and confusion
• The signs of a heart attack vary among individuals. The most common symptoms in men and women include chest pain and discomfort, but women may also experience:
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea

Vomiting

• Pain in the back of the jaw
• If someone close to you experiences these symptoms, seek immediate medical care as a heart attack may be happening. The more oxygen deprivation the heart muscles experience, the more damage occurs.
• Emergency care should be initiated immediately, and after some time, hospitalization and medication begin. Lifestyle changes are also beneficial.
• These include:

Heart-healthy dietDaily exercise routinesMaintaining a balanced weight

Not smoking

3. Myocarditis:

• Chest pain accompanied by the following symptoms may indicate inflammation of the heart muscle:
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Fatigue

Myocarditis can also affect the heart’s electrical system, weaken the heart, or cause permanent damage to the heart muscle. Mild cases often recover without treatment, but severe cases require medication.

4. Cardiomyopathy:

• Cardiomyopathy is a disease where the heart is enlarged. It can sometimes be present without symptoms but may only be noticed through chest pain and other signs such as:
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness

Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Swelling in ankles, hands, and abdomen

Treatment includes medications, cardiac procedures, and surgery.

Some lifestyle changes can help improve condition, such as:

• Reducing salt intake
• Dropping excess weight
• Avoiding alcohol
• Engaging in regular light exercise

These efforts can aid recovery.

5. Pericarditis:

• The pericardium is a thin tissue layer covering the heart. When this area becomes inflamed or irritated, it can cause severe pain on the left or middle of the chest, and you may also feel pain in one or both shoulders. These symptoms could also trigger a heart attack, which may be mild or severe.
• 6. Panic Attacks:
• Panic attacks happen suddenly and peak within 10 minutes. During a panic attack, chest pain is common.
• The following signs can mimic heart attack symptoms:

Shortness of breath

 Rapid heartbeat

Trembling and dizziness

Cold sweat and hot flashes

Nausea

Feeling suffocated

• Severe fear and sense of impending doom
• Anxiety
• And distress
• If you think you are having a panic attack, see a doctor because other health issues like heart problems and thyroid disorders can have similar symptoms. Panic disorder is a mental health condition that can be treated. Your doctor may recommend therapy, and if it persists, medication is prescribed.
• Additional helpful strategies include:
• Practicing stress management and relaxation techniques.
• Joining support and motivational groups.Avoiding:Caffeine

tobacco, alcohol, and addictive drugs.Engaging in regular physical activity.Getting enough sleep at night.

7. Heartburn and Acid Reflux:

• Heartburn and discomfort or pain in the chest occur when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, which may cause a burning sensation during the pain.
• The following symptoms may also be present:
• A burning sensation in the chest and throatA sour taste in the mouthFood or stomach contents coming back up the esophagus
• Heartburn usually happens after eating and lying down. It can wake you up during sleep.
• Severe acid reflux, called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can also cause coughing, wheezing, and swallowing difficulties, besides chest pain.

Heartburn can be managed with antacids prescribed by a doctor; stronger medications may be recommended if necessary.

If you experience frequent heartburn, the following tips can help:

Eating smaller, lighter meals

• Avoiding fried and fatty foods
• Staying away from alcohol and tobacco
• Reducing weight

8. Hiatal Hernia:

Hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes up through the opening in the diaphragm. Symptoms include:Chest painAbdominal pain

Heartburn

Food rising back into the mouth.You can manage these symptoms with the following approaches:Eating smaller, more frequent meals

• Avoiding foods that trigger heartburn
• Not lying down immediately after eating
• 9. Esophageal Problems:
• Chest pain may indicate issues with your esophagus.

For example:

Esophageal spasms can cause chest pain.

• Inflamed esophageal wall can cause burning and severe chest pain, in addition to chest pain after eating, swallowing problems, blood in stool, and vomiting.
• Esophageal rupture causes leakage of food into the chest cavity and may cause severe or mild chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and rapid breathing. Treatment depends on the cause and may require surgery.
• 10. Chest Wall Strain and Injury:
• Chest pain can result from strain, injury to the ribs, bruising of the chest wall, or fractured sternum. These injuries cause pain when breathing or coughing.

If you suspect broken ribs or sternum, see a doctor immediately. Recovery can take weeks, and strenuous activities should be avoided.

• 11. Lung Destruction:
• Sudden severe pain on both sides of the chest may be due to lung destruction, which can result from illness or trauma. Symptoms include: shortness of breath, rapid breathing, bluish skin, coughing, and fatigue.
• 12. Pneumonia:

Sudden sharp chest pain during breathing or coughing may indicate pneumonia, especially after recent bronchitis or influenza.

Other symptoms include:

Coughing, sometimes with mucus

• Fever and chills
• Shortness of breathHeadache and lack of focusLoss of appetite and fatigue
• If you think you have pneumonia, see a doctor and rest well, drink plenty of fluids.The doctor may prescribe:Antibiotics

Antiviral medications, if necessary, and in severe cases, hospitalization may be required.

13. Lung Cancer:Chest pain can sometimes be caused by lung cancer, which is accompanied by other signs such as:Severe cough with mucus or blood

Pain in the back and shoulders unrelated to coughing

Shortness of breath

Symptoms similar to bronchitis or influenza

Unexplained weight loss

Sudden worsening of health, such as rapid weight loss, can be signs of early lung cancer. Prompt diagnosis and treatment increase chances of recovery.14. Pulmonary Hypertension:High blood pressure in the lungs causes chest pain.Additional signs may include:Fainting or dizzinessShortness of breathLack of energy

Progression can cause:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Rapid pulse, leading to heart failure if untreated
• 15. Pulmonary Embolism:
• Sudden severe chest pain along with symptoms like the following may indicate a pulmonary embolism.
• Clot in the lung

Back pain

Shortness of breathConfusion and dizzinessThis condition requires urgent medical treatment immediately.

Summary:

Despite certain conditions, symptoms accompanying chest pain are usually quite similar across cases. If you experience chest pain without any clear reason, seek medical attention promptly for accurate diagnosis.Sudden chest pain with symptoms like breathing difficulty, pressure in the chest, and dizziness can be an emergency. In such situations, call emergency services immediately or seek help from someone nearby.Heart Attack

• Causes of Chest Pain
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Pericarditis
• What is PericarditisFoodSymptoms of Hiatal Hernia

Cough

Causes of Chest Pain

Signs of Heart Attack

Causes of Chest Pain

• Stress Relief
• Chest Pain
• Signs of Heart Attack

Panic Attack SymptomsHow to Treat AnxietyThyroid Symptoms

Caffeine Properties

Gastroesophageal Reflux TreatmentHeartburn ReliefWhat is CardiomyopathyCauses of Blood in StoolHealthy Foods

Treatment of Cough

• Pneumonia Treatment
• Bronchitis Treatment
• Influenza Symptoms

Antibiotic Side Effects

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Rapid Weight Loss

Pulmonary EmbolismNormal Infant Heart RateTreatment of Pulmonary Embolism