WHEN TO WORRY ABOUT CHEST PAIN

Promed Hospital | November 15, 2022

4 min. read

Chest pain refers to discomfort in the chest area. Typically, mild chest pain isn’t a severe problem. It is usually because of gas, heartburn, anxiety/panic attacks, and pneumonia. However, it is best to visit the doctor for a check-up.

What causes chest pain? What are the symptoms?

1. Gas:

When gas is trapped inside the body, it can lead to stabbing pain in the chest and abdomen along with burping, bloating, indigestion, etc.

2. Heartburn:

Smoking, obesity, stress, eating spicy food, citrus fruits, alcohol consumption, etc., cause heartburn. Symptoms comprise of a burning sensation in the chest, usually after eating.

3. Panic Attacks:

Caused by intense anxiety, the symptoms of a panic attack range from shortness of breath, and rapid beating of the heart, heaviness in the chest, to chest pain and fear.

4. Pneumonia:

Pneumonia is because of the swelling of tissues in the lungs. The symptoms include cough, high temperature, shivering, loss of appetite, chest pain with difficulty in breathing, etc.;

Cardiac Chest Pain

1. Pericarditis:

It is the swelling of the pericardium, a sac-like tissue around the heart. Pericarditis often occurs due to a viral infection. Its symptoms include chest pressure and pain, shortness of breath, etc.

2. Angina:

Usually occurs where there is a fat build-up in the arteries which causes them to narrow, and restricts blood flow and oxygen. It doesn’t show any symptoms at first but can cause heart attacks and strokes without proper treatment.

3. Heart Attack:

Caused by intense anxiety, the symptoms of a panic attack range from shortness of breath, and rapid beating of the heart, heaviness in the chest, to chest pain and fear.

4. Pneumonia:

This occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked. It causes severe pain in the chest, shortness of breath and dizziness.

When should I worry?

Chest pain doesn’t always signify a serious problem. If you’re a 15-year-old or a 20-year-old, chest pain is unlikely to be something that’s life-threatening.

He further adds that the typical symptoms of chest pain (such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and discomfort in the throat, jaw, neck, arms, back and stomach) are more common in women than in men. Pain with associated symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of impending doom is more likely due to heart ache.

Any kind of new symptom you have that is not resolved in five minutes; you probably should pay attention to it. Pain that’s persistent, even if it is not due to a heart attack, could be something else that’s life-threatening or pretty serious.