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8 Causes Of Chest Pain That Aren't A Heart Attack
Many people often equate chest pain to a heart attack, but there are many causes of chest pain. For example, you may be able to tell that chest pain is muscular if it does not last longer than several minutes.
A chest injury or pulled muscle may be the cause if the pain feels tender or worsens when you press on the area. Other causes of chest pain include heartburn, infections, inflammation, and panic attacks.
Read on to learn about the different causes of chest pain and when to consult a healthcare provider.
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A heart attack occurs something severely reduces or completely cuts off the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle. Heart attacks may cause pain that lasts for hours and can be fatal if untreated.
Not all chest pain indicates a heart attack. For example, angina is a type of chest pain that may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest, typically when you physically exert yourself. Angina happens if there is a lack of blood supply and oxygen to your heart muscle.
You may feel that discomfort in other body parts, such as:
Angina may feel like heartburn, but it is short-lived and typically does not last longer than several minutes. Although chest pain due to angina differs from heart attack pain, it indicates an increased risk of a heart attack. Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), a common type of heart disease.
A heart attack is the most severe symptom of CAD, so seeing a healthcare provider if you have angina is essential.
Pulled Muscle in Chest and Cardiac PainSomeone can mistake a strained chest muscle for something more serious, like a heart attack, Christine Jellis, MD, Ph.D., a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, told Health.
"I had a patient who came in with chest pain, and he was worried he was having a heart attack," said Dr. Jellis. "After taking his history, I learned he had moved [to a new house] and hadn't lifted heavy furniture in years. But he did the right thing, coming in."
Healthcare providers do not expect people to be able to tell the difference between a heart attack and a pulled chest muscle, added Dr. Jellis.
You might be able to tell the difference between a heart attack and pulled chest muscle by pressing on your chest wall. Your pain is more likely to be an injury than a problem with your heart if it feels painful.
Occasional reflux is relatively common and probably nothing to worry about. You may have Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) if you have reflux more than once weekly.
Stomach acid is highly acidic. On the pH scale, which measures how acidic something is, stomach acid falls between battery acid and vinegar. As a result, GERD causes a burning sensation behind your breastbone.
Other GERD symptoms include:
GERD occurs when your stomach contents back up into your esophagus, or the tube that connects your throat and stomach.
Risk factors for GERD include:
GERD may cause asthma, Barrett's esophagus, and chest congestion if untreated. Barrett's esophagus causes tissue that looks like your intestinal lining to replace the tissue in your esophagus. Barrett's esophagus may raise your risk of a rare type of cancer.
Sometimes, a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection can trigger inflammation or swelling of different body parts. As a result, you may feel chest pain.
PericarditisPericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, or the tissue layers surrounding your heart. Sharp, stabbing pain on the left side or front part of the chest is one of the most common pericarditis symptoms. Pain may occur in the abdomen, back, neck, or shoulders.
Pain may be more intense while breathing deeply, coughing, lying down, or swallowing. In contrast, pain may improve with leaning forward while sitting up.
Other pericarditis symptoms include:
Research has found that viral infections commonly cause pericarditis in 80% to 85% of cases. Other less common causes include bacterial and fungal infections.
Other pericarditis risk factors include:
To treat pericarditis, a healthcare provider will likely prescribe a high-dose pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, and colchicine. Like ibuprofen, colchicine is a medicine that reduces pain, inflammation, and swelling. You may need antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals if an infection causes your pericarditis. Other treatments may include drainage of fluid from the pericardium and surgery.
Pleuritic Chest PainChest pain can have several pulmonary, or lung, causes. You may easily confuse the origin of pain since the heart and lungs are in the chest.
Pleuritic chest pain is inflammation of the pleura, or the lining of your lungs. You may feel sudden burning, sharp, or stabbing chest pain while breathing deeply.
An infection, like pneumonia, may cause pleuritic chest pain. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs and can range from mild to severe, depending on the cause. Typically, chest pain from pneumonia occurs when you breathe or cough.
Pulmonary embolism is one of the most severe causes of pleuritic chest pain. A pulmonary embolism occurs when something blocks a lung artery. That blockage can damage the lungs and cause low oxygen levels in your blood, damaging other organs. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening if untreated.
Other causes of pleuritic chest pain include:
Pleuritic chest pain does not signal a heart attack. Still, pleuritic chest pain can be severe, so seeing a healthcare provider is essential.
