Most causes of sudden, sharp chest pain are not caused by a heart attack. However, some other causes of chest pain can be serious. If you have chest pain or any other symptoms of a heart condition, get immediate medical attention.
A doctor can find out what is causing your chest pain. You may need a chest X-ray or scan and a blood test. An ECG test that looks at your heartbeat can check your heart health. Only a small percentage of people with chest pain are actually having a heart attack. However, it is always better to have a doctor confirm the cause of your sudden, sharp chest pain. Here are 30 possible causes for this symptom. Pleurisy is inflammation in the pleura of the lungs that can be accompanied by pain.
In some cases, it can evolve into pleural effusion, which is when…. Acute respiratory infection is an infection that may interfere with normal breathing. It usually begins as a viral infection in the nose, windpipe, or….
During a heart attack, blood supply that normally nourishes the heart with oxygen is cut off and the heart muscle begins to die. COVID and anxiety can both lead to chest pain or tightness. However, there are many less serious causes of a tight…. Tietze syndrome involves a painful swelling or lump in or around the upper ribs. The symptoms are similar to costochondritis, but there are key…. Pain in your chest when swallowing food or drink can be alarming.
If your chest hurts when you swallow, it could be due to a variety of conditions…. This is especially true if your symptoms quickly go away. But if your chest pain and…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R. When to go to the ER. Common causes. Other causes.
Heart attack vs. Lightheadedness or dizziness. Doctors use several pieces of information to determine who is, and who isn't, having a heart attack. In addition to the description of your symptoms and your heart risk profile, doctors use the results of an electrocardiogram ECG and a blood test called cardiac troponin.
But sometimes these don't immediately show abnormalities. So, what you describe to the doctor and your medical history are extremely important in determining the initial steps in your treatment. Clear answers to these questions go a long way toward nailing down a diagnosis. A few seconds of recurrent stabbing pain is less likely to be a heart attack see box , while pain centered in the chest that spreads out to the left arm or jaw is more likely to be one.
Pain or pressure accompanied by other signs, such as difficulty breathing, a cold sweat, or sudden nausea. Pain or pressure that appears during or after physical exertion or emotional stress heart attack or while you are at rest unstable angina.
Unlike an achy knee or crabby lower back, chest pain isn't something to shrug off until tomorrow. It also isn't something to diagnose at home. Don't play doctor — go see one, fast, if you are worried about pain or discomfort in your chest, upper back, left arm, or jaw; or suddenly faint or develop a cold sweat, nausea, or vomiting. Call or your local emergency number to summon an emergency medical crew.
It will whisk you to the hospital in a vehicle full of equipment that can start the diagnosis and keep you stable if your heart really is in trouble. Pain from a heart attack isn't confined to the area around the heart. The most typical locations are marked in dark red; light red shows other possible areas. What if it isn't a heart attack? You will be evaluated as if you are having one and, when it is ruled out as the cause of your symptoms, your doctors will look for the actual cause.
They won't be mad at you for crying wolf. Instead, they should congratulate you for taking action if they don't, we will and work with you to get at the root of your chest pain and ease it. If the cause was indigestion, a panic attack, or another possibly recurring condition, the emergency department doctors and your primary care physician can help you interpret what your body is telling you.
Chest pain is serious business. If you think yours might be due to a heart attack, take action right away. The sooner you are checked out, the sooner you can get the kind of artery-opening therapy that can protect your heart from permanent damage.
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Underlying causes of chest pain may be mild, as in the case of acid reflux. Or, they may be serious and indicate, for example, a heart attack. It is important to recognize warning signs and look for accompanying symptoms. In this article, we explore the possible causes of chest pain that comes and goes. We also describe how to tell when the pain is heart-related, and when to see a doctor.
Pain in the chest that comes and goes may signal a problem with the heart, respiratory system, or digestion. Also, in some people, it occurs during panic attacks. There is no way to accurately self-diagnose chest pain based on symptoms alone. See a doctor if chest pain keeps coming back, gets worse, or accompanies other symptoms.
Pain that lasts for weeks or months is unlikely to be caused by a life-threatening emergency. The issue is more likely related to the muscles or skeletal structure. Heart problems are less likely to cause pain that:. Many types of chest pain come and go. Even the pain of a heart attack may temporarily get better, then return. To better understand the cause of chest pain, look carefully for other symptoms, and keep in mind any risk factors for medical conditions. A wide variety of gastrointestinal problems can lead to pain in the chest or near the ribs.
For example:. When a person has acid reflux, chest pain tends to be more intense shortly after a meal. Also, it may be worse after consuming alcohol or fatty foods. If a person suspects that chest pain is related to a stomach or liver issue, it is important to see a doctor.
However, this type of pain does not usually signal an emergency. Chest pain can be a frightening symptom of a panic attack, and it may make a person feel more anxious. The pain can be similar to that of a heart attack. Some people with panic attacks may feel as if they are dying.
These attacks often go away with deep breathing. In some cases, they may last for only a few minutes. If the pain does not go away, it can be difficult to distinguish a panic attack from a heart attack without the help of a doctor.
Some people develop a condition called pleurisy following a respiratory infection. Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura, which is the tissue that wraps around the outside of the lungs. Angina is pain or discomfort in the chest that occurs when the heart does not get enough blood. People with angina may feel tension, pressure, or a squeezing sensation in the chest.
The pain may also radiate to the jaw. The pain of angina is similar to that of a heart attack, and angina one risk factor for the condition. Angina is usually a symptom of coronary heart disease CHD , which occurs when the arteries become clogged.
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