Causes of Chest Pain, Chest Tightness, Chest Pressure, Chest Discomfort Symptoms

Whether you call it chest pain, tightness, pressure or discomfort, they all tend to send your mind racing to your heart, as in heart attack.  Yet, a heart attack is not the only cause for a piqued chest.

Intermittent chest pain is prevalent, and chest discomfort in the younger crowd is often caused by something other than their heart.

There are many conditions that cause the symptom of chest pain, tightness, pressure or discomfort, for instance:

When all is not well with your lungs, they are notorious for causing tightness or pressure in your chest, for example:

Your chest discomfort may also be caused by digestive problems like:

Chest pressure can be a side effect of your medications:

Any chest organ or tissue can be a source for your pain, such as:

  • ribs
  • heart
  • lungs
  • nerves
  • tendons
  • muscles
  • esophagus

Esophagus being the most common. Esophageal spasms cause a burning sensation in your chest likely due to acid reflux or stress aggravation.

The chest pain caused by anxiety and panic attacks is typically accompanied by impending doom feeling, dyspnea, heart palpitations, sweating and insomnia.

Your chest pain and discomfort can be serious. So seek immediate health care, reworded is nearest emergency room or call 911, if:

  • chest pain is inexplicable
  • discomfort does not go away
  • sudden crushing, squeezing chest pain or pressure
  • chest tightness during physical activity or under emotional stress
  • pain radiates into back, neck, jaw, shoulders, arms ~ especially the left side
  • chest pain accompanied by nausea, sweating, dizziness or shortness of breath

These symptoms may or may not indicate a heart attack. But your future health may depend on ruling it out.

Heartfelt Health Blurbs:

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