Chest pain—when you hear those two words, your fears begin to rise, and your mind immediately thinks that it can be a sign of heart issues. It’s a terrifying and very real possibility. But here’s the thing: Not all chest pain is a symptom of heart disease or heart attack. In truth, there are plenty of other reasons why your chest could hurt.
Now, imagine you feel an abrupt, sharp twinge in your chest. Your mind races. Panic sets in. What if it is just a muscle strain from that workout yesterday? Or was it that spicy meal that didn’t agree with you? The fact is, chest pain can have causes ranging from acid reflux to lung infections to even a pulled muscle from poor posture.
In this blog, we’re exploring 10 causes of chest pain that are not related to a heart attack. This blog is here to help you find out what your body is trying to tell you about the different types of chest pain.
Causes of chest pain
Digestive issue: Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth and stomach), so when it flows backward, it causes a burning sensation in the chest, which is commonly known as heartburn, and the pain of the acid reflux is in the middle of the chest.
Must strain: As we know, our chest is made up of muscles that help in movement and breathing. When we lift heavy objects or do any intense workout, it puts strains on our muscles, and sometimes, muscle strain chest pain can occur, and it is one of the most common non cardiac causes of chest pain.
Anxiety and panic attack: If you have a sudden panic and anxiety attack, then it can lead to chest tightness, shortness of breath, sweating, and chest pain, and very few people think it can be a heart attack, but it’s not. It is chest discomfort, but if you do proper breathing exercises, counseling, etc., then you can manage this type of chest pain.
Lung issue: Some lung diseases can also be chest discomfort reasons, such as
- Pneumonia: It infects the lungs and causes cough, fever, chills, and chest pain.
- Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot in the lungs, which can also cause chest pain along with breathing problems, but sometimes it requires immediate medical attention as it’s a serious issue.
Stress: Feeling stressed or anxious not only affects your mind but also your body and is also one of the common causes of chest pain. Majorly people think it can be a sign of a heart attack, but it’s not. Stress-related chest pain usually goes away when you calm yourself. Deep breathing exercises, gentle movement, etc., can help you release stress.
Costochondritis: It is the inflammation of cartilage. It can result from injury, an infection, hard coughing, or repetitive strain, such as from rigorous weightlifting, which can cause a sharp or dull pain in the front of the chest. It may seem like a heart attack, but it’s not because, in many cases, it resolves with medications, rest, and physical therapy.
Asthma and bronchitis: If you are suffering from problems like asthma or bronchitis, then it, too, can be a reason for chest pain. Along with this, you also get symptoms like chest tightness, shortness of breath, etc., so it means both of these conditions lead to chest pain, but inhalers, medicines, proper respiratory care, and exercise can cure it.
Peptic ulcer disease: When sores develop in the lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine, one of the symptoms is a pain in the area of the upper stomach or chest pain, which can be confused with a heart attack.
Shingles: Shingles is also one of the chest discomfort reasons. It’s a virus-caused burning or sharp pain on one side of your chest, followed by a red rash. They involve the nerves and may initially seem like deep chest pain. However, the pain is reduced with early treatment.
Conclusion
As we read above, we can conclude that not every chest pain is a sign of a heart attack, but prevention is better than cure, and chest pain should never be ignored. If you are experiencing pain, then you can visit a trusted or leading center, that is, Khetan Hospital, which provides chest pain treatment in Jaipur. Getting early treatment gives you peace of mind and protects your health.