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Chest pain can be a symptom of a serious condition, such as a heart attack, and should not be taken lightly. However, it can also be caused by less serious issues, such as a pulled muscle or heartburn. Chest muscle pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, arthritis, and other rheumatic conditions. It can be difficult to distinguish between cardiac and non-cardiac chest pain, so it is important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing any chest discomfort.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal chest pain causes | Muscle strains, rib fractures, arthritis, rheumatic conditions, sternalis syndrome, xiphoid process pain, pleurodynia, tumors, pulled muscles, heartburn, acid reflux, hiatal hernia, pancreatitis, panic attacks, pericarditis, pleuritis, pulmonary embolism, shingles, lung cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), asthma, respiratory infections, blood clots, chickenpox, emotional stress, anxiety |
| Cardiac chest pain characteristics | Pressure, squeezing, clenching, tingling, numbness, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, worse with exercise, better with rest, better with nitroglycerin |
| Chest pain treatment | Medicines, operations, lifestyle changes, surgery, emergency treatment |
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Strained or pulled chest muscle
A strained or pulled chest muscle is a tear in the muscle caused by overstretching or pressure. It is a common cause of chest pain and can be quite painful, although it is usually less serious than heart problems. Nearly half of all chest muscle strains occur in the intercostal muscles, which are responsible for helping you breathe. However, strains can also occur in the pectoralis major or pectoralis minor muscles.
Pulled chest muscles commonly occur in athletes, especially in contact sports and other athletic activities that require forceful or repetitive motion, such as tennis, golf, gymnastics, and rowing. Weightlifting can also cause chest strains if the arms are pulled back and overhead quickly or for prolonged periods. Outside of sports, manual labour is another common cause of pulled chest muscles.
Chest muscle strains can also happen gradually through repetitive strain injuries. Certain illnesses, such as a chest cold or bronchitis, can cause coughing that leads to a pulled chest muscle. Additionally, older individuals are at a higher risk of experiencing chest wall injuries from falls.
The treatment for mild chest muscle strains involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). It is important to stop activity as soon as you notice pain and resume light activity only if pain subsides after a few days. Applying ice or a cold pack to the affected area for 20 minutes up to three times a day can help with pain and inflammation. If necessary, wrap an elastic bandage around any areas of inflammation to reduce swelling, but be careful not to wrap it too tightly to avoid impairing circulation. Keep your chest elevated, especially at night, and consider sleeping in a recliner or using pillows or a wedge to prop yourself up. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also help manage pain and inflammation.
Most chest muscle strains are minor injuries that can heal on their own within a few weeks with proper care. However, if the pain does not improve with RICE or gets worse, it is important to consult a doctor. They will determine if the strain is acute or chronic and assign a grade based on the severity of the injury. Chronic strains may benefit from physical therapy and exercises to correct muscle imbalances. In severe cases of complete muscle rupture, surgery may be required to reattach the affected tendon to the bone.
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Heart issues
Chest pain can be a symptom of a heart issue. It can be challenging to diagnose the exact cause of chest pain due to its numerous potential causes. However, healthcare providers typically begin by ruling out life-threatening conditions first.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when there is a lack of blood flow to the heart, often due to a narrowing or blockage in the heart's arteries (coronary artery disease). It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Uncomfortable feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness, or pain in the chest
- Pain radiating outward to one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Light-headedness or fainting
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Angina Pectoris (Stable Angina)
Angina pectoris is chest pain resulting from coronary heart disease. It occurs when there is insufficient blood flow to the heart due to narrowed or blocked arteries. While it is not a heart attack, it may be a warning sign of one.
Coronary Artery Dissection
This is a tear in one of the heart's arteries, which can be life-threatening.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is the inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. It can cause chest pain that may feel sharp or dull and may radiate to the neck, back, or arms.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
This condition involves a thickening of the heart muscle, which can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.
Aortic Dissection and Aneurysm
An aortic dissection is a tear in the aorta, the largest artery in the body. An aortic aneurysm is a weak area in the aorta that bulges outward. Both conditions can be life-threatening and cause chest pain.
It is important to note that chest pain can have many causes, including issues with the heart, lungs, digestive system, muscles, bones, or joints. If you are experiencing chest pain, it is essential to seek medical attention, especially if you suspect a heart-related issue.
