{"id":3014,"date":"2019-01-18T05:36:42","date_gmt":"2019-01-18T05:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3014"},"modified":"2021-03-22T21:13:22","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T21:13:22","slug":"16-causes-of-right-side-chest-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/16-causes-of-right-side-chest-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Causes of Right Side Chest Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There are many different reasons that a person may experience pain in the right side of their chest. Most of the time, discomfort or pain in the chest is not related to a heart issue. In fact, if you are experiencing pain on the right side of your chest, it typically is not because of a heart attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are other tissues and organs that call the chest area home. Any of these may become injured or inflamed. This can cause you to experience pain in the chest area. Any aches that you may experience on the right side of your chest is likely caused by an infection, stress, anxiety, muscle strains, or other conditions that are not related to the heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While chest pain is not something that you should ignore altogether, chances are good that if it is on your right side it does not have anything to do with your heart. Here are 8 of the most common causes of right side chest pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Anxiety and Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Extreme stress or an anxiety <\/a>disorder can cause a person to have a panic attack. Panic attacks may feel similar to having a heart attack. In fact, many people who suffer from panic attacks have many of the same symptoms that are associated with a heart attack. Some of the symptoms of a panic attack include chest pain, shortness of breath, vertigo, numbness in the extremities, trembling, sweating, heart palpitations, and fainting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A panic attack may cause a person to experience chest pain because as they are breathing rapidly or hyperventilating, the muscles in the chest walls are spasming. Pain caused by stress and anxiety may occur on one or both sides of the chest. Since the symptoms of a panic attack can mimic that of a heart attack, it is a good idea to seek medical care to rule out any issues related to the heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Muscle Strain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common reasons that a person will experience pain in the side of their chest is from a muscle strain<\/a>. Trauma to the area or simple overuse can cause a person to experience pain in a certain area of the chest. A muscle strain may occur from participating in the intense upper-body activity. Some sports that require upper body strength can cause a person to experience muscle strain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overexertion of the muscles through a vigorous activity such as chopping wood, painting a ceiling, or anything that involves intense upper body movement, can cause pain in the chest muscles. A person may also experience muscle pain as a result of anxiety or tension in the area. Most of the time taking an over the counter pain medication and simply getting some rest so your muscles can heal will be enough to ease the symptoms caused by a muscle strain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Blunt Trauma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A tear in the pectoralis muscle can also cause a person to experience chest pain. Most often, a tear in this muscle is caused by a direct blow to the chest area. It may also be caused by an indirect trauma<\/a> to the chest. Rib fractures and rib displacement can also be a result of blunt force trauma to the chest. There are several symptoms a person may experience after being hit directly or indirectly in the chest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some symptoms may include pain that worsens with sneezing, coughing, or laughing, bruising, swelling, and tenderness. All of these symptoms are a sign that there is something wrong. You may have just bruised the muscles or you may have torn the pectoralis muscle or damaged a rib. If you have received a blow to the chest and are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Heartburn or Indigestion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Heartburn<\/a> will feel like there is a burning inside of your chest. This often occurs after bending over, eating, working out, or at times when you lie down at night. Acid reflux is typically the cause of this. Reflux occurs when your stomach acid flows up into the esophagus. In addition to feeling pain inside of your chest, you may also have a burning feeling in your throat and may experience difficulty swallowing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people who have heartburn feel like there is food stuck in the middle of their chest or still lodged in their throat. Indigestion refers to having an upset stomach feeling. Often times indigestion does not cause a person to have chest pain. However, there are times when a person may experience indigestion alongside heartburn. When this occurs a person may experience pain in their chest as well as an unexplained salty, sour, or acidic taste in the back of their mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Costochondritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the main symptoms of costochondritis <\/a>is chest pain. This condition occurs when the cartilage of the rib cage gets inflamed. The pain that is caused by this inflammation may be quite mild or it can become quite severe. While the pain is often felt on the left side of the chest, it can also occur on the right side of the chest. Other symptoms that a person with costochondritis may experience include pain in the abdomen and along the back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This pain may become worse when you take a deep breath or if you have to cough. Chest pain that is caused by costochondritis can feel similar to chest pain that is experienced when having a heart attack or other health-related issues. If you are experiencing this type of chest pain it is important to seek medical attention right away so that any life-threatening conditions can be ruled out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Cholecystitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When bile builds up inside of the gallbladder it can cause the gallbladder to become inflamed. Inflammation of the gallbladder is referred to as cholecystitis<\/a>. Most of the time cholecystitis is caused by gallstones. These gallstones develop and then