Chest pains are usually associated with heart problems. However, there are many other causes that you should be aware of.
Chest pain that isn’t heart-related is called noncardiac chest pain. Noncardiac chest pain is often described as feeling a painful squeezing or tightness in your chest, or a pressure of heaviness behind your sternum. The pain may be felt on the right or left side or in the middle of your chest.
Many symptoms may occur with noncardiac chest pain including:
- A sour taste or a sensation of food entering the mouth
- Trouble swallowing
- Pain that gets better or worse when you change body position
- Pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
- Tenderness when you push on your chest
- Pain that continues for many hours
You may not be able to tell the difference between a heart attack and noncardiac chest pain, for that reason it is important to take any chest pain seriously. If it is sudden or new and lasts longer than five minutes, go to the emergency room. If it goes away after a few minutes, you should see your healthcare provider as soon as possible to determine the cause.
Some causes of noncardiac chest pain include:
- Digestive issues
- Heartburn
- Swallowing disorders
- Gallbladder or pancreatic problems
- Muscle and bone injuries
- Costochondritis
- Sore muscles
- Injured ribs
- Lung-related issues
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- Pulmonary Embolism
- Pleurisy
- Collapsed lung
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Panic attacks
- Shingles
Some risk factors associated with noncardiac chest pain can include:
- High Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Anxiety
Some immediate tests used to help diagnose the cause of chest pain include:
- ECG or EKG
- Blood tests
- Chest X-ray
- CT scan
Follow-up tests may need to be done depending on the results of the first tests. They include:
- Echocardiogram
- CT scan
- Stress tests
- Coronary catheterization
Treatment for chest pain varies depending on the cause. Some treatments can include:
Medications if the cause isn’t heart-related such as:
- Blood thinners
- Acid-reducing medicines
- Antidepressants
Surgical procedure if the cause isn’t heart-related such as:
- Lung re-inflation
If you are experiencing any chest pain symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call (718) 206-7001. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.