If you start to experience chest pain, your first thought may be that you’re having a heart attack. However, even though chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack, there are many causes of chest pain – and some aren’t even related to your heart.
It’s also important to know that many conditions that cause chest pain are nothing to worry about. However, some can be life threatening.
Call 911 if the chest pain is new, starts suddenly or doesn’t go away after you rest or take medication. You should also get immediate medical attention if you have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, sudden fatigue, sweating, nausea or a fast heart rate.
Below, we talk about what chest pain feels like, possible causes of chest pain, other symptoms you may experience and when to get medical help. Choose one of the following links to jump to that section:
What chest pain feels like can be related to its cause
Words commonly used to describe chest pain include pressure, squeezing, tearing, stabbing, discomfort and fullness. How chest pain feels can sometimes be related to its cause. But people experience it in different ways, so it’s always important to be on the lookout for the other symptoms listed in this section. Remember, it’s okay to call 911 if you’re not sure of the exact cause of your chest pain.
Location of chest pain
The location of chest pain can also be related to what’s causing it. Serious causes of chest pain tend to be heart and lung conditions that cause chest pain on the left or right side, but not in the middle.
| Chest pain causes by location | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cause | Left side of chest | Middle of chest | Right side of chest |
| Heart | ✓ | ||
| Lungs | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Digestive | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Muscles and bones | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
What the chest pain feels like
Chest pain that’s caused by serious heart and lung problems may feel different from chest pain from other causes – it’s often stronger and described using words such as tightness, pressure, tearing or stabbing.
But people don’t always experience chest pain in the same way. For example, some people may only have minor discomfort when experiencing a heart attack. So it’s important to pay attention to other symptoms. If you have symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, sweating, nausea or a fast heart rate, you should call 911.
How long chest pain lasts
Chest pain that is fleeting and lasts up to a few seconds is rarely caused by a serious condition. If chest pain is serious, it’s likely to get worse with physical activity and go away after a couple of minutes of rest. If you have sudden chest pain, stop and rest. If it doesn’t go away after resting for five minutes, call 911. Also call 911 if it comes back.
Heart-related reasons for chest pain or angina
Many different types of heart disease can cause chest pain. Some heart conditions can be life threatening and need immediate medical attention. In some cases, you’ll also have other symptoms like breathing problems and a fast heart rate, but everyone is different. Never hesitate to call 911 if you’re not sure if your chest pain is serious.
Other symptoms caused by heart problems
If chest pain is caused by a heart condition, it can come with other symptoms, such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Sweating
- Dizziness or fainting
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Pain that radiates to the jaw, back or arms
Heart conditions that cause chest pain
Some heart conditions that can cause chest pain include:
- Heart attack – Signs of a heart attack include chest pain that feels like squeezing or tightness in the chest. However, some people may only have minor chest discomfort. Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, sweating, fainting, nausea, vomiting, sudden fatigue, and palpitations. Sometimes the discomfort can also involve your jaw, neck, back and arms.
- Aortic dissection – This is caused by a tear in the lining of the aorta, the large artery in your chest that is attached to your heart. The pain is often described as a tearing or ripping sensation and can radiate to the back.
- Plaque buildup in arteries (coronary artery disease) – This type of heart disease happens when a buildup of cholesterol or other substances in your arteries causes them to narrow. This makes it more difficult for blood to flow to the heart muscle and can cause chest pain that feels like pressure or tightness. It is usually brought on by physical activity and goes away with rest. The pain can radiate to your arms, neck, jaw or back.
- Irregular heartbeats (heart arrhythmias) – Heart arrhythmias can sometimes cause symptoms like chest discomfort, dizziness and palpitations.
- Inflammation around the heart (pericarditis) – Inflammation of the sac around the heart can cause a sharp chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or lie down.
- Thick heart muscles (left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) – During activity, thick heart muscles may need more blood flow than what is supplied by the heart arteries. If this happens, chest pain can occur.
- Narrowing of a heart valve (aortic stenosis) – A narrowed heart valve affects blood flow to the heart and can cause chest pain, shortness of breath and fainting. It’s more likely to happen during activity or exercise.
Lung-related reasons for chest pain
Different lung conditions, including some that are very serious, can cause chest pain. Depending on which lung is affected, you may feel chest pain on the right or left side.
If chest pain is caused by a serious lung condition, you may have shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate, skin that starts to turn blue or experience fainting. If you have any of these symptoms you should get emergency medical care. If you’re sure that the chest pain is caused by a lung condition that’s not serious, it’s still best to see your primary care doctor as soon as possible.
Other symptoms caused by lung problems
Lung conditions often cause other symptoms, including:
- Shortness of breath, wheezing or other breathing problems
- Rapid heart rate or heart palpitations
- A cough that won’t go away
- Fainting
- Fever
Lung conditions that cause chest pain
Some lung conditions that can cause chest pain include:
- A blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism) – A blood clot in the lung can cause sudden, sharp chest pain, often worsened by deep breaths or coughing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate and fainting.
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax) – A collapsed lung is most common after a sudden injury and can cause tightness in the chest or an intense, stabbing chest pain, often on one side. It can become very difficult to breathe and your skin may start to turn blue.
- High blood pressure that affects the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) – Having high blood pressure increases the pressure in your arteries, including the ones around your lungs. The main symptom of pulmonary hypertension is shortness of breath, but it can also cause pressure or discomfort, or chest pain on the left side.
