When this happens, and the heart pumps out less blood, it can cause chest pain. As a result, the heart is able to hold less blood and cannot pump as effectively.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can also prevent the heart from keeping a healthy electrical rhythm. The lungs reside in the chest cavity, and the following health issues affecting the lungs can cause pain in the area:. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is an umbrella term for emphysema and chronic bronchitis. People with COPD often have pain in the upper middle chest, as well as lung inflammation, frequent coughing, and airway swelling.
They may also experience costochondritis — inflammation of the muscles between the ribs. This can cause discomfort and stabbing, burning, or aching chest pain. People without COPD can also develop costochondritis, triggered by a viral illness, for example. Upper or lower respiratory infections, as well as pneumonia , can lead to chest pain. This is especially likely if a person is frequently coughing, which can tire and irritate the chest muscles.
This refers to a clot that blocks the flow of blood in the lungs. It is a medical emergency that can be life threatening. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include shortness of breath, anxiety, dizziness, and coughing. The following health issues affecting the stomach or esophagus — a thin tube that connects the mouth to the stomach — can lead to chest pain:.
This refers to the esophagus contracting and relaxing rapidly. The result can be severe chest pain and discomfort, among other symptoms. The causes of these spasms are unclear, but stress and dietary and environmental factors may play a role. Tips for enjoying holiday meals. A conversation about reducing the harms of social media.
Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys. Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy? Can vaping help you quit smoking? Heart Health Chest pain: A heart attack or something else? August 29, Print This Page Click to Print. Heart Health. Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Sign Up. Close Thanks for visiting. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.
I want to get healthier. Close Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Close Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Sign me up. Many heart disease patients also say they had brief episodes of chest pain or other symptoms in the weeks or months preceding the actual event. Chest pain is a nonspecific symptom, meaning it does not mean that you are definitely having a heart attack or a specific medical condition.
Consider these types of chest pain, which often have non-cardiac causes:. Pinpoint pain that gets worse in different positions. Heart pain is usually diffuse, meaning that it is general and may spread to other areas. If you have a sharp, stabbing pain in a specific point of your chest, it may be something else. The discomfort that changes with breathing or your position i. Others may feel only arm, throat or jaw discomfort. Rimmerman says. Not all chest pains are symptoms of a heart attack.
Learn which symptoms could signal trouble and which are probably something else. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Trending Topics. What Parents Need to Know.
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