block the tube that leads out of the gallbladder. Issues with the bile duct can also cause inflammation of the gallbladder. In some cases, tumors are the cause of the blockage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chest pain is not necessarily a symptom of cholecystitis. However, it may seem like you are having chest pain when experiencing cholecystitis. If your gallbladder is inflamed it may cause you to feel intense pain in the upper right abdominal area. This pain may shoot up through your right arm and into your shoulder or back. Other symptoms of cholecystitis include fever, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, and tenderness in the abdominal area. Discuss these symptoms with your doctor to determine the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Pancreatitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pancreatitis <\/a>is the inflammation of the pancreas. This occurs when the digestive enzymes in the body start to work while they are still inside the pancreas. These enzymes cause the cells in the pancreas to become irritated. When the cells of the pancreas become irritated it causes the organ to become inflamed. There are numerous reasons a person may develop pancreatitis. Some of them include gallstones and alcoholism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person experiencing pancreatitis may experience pain located in their upper abdomen. The pain could also radiate down the back. This can seem like there is pain or discomfort in the chest area as well. Some of the other symptoms of pancreatitis include fever, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, pain in the abs that worsens after eating, tenderness to the touch of the abdomen. The only way to know for sure what is causing these symptoms is to visit your doctor in order to determine the issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Pleurisy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the membrane lining located on the inner side of the chest cavity becomes inflamed, it is called pleurisy<\/a>. The pleura line the area of the chest near the lungs. When these become inflamed it can cause pain on one or both sides of the chest when you are breathing. You may also experience pain in the back and shoulders with each breath that you take. The pain in the chest can become worse when you laugh, sneeze, or cough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the pleurisy is caused by a lung infection the chest pain may be accompanied by a cough or fever. Many people who experience pleurisy experience shortness of breath as they try to minimize breathing in and out. The chest pain that accompanies pleurisy can be quite severe. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you need to make sure to see your doctor right away for a proper diagnosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Angina<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients with angina <\/a>complain about a pain emanating from their heart outwards toward their shoulders. In some cases, the pain shoots down the upper arm as well. Angina is not a disease in and of itself, but rather a symptom of coronary artery disease, and a sign that a severe cardiac event is on the way.
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Pain associated with angina is tightness in the right side of the chest, with stabbing or shooting pains directed towards the extremities. Coronary artery disease occurs due to elevated LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. Excess LDL forms plaque on arterial walls that ends up creating blockages, reducing blood flow to and from the heart, leading to congestive heart failure.
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There are three types of angina;
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Chronic angina \u2013 This occurs over several years.
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Unstable angina \u2013 Symptoms with no regular pattern. This form can often signal an oncoming heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Microvascular variant angina \u2013 This form of the condition occurs without the presence of any coronary artery disease, and doctors treat it with medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Myocarditis
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This condition describes inflammation <\/a>of the heart muscle. Myocarditis often presents no symptoms, and many affected individuals appear entirely healthy. Myocarditis typically occurs due to viral or bacterial infection of heart tissues. When invading pathogens set up shop in heart tissue, they can cause severe cardiovascular issues.
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Viral and bacterial infections that are the cause of myocarditis include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Cytomegalovirus (CMV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Hepatitis C<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    HPV<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Parvovirus<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    HIV<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Mycoplasma bacteria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Staphylococcal bacteria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Streptococcal bacteria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Coxsackie B viruses
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One of the more common signs and symptoms of myocarditis is a stabbing pain in the center of the chest that leads to tightness in the right side. If left untreated, myocarditis can result in congestive heart failure and death. However, most patients that receive treatment in time will make a full recovery.
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It\u2019s important to note that allergic reactions to certain drugs can cause myocarditis as well. Always consult with your doctor before undertaking any supplement or medication protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Pneumonia
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Streptococcus pneumoniae is the bacteria responsible for causing pneumonia<\/a>. The disease usually occurs in individuals dealing with a bout of chronic bronchitis. The alveoli are the tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchial tubes. These air sacs are responsible for exchanging the air we breathe with CO2 circulating in the lungs.
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During chronic bronchitis, these sacs fill with fluid and phlegm, producing a tight feeling in the right or left side of the chest, along with a persistent cough that brings up mucus. The mucus may vary in color as the infection progresses.
