UAB News. Click to begin search. Current Covid Health and Safety Guidelines. March 09, Print Email. There are plenty of other potential suspects when it comes to chest pain. Written by: UAB Medicine Media contact: Adam Pope Mild or severe discomfort in the middle or left side of the chest that feels like fullness, pressure or squeezing could be a potential sign of a cardiovascular event. Below are some signs of a potentially real cardiovascular event that warrant immediate medical attention: Mild or severe discomfort in the middle or left side of the chest that feels like fullness, pressure or squeezing; it lasts several minutes, ends, then returns Difficulty breathing, whether during rest or after physical activity Mild or severe chest pain that radiates into arms and neck or shoulders and into the jaws Nausea and dizziness Heavy sweating Weakness in limbs, loss of coordination All symptoms end and then return, continuing that cycle for several hours The symptoms of a heart attack tend to increase in severity and duration as they fade and then return.
Gregory Chapman, M. Mimicking a heart attack When chest pain turns out not to be a heart attack, it is good news; but it also might indicate that you need to talk with a doctor about what is causing the discomfort.
Some of the most common non-cardiac conditions that can feel like a heart attack include: Heartburn: One of the most frequent causes of chest pain is a type of indigestion that can feel as though your heart is on fire yet has nothing to do with the heart. Your doctor can determine if you need treatment, such as medications for acid reflux or related conditions. Panic attack: This is a feeling of being out of control, with sudden overwhelming anxiety and fear.
Costochondritis pain may get worse when sitting or lying in certain positions, as well as when a person does any physical activity. Esophageal contraction disorders are spasms or contractions in the food pipe. These disorders can also cause chest pain. Changes in pressure in the food pipe or the presence of acid can sometimes cause severe pain. At present, experts are not sure what causes this sensitivity. If the food pipe bursts, this can result in sudden, intense chest pain.
An esophageal rupture may occur after intense vomiting or an operation involving the esophagus. A hiatal hernia is when part of the stomach pushes up into the chest. This type of hernia is very common and may not cause any symptoms. However, if the top of the stomach pushes into the lower part of the chest after eating, it can cause symptoms of GERD , such as heartburn and chest pain. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is when the heart grows too thick due to genetic factors.
The thickening of the heart prevents blood from flowing from the heart properly, causing the muscle to work very hard to pump blood.
Symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. Tuberculosis bacteria growing in the lungs can cause symptoms such as a bad cough, coughing up blood or sputum, or pain in the chest.
Chest pain, palpitations, and dizziness are all symptoms of mitral valve prolapse , which is when a valve in the heart is unable to close fully. In mild cases, this condition may have no obvious symptoms. A panic attack may cause chest pain in addition to nausea, dizziness, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and fear.
Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac around the heart. It can result in sharp chest pain that is made worse by intakes of breath or lying down. Pleurisy is inflammation of the membrane that covers the lungs. It can result in sharp chest pain when breathing deeply. Lung infections such as pneumonia can cause sharp or stabbing chest pain. Other symptoms of pneumonia include fever , chills, and coughing up phlegm. It can be caused by GERD or other conditions, such as allergies or an infection.
Esophagitis can make swallowing painful and difficult, while also causing chest pain. In many cases, the pain is like the heartburn brought on by GERD. Chest pain associated with esophageal rupture: mild to severe, and comes on quickly. The lining of the esophagus can sometimes tear. Food and liquids are able to escape through the tear into the chest cavity. This condition can cause mild or severe pain in the chest, depending on the size and location of the tear.
The pain usually comes on quickly and is often accompanied by:. A doctor can use an endoscopy to diagnose this condition. Endoscopy is a procedure in which a very thin tube carrying a tiny camera is guided down the throat and into the esophagus to provide pictures of the esophagus wall. Treatment options include medications to help relax the muscles to ease swallowing, as well as minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Dysphagia is the clinical term for a swallowing disorder. You may have a problem at the top of the throat or farther down the esophagus. A swallowing disorder that affects the esophagus can cause chest pain, as well as coughing.
If you start to have swallowing problems, make an appointment to see your doctor. There are many potential causes of dysphagia. Chest pain associated with gallstones: intense pain that radiates from the upper abdomen to the chest area. Gallstones are hardened little clusters of cholesterol or bilirubin.
Bilirubin is a compound created when red blood cells break down. Gallstones form in your gallbladder. The gallbladder is an organ that contains a chemical called bile, which is used to help with digestion. When gallstones block the bile duct, you can experience intense pain in your upper abdomen. This is called a gallbladder attack. You may feel pain radiating up to your chest, too.
Symptoms usually develop after a large meal. See a doctor right away if abdominal pain lingers for more than an hour or two and you have symptoms that include:. If you have occasional abdominal or chest pains after a heavy meal, report those symptoms to your doctor at your next appointment. Chest pain associated with pancreatitis: pain that radiates from the upper abdomen to the chest and back.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Your pancreas is a large gland near your stomach. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis is sudden, but temporary.
Chronic pancreatitis is a lifetime condition that can cause permanent damage to your pancreas. Symptoms of acute and chronic pancreatitis include pain in the upper abdomen that may spread to your chest and back. With an acute pancreatitis attack, you may experience pain for several days and have other symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, and a swollen belly. Chronic pancreatitis pain may become constant and worsen after meals. Vomiting and diarrhea are also common signs of chronic pancreatitis.
They can lead to weight loss, too. In some cases, the pain associated with chronic pancreatitis fades over time, but the condition persists.
Chest pain associated with hiatal hernia: heartburn or pain in both the chest and abdomen. There are several types of hernias, but the one that can cause chest pain is called a hiatal hernia. It occurs when your stomach starts to bulge into the opening in the diaphragm hiatus through which the esophagus passes before meeting the stomach.
Symptoms may include:. Make an appointment soon if you have any of these symptoms. A hiatal hernia can often be treated with medications or surgery. Mental health-related chest pain may feel similar to a heart attack. You may also have heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Items 25—26 are related to mental health causes of chest pain. Chest pain associated with anxiety attack: stabbing or needlelike pain, usually felt in the middle of the chest.
Many of these are also heart attack symptoms, so people sometimes confuse the two conditions. With an anxiety attack , the pain is usually a stabbing or needle-like sensation right in the middle of your chest. A heart attack often feels more like pressure or tightness in the chest.
An anxiety attack is usually triggered by an upcoming event, such as a doctor appointment, speech, or other cause of nervousness. Chest pain associated with panic attack: stabbing pain, usually accompanied by shortness of breath and a racing heart.
Unlike an anxiety attack, a panic attack can occur without any obvious trigger. Most chest pain is not a sign of anything serious but you should get medical advice just in case. Get immediate medical help if you think you're having a heart attack. You could be having a heart attack. Call immediately as you need immediate treatment in hospital.
0コメント