Treatment may include antibiotics if a bacterial infection causes pleuritic chest pain. In contrast, viral infections typically do not require medicine. You may need surgery to drain fluid from your lungs. Pain relievers can help quell any discomfort.
ShinglesThe virus that causes chickenpox lays dormant in your nerve cells long after the spots have faded. Shingles happens when the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that causes chickenpox reactivates, usually in people older than 50.
Some of the first shingles symptoms include pain, itching, or tingling. Typically, a rash appears days later, followed by blisters.
Before a rash appears, you might mistake early pain for a heart attack if shingles affects your chest area, Salman Arain, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Houston and the Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Texas Medical Center.
See a healthcare provider right away if you develop shingles. Antiviral medicine helps shorten the length of your symptoms if you take them within 72 hours of the rash appearing. A healthcare provider might prescribe pain relievers if it's too late to take antiviral medicine.
Not all inflammation that causes chest pain is the result of an infection. Sometimes, inflammation may occur due to a chest injury, heavy lifting, intense exercise, or an underlying health condition.
CostochondritisCostochondritis is inflammation of the tissue connecting your ribs to your breastbone. Typically, costochondritis causes you to feel pressure on your chest wall. You may feel tenderness when pressing on the area like a strained muscle.
Costochondritis is a common harmless cause of chest wall pain. Still, seeing a healthcare provider is a good idea if you suddenly develop costochondritis.
To diagnose costochondritis, a healthcare provider will likely start by taking your medical history and doing a physical exam.
"A physician is going to want to rule out cardiac and other serious issues first," said Dr. Jellis. "It'll most likely be a diagnosis by exclusion."
Some of the most common causes of costochondritis include:
OTC pain relievers and cold or hot compresses help treat costochondritis. Usually, the pain goes away within a few days or weeks.
PancreatitisAcute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, located just behind the stomach. Most commonly, pancreatitis causes intense abdominal pain that can radiate up to the chest.
In addition to chest pain, pancreatitis may cause symptoms like:
Often, pancreatitis occurs when gallstones—or hard, pebble-like pieces of hardened cholesterol—trigger inflammation in the pancreas. Women are more likely to have pancreatitis than men.
Other risk factors for pancreatitis include:
Seek immediate medical attention if you have pancreatitis symptoms. To diagnose pancreatitis, a healthcare provider may order blood work and other tests, like an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan.
You will likely have to stay in the hospital for antibiotics, IV fluids, and pain medicine for a few days.
A panic attack is intense anxiety due to your body's fight-or-flight response kicking in. A panic attack can feel like a heart attack.
In addition to chest pain, a panic attack may cause symptoms like:
Some people have a family history of panic attacks. Generally, people experience panic attacks suddenly without a known cause.
Visiting a healthcare provider can be helpful if you have had a panic attack. They can rule out any physical issues with your heart, which can put you at ease. A healthcare provider may refer you to a mental health specialist who can help you manage your symptoms.
A heart attack is not always the cause of chest pain. Some chest pain causes can be mild, like heartburn, while others can be severe, like pancreatitis.
Still, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you have chest pain. They can figure out if your chest pain is angina, heart attack pain, or something else.
Consult a healthcare provider if you have chest pain that lasts longer than three to five days or other symptoms like:
Do not hesitate to call 911 if you have chest pain, especially if you experience any of the following:
Other symptoms to watch out for include sudden, intense chest pain after periods of rest and leg swelling. Those symptoms may signal a pulmonary embolism.
Chest pain does not always signal a heart attack. Other causes of chest pain include heartburn, infections, inflammation, and panic attacks.
Angina is a type of chest pain that differs from a heart attack but signals increased risk. Consult a healthcare provider if you have heart attack risk factors, such as existing heart disease, high blood pressure or cholesterol, and overweight or obesity.
What Is An Abscess?
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An abscess is a pus-filled bump or pocket that forms in or on your body due to an infection. Bacterial infections are the most common cause of abscesses, though an abscess can also form due to a viral, fungal, or parasitic infection.
Abscesses can develop in any part of the body, including the skin, the teeth or gums, or inside the body near internal organs. When an abscess is on or under the skin, your skin may appear red and swollen, feel warm to the touch, and cause pain. Abscesses inside the body cannot be seen but may cause symptoms such as fever, discomfort, and loss of appetite.
