Chest pain: What causes it can be and when you should definitely see a doctor
Created: 03/10/2022, 16:48
Chest pain can also result from tight muscles.
© "AndreyPopov"/Imago
Chest pains set alarm bells ringing.
A deep-seated pain can indicate life-threatening diseases.
But there are also harmless triggers.
Those affected describe the chest pain of a heart attack as persistent, oppressive or oppressive.
If the esophagus is the cause, the chest pain is usually burning.
With a disease of the lungs, the pain often increases when breathing in or out.
Chest pain is worrying.
They can have different reasons, some are life-threatening.
The heart, lungs or esophagus are usually affected.
Chest pain - These are signs of a heart attack
Pain deep in the chest is often a sign of heart disease.
It usually hurts behind the breastbone or on the left side of the chest.
From there, the
pain can also radiate to other parts
of the body , for example the upper abdomen, back, neck, left shoulder or left arm.
In the case of a heart attack*, the pain is persistent, oppressive or oppressive
.
Some sufferers speak of devastating pain.
Other symptoms include paleness, nausea, sweating and shortness of breath.
Now it's time to call the emergency doctor immediately!
However, these typical symptoms do not always announce a heart attack.
Call 911 sooner rather than later.
Because even if there is no heart attack, pain in the chest area can indicate other
serious diseases
.
Also read:
Reduce the risk of heart attack by 90%: Keeping an eye on a blood lipid value can extend your lifespan immensely
Heart pain – a heart attack is not always the cause
The symptoms of coronary artery disease, in which the coronary arteries harden, are very similar to those of a heart attack.
In most cases, however, the pain associated with this disease only lasts for a short time.
also read
Nocturnal heart palpitations - these causes can be behind it
When the heart is beating wildly at night, those affected panic.
But the heart palpitations at night are often harmless.
The following triggers are possible.
Nocturnal heart palpitations - these causes can be behind it
Barking children's cough: Pseudocroup can be scary
At night, the child suddenly coughs heavily and has shortness of breath.
This can cause panic in both parents and child.
Krupp syndrome is often behind the moments of shock.
What helps in such a situation?
Barking children's cough: Pseudocroup can be scary
Chest pain can also be a sign of
other diseases
:
Cardiac arrhythmia (usually a feeling of tightness or pain)
inflammation of the pericardium (usually a stabbing pain)
valvular disease
myocarditis
Severe high blood pressure
Overactive thyroid (often associated with shortness of breath)
If the vessel wall of the aorta is torn, this can lead to severe pain between the shoulder blades.
These can be felt in the front or back of the chest.
They are also often experienced as devastating
.
Please call an ambulance immediately!
Also interesting:
Those who are born in this month have a higher risk of heart attack
Chest pain and problems with the esophagus
Esophageal diseases can also cause chest pain.
An example is reflux disease.
The stomach does not close properly and stomach acid rises up into the esophagus.
The result: frequent or severe heartburn.
Inflammation of the esophagus, for example as a result of reflux disease, also causes chest pain, as does a disturbance in the mobility of the esophagus.
Those affected may have problems swallowing, have to burp and food can flow back into the throat.
Other possible causes are a tear in the
esophagus
, which occurs, for example, after violent vomiting.
Esophageal cancer is also possible.
If the esophagus is the cause, the
pain is usually centrally located behind the breastbone and in the lower chest or upper abdomen.
Sufferers often describe the pain as burning and rising from the stomach towards the neck.
Eating or drinking can trigger or increase the pain.
Chest pain – if the lungs, lining of the lungs or pleura are affected
If the chest pain is accompanied by shortness of breath or coughing, this can be an indication that the lungs, the pleura or the pleura are involved.
Caution is advised, especially if you cough up blood
.
In addition, the pain often increases when breathing in or out.
Possible triggers are:
bronchitis
lung infection
pulmonary embolism (blockage of blood vessels in the lungs)
lung cancer
If you suspect a pulmonary embolism, call the emergency doctor immediately!
If air gets into the space between the lungs and the lining of the lungs, the lungs can collapse.
Signs include sharp chest pains and shortness of breath
.
In addition, the chest rises and falls asymmetrically or only on one side when breathing.
Also read:
How to prevent life-threatening diseases.
If the chest pain is superficial: Muscle tension can also be a trigger
If the pain is superficial to the chest, an injury or disease of the chest itself, such as a fractured rib, is likely.
If the pain increases when touched or pressure is applied, this is another indication.
Nerve irritation or muscle tension can also be causes
.
The pain usually changes in intensity depending on posture and movement.
In women, the mammary glands can also be affected.
This is due to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle.
Sensitivity to pressure or pulling pains are typical
.
However, inflammation, abscesses or benign and malignant tumors in the mammary gland can also be the cause.
Important:
Chest pain can also be psychologically related
, for example in the case of panic attacks or depression, patients report a feeling of pressure in the chest.
With professional medical help, the cause of the chest pain can be found and the right therapy can be initiated.
(Franziska Schlögl) *Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
Sources: www.apotheken-umschau.de, www.deutsche-familienversicherung.de
