Know The Reasons Why Your Chest Hurts

Did you ever wonder what the reasons that cause your chest hurt are? Most of the people with chest pain fear a heart attack; however there are several possible causes of chest pain. Some of the causes of chest pain are not dangerous to your health. There are causes of chest pain that are serious and, in some cases, life-threatening.

Your heart, lungs, esophagus, muscles, ribs, tendons, nerves or any organ or tissue in your chest can be the source of pain. Chest pain can spread not only to the chest but can be felt from the neck, abdomen, and back pain.

Causes of chest pain

Heart or blood vessel problems that can cause chest pain:

• The feeling of tightness, heavy pressure, squeezing, or crushing pain are the most common symptoms of chest pain
• A tear in the wall of the aorta can cause pain that is sudden and severe in the chest and upper back
• Pain in the center part of the chest is caused by swelling in the sac that surrounds the heart

Lung problems associated with chest pain:

• Blood clot in the lung is also known as pulmonary embolism.
• Collapse of the lung  is also known as pneumothorax.
• When you take a deep breath or when you cough, sharp chest pain starts to gets worse which is due to pneumonia
• Lung problems may be associated with chest pain which repeatedly gets worse when you take a deep breath or when you cough. This discomfort or pain is caused by swelling of the lining around the lungs.

Other causes of chest pain:

• With fast breathing, panic attacks usually happens
• Ribs joining the breast bone or sternum (costochondritis) is the cause of inflammation
• The straining of the muscles and tendons that occurs between the ribs

Heart Attack Symptoms Caused By Chest Pain

When do you need to contact a medical professional?

1. If you suddenly start to feel crushing, squeezing, or tightening pain or pressure in your chest
2. Nausea, dizziness, sweating, a racing heart, or shortness of breath symptoms
3. When your chest hurts suddenly, and the pain becomes more intense in spite of light activity or if the pain lasts longer than usual
4. While you are at rest, your angina symptoms occur
5. When you feel shortness of breath even when sleeping
6. If you are diagnosed with a serious condition, such as heart attack or pulmonary embolism

The risk of having a heart attack is greater if the following applies:

• Heart disease is in your family history.
• You cholesterol or blood pressure is high, or if you have diabetes.
• You are diagnosed with heart disease.

Call your provider immediately if:

1. You begin to have fever or your cough starts to produce yellow-green phlegm
2. Your chest pain starts to become severe and doesn't go away.
3. Problems with swallowing start to occur
4. Your chest pain began to lasts longer than 3 to 5 days