What are the Types and Causes of Chest Pain?

Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen. Chest pain appears in several forms, manifesting from a sharp stab to a dull ache. Chest pain can occasionally feel crushing or burning. Sometimes the pain radiates to the jaw, up the neck, and down one or both limbs before settling into the back. In this blog we will discuss about the types and causes of chest pain.

Numerous problems with your heart, lungs, or digestive system can be the causes for your chest pain. While some causes don't pose a threat to life, others do. A medical professional can diagnose and treat your chest pain, allowing you to feel more at ease. Medications or surgery are two possible therapies for chest discomfort.

Also, Read: Understanding in Detail About Chest Pain

Exploring the Types and Causes of Chest Pain

The causes of chest pain have been subdivided into different categories such as heart-related causes of chest pain, gastrointestinal causes of chest pain, lung-related causes of chest pain, muscle or bone-related causes of chest pain, and other causes. Let’s elaborate:

What are the Heart-related Causes of Chest Pain?

Heart-related chest pain can result from conditions like angina, heart attack, and pericarditis. The following are the heart-related causes of chest pain:

• Heart attack which occurs as a result of lack of blood supply to the heart
• Angina or chest pain which occurs due to blockages in blood vessels leading into the heart
• Myocarditis (inflammation of muscles in the heart)
• Pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart)
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of heart muscles)
• Aortic dissection (tear in aorta)
• Aortic aneurysm(bulging in aorta)
• Aortic stenosis(heart valve which blocks blood flow because it doesn’t open)
• Mitral valve prolapse (type of heart valve disease)
• Coronary artery disease (blockage in the arteries in the heart)
• Coronary artery dissection (tear in the coronary artery)
• Problems in heart rhythm 

What are the Gastrointestinal Causes of Chest Pain?

Gastrointestinal chest pain can result from conditions like acid reflux, esophageal spasms, and gallstones. The following are the gastrointestinal causes of chest pain:

• Acid reflux or heartburn after eating
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Ulcers or sores in the stomach lining
• Difficulty in swallowing due to some conditions in the esophagus
• Gallstones
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)  or gallbladder 
• Gastritis and esophagitis
• Hiatal hernia (a portion of the stomach moving up towards the esophagus)

What are the Lung-related Causes of Chest Pain?

Lung-related chest pain can result from conditions like pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and pleuritis. The following are the lung-related causes of chest pain:

• Pneumonia, which causes chest pain that may get harder while breathing
• Viral bronchitis, which causes muscle aches and soreness in the chest
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) which causes sudden onset of chest pain
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in lungs) causes chest pain which gets worsened with breathing
• Bronchospasm (tightness in the chest) resulting from asthma and COPD
• Lung cancer

What are the Muscle or Bone-related Causes of Chest Pain?

Muscle or bone-related chest pain can result from conditions like muscle strain, rib fractures, and costochondritis. The following are the muscle or bone-related causes of chest pain:

• Strained chest muscle
• Rib fracture
• Swollen chest cartilage (Costochondritis)
• Pressure in nerves resulting from compression fractures

What are the Other Causes of Chest Pain?

Apart from the above, other causes of chest pain include:

• Shingles
• Panic attack
• Anxiety
• referred pain from the neck or back

If you believe you could be experiencing a heart attack, get emergency care right away. This is especially important if your chest pain is sudden, unclear, or lasts longer than a few minutes.

Your responses to the questions your doctor asks will aid in determining the source of your chest pain. Be ready to give information about any drugs, therapies, or other medical issues you may have, as well as to discuss any connected symptoms.

Your doctor might advise certain tests to help diagnose or eliminate heart-related problems as a reason for your chest pain. These include:

• Chest X-ray to examine heart, lungs, and blood vessels
• Blood tests to check the enzyme levels
• An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to check the electrical activity of the heart
• Echocardiogram
• MRI to assess the structure of the heart and aorta
• Angiogram to check for blocks in arteries
• Stress tests to check the heart functioning after exertion

Conclusion

Chest pain can be caused by a variety of diseases, however, the majority of people associate it with a heart attack. Once you see any of the warning signs of a heart attack, seek medical attention immediately.  In order to inform your healthcare professional of your actions, mentally record what you were doing when you had chest pain. Your doctor can diagnose you more accurately if you can explain the type of pain you're experiencing and where it's occurring.

For expert guidance on heart health, schedule a consultation with the best cardiologists in Delhi, India at Artemis Cardiac Care. Book your appointment now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How can I determine whether my chest pain is serious?
A: Chest pain can result from a plethora of factors. If you experience sudden, intense chest discomfort or if the pain spreads to your left arm or jaw, you should go to the hospital. If your chest pain is accompanied by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath, get medical attention. 

Q: Can gas cause chest pain?
A: Yes. chest pain can occur as a result of gas accumulation in your chest. In such cases, you might have a feeling of pressure or tightness on either the left or the right side of your chest. Your upper abdomen or chest hurts sharply and jabbingly.

Q: Which is the best cardiac hospital in India?
A: Artemis Cardiac Care is one of the best cardiology hospitals in India. For expert guidance on heart health, schedule a consultation with the best cardiologists in India at Artemis Cardiac Care. Book your appointment now!