Chest pain
Alternative names:
burning in the chest; pain in the chest
Definition:
Pain, heaviness, pressure or discomfort in the chest. See also documents on stable angina, unstable angina, and variant angina.
Considerations:
When faced with unexpected chest pain, it is normal for people to fear the worst. Chest pain is a symptom that means "heart attack" to many people. Although chest pain can have many causes not related to the heart, any chest discomfort that is new or different should be evaluated by a health care provider.I t is very important to note the other factors associated with chest pain (exact location, type of pain, and so on).
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death and disability in the U.S. However, chest pain caused by a heart condition is very rare in previously healthy men under 30 years of age or women under 40, and is uncommon for either sex before 50 years.
A shooting pain lasting a few seconds is common in a healthy person, and is nothing to worry about. The sensation of a "catch" at the end of a deep breath is also not clinically important and does not need attention.
Chest pain that is caused by a heart problem may be mild or intense. Feelings of pressure or squeezing on the chest are often more prominent than actual pain. The pain is usually in the center of the chest, under the breastbone. It may also radiate to the back, jaw or shoulder (usually the left). It may be accompanied by nausea, sweating, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Stable angina (chest pain caused by temporary inadequacy of blood flow to the heart muscle) usually lasts 1 to 15 minutes and is provoked by exercise or stress and relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. Unstable angina is angina that occurs at rest, or that is an increase in the frequency, severity, or duration of previously stable angina. Unstable angina often leads to an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). The chest discomfort of heart attack often is prolonged (longer than 15 or 20 minutes) and is unrelieved by rest or nitroglycerin.
Chest-wall pain (pain originating in the tissues of the chest wall rather than the heart) can often be demonstrated by pressing a finger on the chest at the spot of discomfort, which reproduces or aggravates the pain. Heart pain and chest-wall pain are occasionally present at the same time. Pleurisy (inflammation of the linings of the lungs) gets worse with a deep breath or cough while chest pain related to a heart problem usually does not.
Hyperventilation is a frequent cause of chest pain, especially in young people.
Ulcer pain burns with an empty stomach and gets better with food. Gallbladder pain often becomes more intense after a meal.
Common causes:
Note: There are other causes of chest pain. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for chest pain, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.
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