{"id":3130,"date":"2019-01-22T09:05:05","date_gmt":"2019-01-22T09:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3130"},"modified":"2021-03-23T17:57:08","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T17:57:08","slug":"15-reasons-why-you-have-chest-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-reasons-why-you-have-chest-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Reasons Why You Have Chest Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tightness in the chest can occur for a variety of different reasons. However, when most people begin to feel chest pain, they think of the worst and expect the onset of a heart attack. While chest pain is a severe condition, it\u2019s not always the start of cardiac myopathy. Patients describe the feeling as a stabbing or sharp pain that emanates from the chest into the shoulders or upper back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chest pain may come from problems with your nervous system, indigestion, lung issues, or other diseases affecting other parts of the body. Some of these reasons may be life-threatening, while others are harmless. In either case, if you experience chest pain, you should visit your local emergency room immediately for a diagnosis of your condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over one-quarter of Americans experience some form of chest pain during their adult years. Here are eight reasons why you have chest pain. If you experience any of them, have a friend or family member drive you to the casualty ward for assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Heart Attack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Each year, more than 1.5-million Americans suffer from heart attacks, with the condition taking the lives of over 800,000-people, that\u2019s one-third of all annual deaths attributed to this condition. A decrease in blood flow to the heart causes cell death leading to sharp shooting pains from the chest to the shoulder and extending down the right or left arm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heart attacks<\/a> typically take hours to manifest, so affected individuals have time to get to the emergency room to seek treatment if they recognize the symptoms early and take action to seek medical help. Upon visiting the emergency room, your doctor will ask you a series of questions to describe what you\u2019re feeling and how the symptoms arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A heart attack usually occurs with a plethora of other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and nausea. Your survival depends on how quickly you receive treatment, so if you notice any signs of chest pain, its best to take a trip to the emergency room as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Aortic Aneurysm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are suffering from aortic aneurysm<\/a> experience swelling in the lining of the aortic artery, the largest artery in the body. When blood flow becomes impaired, the artery wall begins to expand, forming an aneurysm. This balloon-like bulge in the aorta makes the chest sensitive to touch, and it doesn\u2019t always produce chest pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, when an aneurysm blocks the largest artery in the body, it has a detrimental effect on blood circulation. This lack of blood flow results in shortness of breath and coughing as well. The signs of an aortic aneurysm are subtle, and many people don\u2019t realize there\u2019s anything wrong with them, especially if they lead a sedentary lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Failure to receive treatment in time may result in an aneurysm bursting, leading to sudden death. If you notice chest pain isolated to the chest region, you may be suffering from this disorder, seek medical treatment immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Coronary Artery Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our body produces two different forms of cholesterol<\/a>. HDL, (think \u201cH\u201d for \u201chappy,\u201d) is a good form of cholesterol that\u2019s important for normal heart function. However, \u201cLDL,\u201d the dangerous type of cholesterol, can form atherosclerosis plaque on the walls of the arteries when in high concentrations in the blood. Medical science states that anyone with a blood serum LDL cholesterol reading of greater than 70-mg per d\/L is at risk of developing atherosclerosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the arteries become blocked by plaque, it increases blood pressure, leading to a condition known as \u201chypertension.\u201d eventually, hypertension leads to the plaque dislodging from the artery wall and forming a clot that can lead to the onset of a sudden heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risk factors for developing CAD include a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet choices, such as a diet high in trans-saturated fat and sugar from consuming too much fast food and sugary soda. Lowering your intake of these foods will improve your cholesterol ratio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Myocarditis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When a viral infection affects the heart, it creates inflammation of the tissue resulting in a mild feeling of pressure or pain in the chest. Myocarditis <\/a>affects over 1.5-million people across the globe each year. Other symptoms of the condition include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, of myocarditis, patients experience a decline in blood flow that leads to confusion and diminishing cognitive function as the brain does not receive enough oxygen. Therefore, it\u2019s critical that you don\u2019t drive to the hospital yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat myocarditis with antiviral medications to kill off the invading pathogens and reduce the swelling symptoms in heart tissue. If left untreated, myocarditis can lead to severe complications, including heart attack or stroke to the affected individual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For patients that notice heart arrhythmia – it’s best to have someone drive you to the emergency room immediately, for assessment and diagnosis by a medical professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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

