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Chest pain can be alarming, but it is not always a heart attack. In fact, chest pain often comes from a pulled muscle. A pulled chest muscle can occur due to overstretching, pressure, or strain on the muscles. This can be caused by heavy lifting, repetitive motions, contact sports, and even excessive coughing. The pain experienced from a pulled chest muscle can be sharp or dull and may be worsened by deep breathing or pressure. Other symptoms of a pulled chest muscle include swelling, bruising, and muscle spasms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Overstretching, pressure or strain on the muscles |
| Severity | Mild, moderate or severe |
| Treatment | Rest, ice, compression, elevation, pain relievers, physical therapy, surgery |
| Symptoms | Pain, soreness, tenderness, bruising, swelling, muscle twitching or spasms, difficulty moving the arm |
| Similar conditions | Pleuritis, heart attack, angina, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism |
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What You'll Learn
Pulled chest muscle vs heart attack
A pulled chest muscle, or muscle strain, is a tear in the muscle from overstretching or pressure. It is often caused by sports, weightlifting, or manual labor, but can also be caused by gradual strain from overuse without rest, known as a repetitive strain injury. The pain from a pulled chest muscle may be confused with a heart attack, especially as it can increase with movement, deep breathing, or coughing. However, a pulled muscle is usually a minor injury that can heal on its own within a few weeks with proper care.
Symptoms of a pulled chest muscle include pain or tenderness along the chest, tenderness when touching the injured muscle, pain with arm movements, and difficulty moving the arm. There may also be bruising, swelling, or muscle twitching or spasms. The pain may feel similar to a heart attack, but it is more likely due to a pulled muscle if it hurts when you press on it.
The symptoms of a pulled chest muscle can be treated with RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and pain relievers. For chronic strains that don't improve with rest, a provider may recommend physical therapy or changing your exercise routine to build strength in the surrounding areas.
A heart attack, on the other hand, is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the heart is reduced or blocked. The pain of a heart attack differs from that of a pulled chest muscle, as it often feels like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the center of the chest, and may radiate outward to one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Heart attack pain may be accompanied by sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath and typically lasts for hours. If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency number.
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Pulled chest muscle causes
A pulled chest muscle, also known as a muscle strain, occurs when you tear or stretch a muscle in your chest. This can be caused by overstretching, pressure, or strain on the muscles.
Pulled chest muscles commonly occur in contact sports and other athletics that require forceful or repetitive motion, such as tennis, golf, gymnastics, and rowing. Weightlifting can also cause a chest strain, especially when the arm is pulled back and overhead quickly or for prolonged periods.
Other common causes of pulled chest muscles include heavy lifting, especially if the muscles are weak or not warmed up first, and repetitive motions or coughing.
The pain from a pulled chest muscle can be sharp or dull and may be worsened by deep breathing, coughing, or pressure on the chest. It may also be accompanied by swelling, bruising, and muscle spasms.
If you are experiencing chest pain, it is important to determine the cause. If you are unsure, try applying pressure to your pectoral muscles. If you feel increased pain, it is more likely to be a muscle injury than a heart attack. However, if the chest pain is accompanied by dizziness, nausea, sweating, or a racing pulse, it could be a heart attack, which is a medical emergency.
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Pulled chest muscle symptoms
A pulled chest muscle can cause extreme chest discomfort and pain, making it difficult to perform and enjoy your daily activities. It can be caused by overstretching, pressure, or strain on the muscles. This can be due to forceful or repetitive motions, such as in tennis, golf, gymnastics, rowing, or weightlifting.
- Pain that increases with movement of the chest or upper spine, deep breathing, coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
- Tenderness when touching the injured muscle.
- Pain with arm movements and difficulty moving the arm.
- Bruising, swelling, or muscle twitching or spasms.
- Mild discomfort or severe symptoms.
The pain caused by a pulled chest muscle may be confused with a heart attack or heart disease, so it is important to seek medical attention to rule out more serious conditions.
The treatment for a pulled chest muscle depends on its severity or grade. Common treatments include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Plenty of rest and low-impact exercise can help the body heal. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can also help with inflammation and pain.
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Pulled chest muscle treatment
A pulled chest muscle is a tear in the muscle from overstretching it. It can be caused by sports, weightlifting, manual labor, or repetitive motion. It is important to distinguish the symptoms of a pulled chest muscle from those of a heart attack. While a pulled muscle may cause mild discomfort, it can also result in severe symptoms.
If you suspect that you have a pulled chest muscle, you should stop any strenuous activity and rest. Applying ice packs or heat to the injured area can help reduce pain and inflammation. Wrapping an elastic bandage around your chest can help reduce swelling, but be careful not to make it too tight, as this can affect blood circulation. Keeping your chest elevated, especially at night, is also recommended. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and inflammation.
For mild cases, treatment at home is usually sufficient, and the injury typically resolves within a few weeks. However, if the pain persists or is long-lasting, it is important to seek medical attention. Physical therapy can be an effective treatment option, especially for lasting symptoms associated with a chest muscle strain. In rare cases, surgery may be required for complete muscle tears.
To prevent a pulled chest muscle, it is important to keep the chest muscles stretched and strong. This can be achieved through appropriate exercises and avoiding overexertion or repetitive motions that strain the chest muscles.
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Pulled chest muscle recovery
A pulled chest muscle can be a common cause of chest pain and can result in mild discomfort or severe symptoms. It is usually caused by overstretching, pressure, or strain on the muscles. The pain experienced from a pulled chest muscle can be either sharp or dull and may be worsened by breathing, coughing, or movement. Other symptoms include swelling, bruising, and muscle spasms.
Pulled chest muscles are usually minor injuries and often heal on their own within a few days to weeks. However, recovery time depends on the severity of the strain. Mild pulls may heal within two to three weeks, while more serious strains can take months to heal, especially if surgery is required.
To aid recovery, it is important to stop any activity that causes strain on the chest muscles and rest. Applying ice packs or heat to the injured area can help reduce pain and inflammation. Wrapping an elastic bandage around the chest can help reduce swelling, but it is important to ensure that the bandage is not too tight, as this can cause additional pain. Keeping the chest elevated, especially at night, is also recommended. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be taken to manage pain and inflammation.
As the pain lessens, individuals can slowly return to their previous level of physical activity. It is important to listen to your body and not rush back into strenuous activity, as this may aggravate the injury. For chronic strains that do not improve with rest, physical therapy may be recommended to restore strength and mobility. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair torn muscles.
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