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If left untreated, the mucus in the lungs provides the ideal breeding ground for infection. As a result, bronchitis can develop into pneumonia in the presence of contact with the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.
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Pneumonia requires immediate treatment with antibiotics. IF the infected individual fails to receive treatment in time, the infection may spread to both of the lungs, producing a life-threating state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Pulmonary Embolism
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A pulmonary embolism<\/a> occurs when there is a blockage in one of the lungs pulmonary arteries. In the majority of cases, a blood clot causes the obstruction. This condition becomes life-threatening because it affects blood flow to the lungs, restricting the flow of oxygen in the body. The situation calls for prompt treatment to save a person\u2019s life.
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Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism vary depending on the size of the clot, as well as how much of the lung is under infection, and whether or not you\u2019re currently dealing with an existing heart or lung disease. Include tightness in the right side of the chest, as well as shortness of breath and chest pain. The pain may intensify if you try to breathe deeply, and it won\u2019t go away when you rest.
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Symptoms typically increase in severity during physical exertion, and its best to sit down and rest if you notice any of the signs of a pulmonary embolism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Pulmonary hypertension
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We\u2019ve already discussed the effects of hypertension <\/a>and how they can create symptoms of tightness in the right side of the chest. However, there is another chronic hypertensive state that contributes to similar symptoms as well.
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Pulmonary hypertension occurs when the blood pressure in the heart and lungs starts to elevate. With pulmonary hypertension, blood blocks the tiny arteries in your lungs, causing symptoms of shortness of breath, and a stabbing sensation in the right side of the chest. Taking in oxygen may assist to relieve symptoms and reduce the pain.
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As the arteries constrict, less blood passes through the tubes and into the heart and lungs. If left untreated, this life-threatening condition can develop into congestive heart failure or heart attack. Physicians can treat pulmonary hypertension with medications to provide relief. However, this is a chronic condition with no cure, and eventually, the patient will experience some form of cardiovascular complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Shingles
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More than two-thirds of the American population receives infection with the chickenpox virus during their childhood. The same virus responsible for this disease, varicella, is also responsible for the development of shingles <\/a>in adults. The infection may lay dormant for decades before manifesting as shingles later in life.
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Shingles vary in their symptoms and effects in people. In most cases, affected individuals experience the outbreak of a rash that often links around their torso. During the course of the infection, symptoms of pain, fever, and illness are far more severe than with chickenpox. Tightness in the chest is another symptom associated with shingles.
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Doctors agree that seniors who experience shingles receive a far worse experience than younger adults dealing with the virus. Your medical professional will treat shingles with antiviral medication to reduce symptoms. However, it\u2019s important to note that shingles is a virus and you\u2019ll need to give it time to work its way out of your system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Coronary Artery Disease
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With today\u2019s modern lifestyle of easy access to convenience foods and sugar, it\u2019s no wonder that rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are out of control in the American population. A sedentary lifestyle combined with poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking, and a junk food diet, dramatically raise levels of LDL cholesterol <\/a>in the blood.
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LDL is the only risk factor for coronary heart disease, and individuals with LDL levels exceeding 70mg\/dL in their bloodwork, are at risk of developing the condition. CAD is a slow killer, building plaque in the walls of the arteries for years before breaki9ng free of the arterial wall and forming a blockage.
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Individuals with high cholesterol need to manage their HDL and LDL levels with statin medications to ensure they stay within the healthy range for triglycerides. If left unmanaged and untreated, CAD will eventually result in angina, where the right side of the chest experiences symptoms of pain as the heart struggles to pump blood through the arteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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16. Heart Attack
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The reduction in blood flow to the heart causes congestive heart failure. With less blood to pump, the heart begins to fail, initiating a stabbing pain in the center of the chest. This piercing pain that radiates from the chest toward the shoulder and down the arms.
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As the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently, it starts to undergo the symptoms of myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack. Even when the patient sits down and rests, symptoms of pain will not subside. Other signs of a heart attack<\/a> include shortness of breath, excessive sweating, tightness in the chest, and anxiety.
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If you notice signs of angina or tightness in the chest that could be related to a heart attack, its best to contact your doctor immediately. Have someone assist you and arrange for an ambulance to transport you to the nearest emergency room for diagnosis and treatment.
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