- Long-term lung inflammation (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD) – Chest discomfort from COPD is usually related to breathing difficulties. It may feel like a heaviness or tightness in the chest, especially during physical activity.
- Pneumonia – Chest pain from pneumonia can be sharp or dull. Other pneumonia symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
- Inflammation around the lungs (pleurisy) – Inflammation of the lining around the lungs (pleura) can cause chest pain, usually on one side of the chest. It’s typically sharp, and breathing makes it feel worse.
- Asthma – Asthma-related chest pain is caused by narrowed airways. It is often described as tightness or a squeezing sensation. Other symptoms include wheezing and shortness of breath.
Digestive reasons for chest pain
Digestive problems are an extremely common cause of chest pain. Chest pain related to digestive problems can be felt anywhere on the chest but is often in the middle. It may also start in your abdomen (belly) and spread into the chest area. Changing your body’s position can make it feel better or worse. In most cases, the pain will not get better with rest and can last for many hours.
Digestive problems generally aren’t emergency situations, but it’s still important to get treatment for digestive disorders since they can get worse over time. And, of course, if you’re not sure of the cause of your chest pain, the safest choice is always to call 911.
Other symptoms of digestive problems
If chest pain is caused by digestive problems, you may also have symptoms such as:
- A burning sensation, discomfort or pain in your throat, stomach or upper chest
- A sour taste in your mouth
- Trouble swallowing
- Pain that feels better or worse depending on your body’s position – for example, when you lay down or bend over
- Pain that worsens when you cough or take deep breaths
- Tenderness when you push on your chest
Digestive conditions that cause chest pain
Some digestive conditions that can cause chest pain include:
- Chronic acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) – Acid reflux may be the single most common cause of chest pain. When stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus (food tube), it can cause discomfort and a burning sensation in the chest and upper abdomen that is commonly referred to as heartburn.
- Muscle spasms in your esophagus – Spasms in the esophagus can cause chest pain that feels sharp and leaves the surrounding area feeling tender.
- Swallowing disorders – If you have difficulty swallowing food, it can cause chest pain and other symptoms, including a sore throat, hoarseness and shortness of breath.
- Gallbladder problems – Gallstones (hardened digestive fluid) and inflammation in the gallbladder can cause a steady, gnawing pain in the upper right area of the abdomen, which can sometimes extend to the back.
- Stomach bulging into esophagus (hiatal hernia) – This may not cause any symptoms, or it can cause chest discomfort, especially after meals or when lying down.
Muscle, bone and skin reasons for chest pain
Chest pain that’s caused by muscles, bone or skin can occur anywhere on your chest, and often feels worse when you breathe deeply, cough or move your chest in any way. These conditions often go away on their own without treatment. But, again, don’t hesitate to call 911 if you’re not sure what’s causing the chest pain.
Other symptoms of muscle, bone or skin conditions
If chest pain is related to your muscles, bones or skin, you may not have other symptoms. You may also have symptoms that seem unrelated to chest pain such as a rash, bruising or muscle spasms.
Muscle, bone and skin conditions that cause chest pain
Some muscle, bone and skin conditions that may cause chest pain include:
- Sprained chest muscle – A sprained chest muscle (often due to strain or overuse) can cause chest pain in a specific area. You may feel pressure, sharp pain or discomfort. This pain tends to worsen with movement or deep breaths.
- Swollen chest cartilage (costochondritis) – Inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone can cause sharp, localized chest pain, often on the left side. The pain usually gets worse when you breathe, cough or move your chest.
- Shingles – Shingles is a painful skin rash that can develop along your nerve pathways. The chest area is a common location for the rash, and before it develops you may feel burning, tingling or a stabbing pain. If you develop shingles, the quickest way to get treatment is to start an online Virtuwell appointment.
- Injured ribs – Rib injuries, such as broken or bruised ribs, can lead to chest pain or discomfort. Some rib injuries can heal on their own, but it’s important to get emergency care if you have rib pain following a traumatic accident, especially if the pain is severe or affecting your ability to breathe.
Chest pain can also be a sign of a panic attack
A panic attack is an episode of intense fear or anxiety that happens when there’s no real external danger. Panic attacks can start suddenly and without warning, and besides being very scary, they can cause chest pain and other physical symptoms. Panic attacks aren’t dangerous, but it can be hard to tell the difference between a panic attack and a heart attack. If you’re not sure if chest pain is caused by a panic attack or something else, get emergency medical attention.
Even if your chest pain is caused by a panic attack, you’ll still want to see a primary care doctor or a therapist as soon as possible. Panic attacks can be hard to manage on your own, and treatment can help make sure they don’t get worse.
Other symptoms of a panic attack
- Chills and shaking
- Dizziness
- Fear of loss of control or death
- Feelings of impending doom
- Flashing visions
- Headache
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea and abdominal cramps
- Numbness
- Shortness of breath and hyperventilation
- Sweating
- Thoughts of suicide
It’s always best to see your doctor about chest pain
Chest pain affects everyone differently and it’s always best to see your primary care doctor as soon as possible if you’re experiencing any pain in your chest. While many conditions that cause chest pain are nothing to worry about, some can be life threatening.
A primary care doctor can often diagnose the cause of your chest pain and help you get the care you need. If appropriate, they can refer you to a specialist who can help with heart care, lung care, or digestive care and order tests that can be done prior to that appointment.
