Causes of chest pain
There are a number of different conditions that can cause chest pain. You should always seek medical advice to make sure you get a proper diagnosis.
Depending on your symptoms and circumstances, you may need further investigation.
Heart attack
A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is suddenly blocked.
Chest pain is more likely to be caused by a heart attack if it:
- lasts more than 15 minutes
- occurs while resting
Angina
Angina is a condition where the blood supply to the muscles of the heart is restricted.
Chest pain caused by angina is usually triggered by physical activity (exertion). It usually gets better with rest after a few minutes.
Pulmonary embolism
A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs. This can cause sharp, stabbing chest pain that may get worse when you breathe in. It can also be accompanied by:
- breathlessness
- a cough
- dizziness
- coughing up blood
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac surrounding your heart. This can cause a sudden, sharp and stabbing pain in your chest. It may also cause more of a dull ache. This pain usually gets worse when you lie down.
Lung conditions
Lung conditions that can cause chest pain include:
- pneumonia – inflammation of the lungs (usually caused by an infection)
- pleurisy – inflammation of the membrane surrounding the lungs (usually caused by an infection)
Conditions affecting the lungs can cause sharp chest pain that:
- gets worse when you breathe in and out
- is accompanied by other symptoms like coughing or breathlessness
If someone has severe pneumonia or pleurisy, they may also have symptoms like:
- rapid breathing
- confusion
Seek medical advice immediately if you or someone else has symptoms of:
- a heart attack
- angina
- a pulmonary embolism
- pericarditis
- pneumonia
- pleurisy
Other causes of chest pain
There are many other potential causes of chest pain, including:
- gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) - acid from the stomach comes up into the oesophagus (gullet) causing burning chest pain (heartburn) and an unpleasant taste in the mouth
- acute cholecystitis - inflammation of the gallbladder that can cause a sudden sharp pain in the upper right side of your tummy that spreads towards your right shoulder
- strained muscle - can cause chest pain that's painful and tender to touch
- costochondritis - inflammation in the cartilage that joins the ribs to the breastbone (sternum) that can cause pain, swelling and tenderness around the ribs
- panic attack or anxiety - can sometimes be accompanied by chest pain
Last updated:
01 November 2022
If you have sudden chest pain, always have it checked out by a doctor to make sure your heart is healthy. Chest pain isn’t always serious. It could be caused by a mostly harmless condition called costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone. If you press on your upper ribs and it feels tender, you may have it. One study found that 30% of those complaining of chest pain had costochondritis. While costochondritis is a common cause of chest pain, injury, physical strain, respiratory infection, rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, chest wall infections, tumors, or rare conditions like relapsing polychondritis may also cause chest pain. Costochondritis affects both children and adults, and it’s more common in women and Hispanics. There isn’t one known cause of costochondritis. It’s often triggered by strenuous exercise or strain from severe coughing. It can also be brought on, although rarely, by an infection from chest surgery or intravenous, or IV, drug use. Chest wall pain is a main symptom. Most people describe the pain as sharp, achy, and pressure-like. It usually gets worse if you breathe deeply or move your
upper body. When you press on your chest, it feels tender and painful. The pain usually lasts for a few weeks or months, but about a third of those with costochondritis will have it for about a year. Your doctor will do a physical exam, pressing on your chest to check for areas of tenderness. They will also take a look at your range of motion and listen to your breathing. If you’re over 35, at risk for coronary
artery disease, a blood clot, or you recently had a respiratory infection, your doctor may order additional tests like a chest X-ray and EKG to rule out more serious problems. Your doctor will focus on pain relief, and will probably recommend one or more of the following: Your doctor may also give you information on how to improve your posture and fix any muscle imbalances. If the pain won’t go away, your doctor may give you a shot of an anti-inflammatory medicine, or corticosteroid, in the area that hurts.Causes
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