Dominic Stone
Chest pain is a common symptom of COVID-19 and can be caused by a variety of factors. These include muscle pain or soreness, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), inflammation of the membrane around the heart (pericarditis), inflammation of the tissue between the ribs and lungs (pleurisy), inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone (costochondritis), and anxiety or stress. While chest pain is often associated with heart problems, it can also originate from the muscles, bones, and nerves within the chest wall. Researchers continue to study the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the heart and lungs, as well as the potential for cardiac and pulmonary diseases to develop following infection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chest pain cause | Muscle pain or soreness, non-specific chest pain, pleuritic pain, myocardial injury, myocarditis, pericarditis, inflammation of the pleura, costochondritis, inflammation of nerves located between the ribs, pulmonary embolism, anxiety and stress |
| Muscle pain or soreness | Aches in the chest wall due to the body's inflammatory response to the virus |
| Non-specific chest pain | Can feel sharp or dull and is not caused by a problem with the heart |
| Pleuritic pain | Chest pain when breathing in, caused by inflammation of the tissue between the ribs and lungs |
| Myocardial injury | Injury to the heart muscle, causing cells in the heart muscle to die |
| Myocarditis | Inflammation of the heart muscle |
| Pericarditis | Inflammation in the membrane around the heart |
| Inflammation of the pleura | Inflammation of the thin membranes lining the lungs and chest cavity |
| Costochondritis | Inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone |
| Inflammation of nerves located between the ribs | Sharp, localized chest pain |
| Pulmonary embolism | A blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow |
| Anxiety and stress | Sensations of chest tightness or pain, even in the absence of physical damage to organs |
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What You'll Learn
Myocardial injury
Research indicates that inflammation is a key factor leading to COVID-19-related heart damage. When an individual is first infected with COVID-19, their body activates its immune system, which can result in inflammation that causes myocardial injury. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 often have comorbidities such as hypertension, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, or heart failure, which can further exacerbate the condition.
Acute nonischemic myocardial injury is the likely cause of cTn increases in COVID-19 patients. This type of injury occurs when there are dynamic increases or decreases in cTn concentration without clinical evidence of myocardial ischemia. It can be caused by cardiac etiologies such as acute heart failure, myocarditis, stress cardiomyopathy, or severe acute respiratory syndrome.
The risk of myocardial injury is heightened in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cardiomyopathy. The presence of these risk factors during a COVID-19 infection increases the likelihood of myocardial injury.
While myocardial injury is a concern during an active COVID-19 infection, it is important to note that heart problems can persist even after recovery from the initial infection. Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 may experience chest pain and are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
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Myocarditis and pericarditis
Chest pain is a common symptom of many ailments, and it has been linked to COVID-19 in several ways. Firstly, COVID-19 can cause muscle pain and soreness in the chest, which can worsen with movement and feel sore to the touch. Secondly, there is a link between COVID-19 and cardiovascular complications, including myocarditis and pericarditis, which can result in chest pain.
Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is the inflammation of the outer lining or membrane of the heart. These conditions frequently coexist and can be caused by viral infections. Myocarditis can lead to myocardial injury, causing cells in the heart muscle to die. Symptoms of myocardial injury may include chest pain, shortness of breath, or lower extremity swelling.
Several studies have found that SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly increased the incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis compared to pre-COVID levels. The risk of myocarditis is higher in male patients aged 12 to 40, regardless of the cause being a virus or a vaccine. While myocarditis and pericarditis are typically rare, the use of novel mRNA vaccine platforms has resulted in a higher number of reported cases.
It is important to note that chest pain can be a sign of something serious, such as a heart or lung problem, and may not always be related to COVID-19. If you experience any new or persistent chest pain, it is recommended to consult a doctor or healthcare professional.
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Muscle pain or soreness
Chest muscle pain or soreness can be a symptom of COVID-19. The pain might feel sore to the touch and usually worsens with movement. It is caused by the body's inflammatory response to the virus, which can also lead to inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or the membrane around the heart (pericarditis). Myocarditis often presents as chest pain that might feel like pressure, tightness, or a sharp ache, along with shortness of breath and irregular heartbeats. Pericarditis typically causes chest pain that can come on quickly and may worsen when breathing deeply or lying down. These heart-related conditions are less common but are serious complications of COVID-19.
In addition to muscle pain or soreness in the chest, COVID-19 can also cause muscle aches and joint pains in other parts of the body, including the shoulders, neck, back, hips, and knees. These symptoms may start when a person is ill with COVID-19 and continue for many weeks after. Exercise can help with the pain by keeping the muscles and joints moving. However, it is important to build up activity gradually and check with a doctor before starting any new exercises.
It is important to note that chest pain can also be a sign of something serious, such as a heart or lung problem, and may not always be related to COVID-19. If you are experiencing chest pain, it is recommended to see a doctor, as it could be a symptom of something more severe.
Furthermore, anxiety and stress, which are common during a COVID-19 infection, can also lead to sensations of chest tightness or pain, even in the absence of physical damage to organs. This type of chest pain can sometimes mimic more serious conditions, so it is important to seek medical advice if you are concerned.
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Non-specific chest pain
The virus can also cause inflammation or irritation of the intercostal nerves located between the ribs, resulting in sharp, localized chest pain. Additionally, frequent coughing associated with Covid-19 can strain the muscles between the ribs, leading to chest pain that might feel sore to the touch and worsen with movement or stretching. This type of muscular chest pain is a common symptom of Long Covid and typically affects the shoulders, neck, back, hips, and knees. It may start during the acute phase of the infection and persist for many weeks or even months afterward.
In some cases, non-specific chest pain may be related to psychological factors associated with Covid-19. Anxiety and stress, which are common during and after a Covid-19 infection, can manifest as chest tightness or pain, even in the absence of any physical damage to the organs. This type of chest pain can sometimes mimic more serious conditions, so it is important to seek medical advice if you are concerned.
While non-specific chest pain may have various causes, it is crucial to consult a doctor if you experience any new or persistent chest pain after Covid-19. It can be a sign of something serious, such as a heart or lung problem, and may require further investigation and treatment.
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Pleurisy
In some cases of pleurisy, excess fluid builds up in the pleural space, which is called a pleural effusion. This buildup of fluid can relieve the pain of pleurisy by forcing the two layers of the pleura apart so they do not rub against each other when breathing. However, a large amount of fluid can result in the collapse of the lung.
Management of pleurisy focuses on controlling pain, often with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and addressing the underlying cause.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, COVID-19 can cause chest muscle pain. This pain might feel sore to the touch and can worsen with stretching or movement.
Chest muscle pain in COVID-19 patients can be caused by inflammation or irritation of the nerves located between the ribs (intercostal nerves).
Other causes of chest pain in COVID-19 patients include myocarditis, pericarditis, pleurisy, costochondritis, and GERD.
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. It is a possible complication of COVID-19 and can cause chest pain.
Pericarditis is the inflammation of the outer lining of the heart. It can cause chest pain and fluid buildup around the heart.