An abscess is a collection of pus that is surrounded by swollen, inflamed tissue. When you have an infection, the immune system sends white blood cells to the affected area. As a result, pus—a thick, yellowish fluid made up of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and tissue—accumulates at the site of infection and causes the formation of an abscess.
Abscesses can form anywhere in the body. The most common types of abscesses include:
Abscess symptoms vary depending on the cause and location of the abscess. Here's what you can expect depending on the type of abscess you have.
Skin Abscess SymptomsA skin abscess is typically visible on your skin and may appear pimple-like, but is generally larger and deeper within the skin. Common skin abscess symptoms include:
As a skin abscess progresses, it may become larger and more sore. The skin over the abscess may feel tight and stretched due to pressure from the buildup of pus beneath the skin.
Tooth Abscess SymptomsA tooth abscess can be painful and causes aching in the bone near the infected tooth. Symptoms of a tooth abscess can include:
Internal abscess symptoms vary, depending on which organ you are experiencing an infection in. Most internal abscesses can cause symptoms such as:
Bacterial infections are the leading cause of abscesses. But the exact cause of your symptoms will depend on the type of infection you have and where your abscess develops.
Skin Abscess CausesA skin abscess occurs due to a bacterial infection—most commonly the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Normally these bacteria live on the skin without causing harm. If the bacteria enter the body through an open wound, such as an insect bite or cut, an infection can develop and lead to an abscess. Other potential causes of a skin abscess include:
Some risk factors can also increase your chances of developing a skin abscess, including:
Tooth Abscess CausesA tooth abscess occurs when bacteria enter the tooth pulp (or, live tissue inside the tooth) and cause the infection. Common causes of a tooth abscess include:
The immune system sends white blood cells to eliminate the bacteria, leading to the buildup of pus at the root tip of the affected tooth. While anyone can develop a tooth abscess, certain factors can increase your risk, including:
Internal Abscess CausesInternal abscesses can occur if bacteria or other infection enters the body. You might be at risk of developing an abscess if you have any of the following health conditions:
Other factors that can raise your chances of an abscess include:
The type of abscess you have will determine how you receive a diagnosis. While a primary care physician or dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in the skin) can diagnose skin and internal abscesses, a dentist will likely diagnose a tooth abscess.
Your healthcare provider will first ask about your symptoms and medical history, including whether you've had recent injuries, infections, or surgeries. They will also perform a physical examination to check for signs of an abscess before giving you an official diagnosis.
Here's what to expect during the diagnostic process for each type of abscess:
Type of Abscess Diagnostic Exams Skin abscess Physical exam to check for symptoms and touching the abscess to look for a mass or "head" of the abscess Tooth abscess Tooth exam to look for signs of infection and imaging tests such as X-rays or facial computed tomography (CT) scan Internal abscess Imaging tests such as a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and blood tests to check for infection or inflammation in your bloodstreamIn order to make the abscess go away, you have to drain the pus from the abscess. Keep in mind: most abscesses do not go away on their own and require medical treatment to drain and clear the infection. Without treatment, an abscess can persist, worsen, or potentially spread to other areas of the body. Your exact treatment plan will depend on the type of abscess you have.
Skin Abscess TreatmentIn a few cases, you may be able to drain a very small abscess by applying a warm compress to the area a few times daily. To do this:
If you have a bigger abscess, it's best to see a healthcare provider. Depending on their recommendation, your provider may suggest:
Treatment for a tooth abscess tends to vary depending on the severity of the infection. Treatment options may include:
Internal abscesses require medical treatment to drain the pus and eliminate the infection. Depending on the location of the abscess, healthcare providers use one of the following methods to drain the abscess:
If you have signs and symptoms of an abscess, see a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following situations:
An abscess is a collection of pus, usually caused by a bacterial infection. Abscesses can develop anywhere in the body, including the skin, mouth, and internal organs. Signs and symptoms of an abscess vary, depending on the body part affected. A skin abscess may appear like a pimple and cause pain and tenderness. A dental abscess may feel like a toothache. Internal abscesses can cause fever, malaise, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Most abscesses require medical attention and treatment, as they typically do not resolve on their own. Treatment options may include incision and drainage, antibiotics, or surgical intervention in some cases.
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American Association of Endodontists. Abscessed tooth.
Doctor Shares Five Causes Of Lung Cancer Every Non-smoker Should Know
'85% of the population doesn't smoke, so we need to change the message' (Picture: Rex)Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, but the misconception that it's 'just a smoker's disease' is harmful.