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Lung issues
Chest pain can be indicative of a variety of lung issues, some of which may be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Here are some of the possible lung-related causes of chest pain:
Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the blood vessels within the lungs, most commonly caused by a blood clot. This condition is considered a medical emergency as it stops blood from reaching the lungs. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism may include chest pain and shortness of breath.
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax, or the collapse of the lung, can cause chest pain. This condition may require medical attention, and the severity of the collapse may vary.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid or pus, resulting in sharp or stabbing chest pain that often worsens when coughing or breathing deeply. Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections can all lead to pneumonia.
Pleurisy or Pleuritis
Pleurisy, also known as pleuritis, is the inflammation of the lining around the lung. It causes sharp chest pain that typically intensifies when taking a deep breath or coughing. Other symptoms may include fever, coughing, and general muscle aches.
Asthma
Asthma can be a cause of chest pain. It is important for individuals with asthma to avoid triggers and seek immediate treatment for respiratory infections.
Cancer
In rare cases, a malignant neoplasm (cancerous tumor) originating in the lungs or breasts can spread to the chest wall, resulting in musculoskeletal chest pain.
It is important to note that chest pain can have various causes, and it is always advisable to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Rheumatoid arthritis
RA can cause chest pain, and this is a symptom that should not be ignored. Chest pain caused by RA is likely due to costochondritis, or inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs attach to the breastbone. This pain tends to be localized to the center of the chest and may worsen when taking a deep breath or pressing on the ribs. It is important to distinguish this pain from that of a heart attack, which radiates to other parts of the body and is often accompanied by nausea or lightheadedness.
RA can also cause muscle pain, and it often leads to depression and anxiety. The illness can affect the small nerves in the hands and feet, causing numbness or a "pins-and-needles" feeling. In rare cases, stomach pain could be a sign of rheumatoid vasculitis, a serious complication where inflammation spreads to the blood vessels.
In addition to the direct impact of RA on the body, the medications used to treat it can also cause side effects. For example, steroids can weaken bones, increasing the risk of breaking a bone during a fall. Exercise, particularly weight-bearing activities like walking, can help to keep bones strong. Over time, RA can also increase the risk of heart disease by causing plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis), which can lead to chest pain associated with a heart attack.
If you are experiencing chest pain, it is important to seek medical advice to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
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Tumours
There are two types of chest wall tumours: primary and secondary. Primary chest wall tumours begin in the chest wall and may be either cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). Secondary chest wall tumours begin somewhere else in the body and spread to the chest wall. These are always cancerous. About 60% of all chest wall tumours are cancerous and they affect fewer than 1 in 50 people.
Chest wall tumours typically manifest as painful, quickly growing, and easily palpable masses. They can cause musculoskeletal pain in the chest, which may feel like pressure, squeezing, or clenching. The pain may spread from the chest to the neck and jaw or down the arms, and it may be accompanied by sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath.
If chest wall cancer is suspected, a doctor will carefully review the patient's medical history and conduct a full physical examination. Additional tests may be ordered, including imaging tests such as chest X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans. In some cases, a biopsy may also be needed for diagnosis.
Treatment options for chest wall tumours include surgery to remove the tumour, reconstructive surgery to repair the damage caused by the tumour, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
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Frequently asked questions
Chest muscle pain can be caused by a range of issues, including muscle strain, rib fractures, arthritis, and other rheumatic conditions. It can also be caused by a panic attack, heartburn, or a pulmonary embolism.
Chest muscle pain can feel similar to a heart attack, but there are some key differences. A heart attack often causes a dull pain or uncomfortable feeling of pressure, heaviness, or tightness in the chest, which may radiate to the arms, back, neck, or jaw. Chest muscle pain, on the other hand, may be sharp or sudden and is likely to hurt when you press on the affected area.
If you are experiencing chest muscle pain, it is important to seek medical attention, especially if you are unsure of the cause. A doctor will be able to diagnose the issue and provide appropriate treatment. If the pain is due to a muscle strain, they will grade the injury based on the extent of the damage and may recommend surgery in severe cases.
Yes, there are some self-care measures you can try to alleviate chest muscle pain. These include muscle relaxants, warm compresses, relaxation techniques, and deep breathing exercises. However, if the pain is severe or persistent, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional.
