Everything To Know About Chest Pain Symptoms

"Des - Chest pain may start suddenly and may be described as a sharp pain in the chest region. It may affect an individual\'s ability to do usual activities and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath, excessive coughing, pain in the shoulders, neck or jaw among others.
Chest Pain Symptoms


Definition of Chest Pain

Chest pain may start suddenly and may be described as a sharp pain in the chest region. It may affect an individual\'s ability to do usual activities and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath, excessive coughing, pain in the shoulders, neck or jaw among others.

Not all instances of chest pain are caused by life threatening conditions and could very well be caused by other less serious conditions that though still disagreeable will not be detrimental to one\'s health. For example indigestion or heartburn may cause some chest pain. However once chest pain occurs and an person is over a certain age, normally forty years old or older, he or she should consult a doctor to eliminate the presence of any other possibly serious conditions.


Possible Causes

The kind of chest pain that an individual experiences will be dependent on the base cause of the chest pain. Some causes of chest pain will include:

Heart Related causes
Having a heart attack may incite chest pain. A heart attack will cause an accumulation of pressure in the chest area, this resultant pain may last more than a few minutes. The pain may move towards the back, neck, jaw, shoulders and arms, but most likely the left arm will be affected. It may also be associated with symptoms such as shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness and nausea.
Angina pectoris which is an intense form of chest pain can be the primary reason for chest pain. When blood flow to the heart is limited this can cause on and off bouts of chest pain. It may be identified by the feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest cavity. It is typically induced by physical excretion or stress. The pain may be lessened when the activity that caused the chest pain is discontinued.
Pericarditis which is defined as an inflammation of the sac enveloping the heart (pericarditis) may trigger chest pain. It will cause a biting pain that will be strongest in the chest area. The pain may also be associated with a fever.
Coronary artery spasm will cause chest discomfort that may be mild or considerably painful. It occurs when arteries that supply blood to the heart begin to spasm, which then causes a brief disruption of the blood supply going tothe heart.. It may be induced by activity or even when sedentary. It is not uncommon for spasms to disturb sleep.

Other causes

Heartburn is a frequent cause of chest pain. It may be described as a painful, burning sensation behind the breast bone. It is normally associated with a sour taste in the mouth which is also called regurgitation. This kind of chest pain often proceeds a meal and may affect the person for hours. The pain is exacerbated when a person leans over or lies down. It may also be apparent upon swallowing. Usually taking a few anti-acids should relieve heart burn.
Having a panic attack may induce chest pain. This may be triggered by a grave fear or anxiety which will lead to the development of chest pain, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing or hyperventilating, excessive sweating and shortness of breath.
Pulmonary embolism may additionally cause chest pain. This happens when there is an hindrance in the lung artery. Symptoms will appear quite unexpectedly and may include: a cutting chest pain that is initiated when inhaling and is worsened with each breath or when coughing. It may be proceeded by shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, anxiety and feeling faint.
Sore muscles can trigger chest pain. When chest pain initiates from muscle related issues it may commence when an individual twists from side to side or when he or she raises the arms. It is often associated with a condition such as fibromyalgia.
A disease that affects the gall bladder and pancreas may trigger chest pain. The pain will most likely commence in the abdominal area and migrate to the chest.






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