These spasms can also trap food in the esophagus and prevent it from passing into the stomach. Gallbladder disease.
A sudden pain that often occurs 30 minutes after you have eaten may be a sign of gallstones. Gallbladder pain is usually felt just below the breastbone and may extend to the right arm or between the shoulder blades. It occurs as the gallbladder contracts in an effort to pump bile around the gallstones that are blocking its passage to the liver. Tissues in the chest cavity can become inflamed due to injury, infection, or autoimmune conditions, in which the body's immune cells attack its own tissues.
Common inflammatory causes of chest pain include the following:. This condition, an inflammation in the chest wall between the ribs and the breastbone, can trigger a stabbing, aching pain that's often mistaken for a heart attack. Costochondritis is commonly caused by trauma or overuse injuries, often during contact sports, or it may accompany arthritis.
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, a protective, double-layered sac surrounding the heart. It has many different possible causes, including a virus or other infection, certain illnesses, an injury to the chest, radiation therapy for cancer, or a reaction to medications. The classic symptom of pericarditis is a sharp, stabbing pain in the center or left side of the chest that worsens when you take a deep breath or lie down.
The pain results from the irritated layers of the sac rubbing together. Pneumonia can cause shortness of breath and sharp pains that intensify with a deep breath. Unlike angina, it is likely to be accompanied by other symptoms, like fever, chills, or coughing. Pulmonary embolism— a blood clot that has traveled into the vessels supplying the lungs—can cause chest pain. The pain is often accompanied by a fast or irregular heartbeat, sudden difficulty breathing, or feeling lightheaded or faint.
Pulmonary embolisms can be life-threatening, so the symptoms warrant a call to Both anxiety and panic attack can cause symptoms very similar to angina. These attacks—which can occur out of the blue or in response to a stressful event—include chest pain along with shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness. When the costochondral joint becomes inflamed, it can result in sharp chest pain and tenderness, which may develop gradually or start suddenly.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between the chest pain associated with costochondritis and pain caused by more serious conditions, such as a heart attack. But a heart attack usually causes more widespread pain and additional symptoms , such as breathlessness , feeling sick and sweating. If you or someone you're with experiences sudden chest pain and you think there's a possibility it could be a heart attack, dial immediately and ask for an ambulance.
If you have had chest pain for a while, do not ignore it. Make an appointment to see a GP so they can investigate the cause. Inflammation is the body's natural response to infection, irritation or injury. It's not known exactly why the costochondral joint becomes inflamed, but in some cases it's been linked to:.
If you have symptoms of costochondritis, a GP will probably examine and touch the upper chest area around your costochondral joint. They may ask you when and where your pain occurs and look at your recent medical history. Before a diagnosis can be confirmed, some tests may need to be carried out to rule out other possible causes of your chest pain.
If no other condition is suspected or found, a diagnosis of costrochondritis may be made. Costochondritis can be aggravated by any activity that places stress on your chest area, such as strenuous exercise or even simple movements like reaching up to a high cupboard. Any activity that makes the pain in your chest area worse should be avoided until the inflammation in your ribs and cartilage has improved. You may also find it soothing to regularly apply heat to the painful area, such as using a cloth or flannel that's been warmed with hot water.
Painkillers, such as paracetamol , can be used to ease mild to moderate pain. Taking a type of medication called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID , such as ibuprofen and naproxen , 2 or 3 times a day can also help control the pain and swelling. Aspirin is also a suitable alternative, but should not be given to children under 16 years old. In some cases, you may need surgery to treat a heart or gastrointestinal condition.
Once your doctor diagnoses the cause, they can develop a treatment plan that can help relieve the symptoms and causes of your sternum pain. Did you know you could have a heart attack without feeling any chest pain? Heart attacks can produce a number of different signs and sensations…. A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm and into your chest cavity.
Common symptoms include…. Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage in the rib cage. Learn about costochondritis symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
What's the difference between a major, minor, and silent heart attack? Learn when to see a doctor and how to treat or prevent heart attacks. Peptic ulcers are painful sores in the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine. A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. Learn about hiatal hernia, treatment, diagnosis, pregnancy….
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Learn more. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Costochondritis Other musculoskeletal conditions Gastrointestinal conditions Respiratory conditions Other conditions Is it a heart attack? See your doctor Takeaway Is this cause for concern? Costochondritis is the most common cause. What other musculoskeletal conditions cause sternum pain? Which gastrointestinal conditions cause sternum pain? Which respiratory conditions cause sternum pain? Can other conditions cause sternum pain?
Is it a heart attack? When to see your doctor. The bottom line. Read this next.
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