A Place In the Sun's Jonnie Irwin's heartbreaking diagnosis has driven lung cancer to the forefront of our minds.
He's been told his disease, which began in his lungs and has spread to his brain, will ultimately make him one of the roughly 34,800 people in the UK who die with lung cancer every year, according to Cancer Research UK.
That's 95 people in this country dying of the disease every single day.
Even though lung cancer is the third most common in the UK – behind breast and prostate – the charity says that it's the top most common cause of cancer death.
And of the tens of thousands of people who are lost each year, according to Dr Deborah Lee, of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, 6,000 of them have never smoked.
She tells Metro.Co.Uk: '14% of lung cancer cases in the UK occur in people who've never smoked.
'When we say "never smoked", we mean people who've smoked less than 100 cigarettes in their lives.'
Dr Deborah says the messaging around lung cancer needs to change to make sure that non-smokers know they're not immune to the disease.
After all, if you don't think you're at risk, why would you watch out for symptoms?
'Historically,' she explains, 'the clear public health message was that smoking caused lung cancer. This led those who didn't smoke to think they're not at risk.
'But now, 85% of the population doesn't smoke, so we need to change the message and alert everyone that lung cancer in non-smokers is common, and we all need to be vigilant about symptoms.'
This is utterly vital, given the fact that an early diagnosis can save your life.
72% of lung cancer cases in the UK are caused by smoking – not 100% (Picture: Getty Images)Dr Deborah also says that, while non-smokers tend to have non-small cell adenocarcinoma and smokers tend to get small cell and squamous cell tumours, the different behaviours of these cancers doesn't mean they respond any differently to treatment.
Nor does it mean that non-smokers have any better chances of survival than their smoking counterparts.
So what are the top non-smoking related causes of lung cancer?
Second-hand smokeYes, just being around smokers can be harmful too.
Dr Deborah says: '15-35% of cases are due to breathing in second-hand smoke.
'Being a non-smoking woman married to a male smoker increases her risk of lung cancer by 27%.'
Heavy metalsAsbestos, arsenic, and chromium are known to cause lung cancer.
'These are environmental pollutants,' explains Dr Deborah, 'which can be found in the air from industrial pollution, landfill sites, and in some parts of the world, in the water.'
Radon gasIt's thought that radon gas – most of which can be found in Southwest England and Wales – is to blame for 2% of lung cancer cases.
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'It's found in soil, rock, and underground water,' says Dr Deborah.
'Radon is thought to cause around 1,000 cases of lung cancer in the UK every year. Your house can also be tested for radon.'
Common symptoms of lung cancer that non-smokers should look out forDr Deborah says: 'Don't be afraid to see your GP if you have the following symptoms. Despite the NHS pressures, doctors do want to see you. The sooner you get help the better – don't delay.
'Non-smokers should look out for the following symptoms:
– A cough that won't go away
– Coughing up blood
– Feeling persistently out of breath
– Pain when breathing or coughing
– Tiredness
– Unexplained weight loss (NHS)
'Other signs include
– Recurrent respiratory infections
– Chest pain
– Back, neck or shoulder pain
– Loss of appetite
– Feeling generally unwell'
GeneticsFamily history also has a part to play in your likelihood of getting lung cancer.
'Non-smokers with a family history of lung cancer are at an increased risk,' points out Dr Deborah.
Lung diseaseAnd finally, it's thought that lung diseases could also be a factor, but this one's been harder for the professionals to gauge.
'Lung diseases, including the effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, may increase the risk of lung cancer,' says Dr Deborah, 'but this is hard to quantify since so often patients are also smokers.'
What can non-smokers do to minimise their risk of getting lung cancer?It should come as no surprise that the first thing Dr Deborah says is: 'Stay away from tobacco.
'Do not breathe in second-hand smoke.'
She also recommends reducing your exposure to pollution in the air as much as you can.
'Drive your car less,' she says, 'don't have fires in the house or at home, use less energy, and plant and look after trees.
'Stay inside on hot, still days when pollution levels are high, and keep doors and windows closed. Unfortunately wearing masks has not been shown to help.'
You can also get a radon survey done to check whether your house is in a hotspot and eat a balanced diet full of antioxidants.
'Fresh fruit and vegetables contain high levels of antioxidants,' she says, 'especially those with bright colours – think beetroot, carrots, spinach, kale, strawberries, and blueberries.'
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.Co.Uk.
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