Pericarditis <\/a>is another inflammatory condition affecting the watery sac around the heart. Medical science is not as yet clear on the exact cause of the disease. However, research suggests that pericarditis typically occurs due to bacterial or viral infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition produces sensations of pain, described as a sharp or dull ache that begins in the center or to the left of the heart and creeps into the shoulder area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent heart surgery is another possible cause of pericarditis. After an operation, such as a bypass, the patient may not receive the correct post-procedure care and develop an infection in the repaired tissue. In this case, surgeons will have to treat the condition with drugs, and in some cases operate on the patient again to remove damaged tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The infection is rare, affecting less than 0.1-percent of all hospital admissions. However, if you have undergone recent surgery, and notice symptoms of chest pain, its best to visit the emergency room for treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Valve Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our heart has four valves that control blood flow in and out of the heart. As we age, we run the risk of developing valve disease, affecting the normal function of the heart valves. Typically, this disease occurs in people older than 40-years of age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disease typically affects people who smoke cigarettes and abuse alcohol. Individuals with poor diets high in sodium<\/a>, saturated fat, and sugar are also at high risk of developing valve disease. Doctors treat the condition using a combination of drug therapy and lifestyle changes to improve eating habits, stop smoking, and eliminate alcohol abuse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice the signs of valve disease, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and a heart murmur, arrange a consultation with your doctor as soon as you can. While the illness may not be life-threatening in its initial stages, it can develop into a severe health concern that may lead to a heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Pulmonary Embolism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When blood clots become lodged in an artery in your lungs, it forms what\u2019s known as a \u201cpulmonary embolism.\u201d This condition produces a sudden, sharp pain in the chest that gets worse when you exert yourself by walking, standing up suddenly, or bending over to pick up an object. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pulmonary embolism<\/a> makes it challenging to breathe, and you may feel like you have a heavy object sitting on your chest. The tightness in the chest from a pulmonary embolism feels a lot like the symptoms of a heart attack, but the sensation can either come on quickly or take hours to develop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pulmonary embolism can stop blood flow to the heart, resulting in sudden death. Therefore, if you notice symptoms of sharp chest pain, have someone drive you to the emergency room immediately for diagnosis and treatment. In most cases, a pulmonary embolism requires surgery to remove the blood clot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Also known by its acronym, COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder occurs when the alveoli, the tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchial tubes, become saturated with fluid. The condition has no cure, but doctors can mitigate symptoms using drug therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COPD typically affects individuals that smoke cigarettes, the constant irritation of the lungs causes inflammation <\/a>in the bronchial tubes and the alveoli leading to frequent bouts of aggressive coughing. Individuals with COPD will often cough up mucus in their sputum, and as the disease progresses, they end up coughing up blood in their sputum as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People suffering from COPD experience an expansion in the size of the lungs which places pressure on the surrounding organs, including the heart. As a result, they may feel a slight heart murmur or experience mild chest pain. Other symptoms of COPD include wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9.    Angina<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients describe angina <\/a>as a feeling of tightness in the chest akin to someone squeezing their ribcage with a vice or something heavy weighing down on their chest. The condition occurs due to a lack of blood flow to the heart. Angina is a serious health concern that requires immediate medical intervention. While symptoms of angina do not necessarily mean that you are about to experience a heart attack, it\u2019s a sign that you can expect heart trouble soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left undiagnosed and untreated, the underlying condition causing angina, such as coronary artery disease, may result in a severe reduction of blood flow, resulting in congestive heart failure and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any signs of tightness in the chest, its best to consult with your doctor to receive a diagnosis. Should your physician conclude that you\u2019re suffering from angina, they\u2019ll order more blood tests to uncover the underlying cardiovascular condition causing the issues.
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10.    Collapsed Lung<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Also known by the medical community as \u201cpneumothorax,\u201d a collapsed lung occurs when air gets between the ribcage and the lung, forcing the lung to cave in and collapse. In most cases, patients only receive a partial collapse, but in severe cases, it may affect both lungs \u2013 presenting a life-threatening situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The feelings of tightness in the chest are often accompanied by pain symptoms when they inhale. As they inhale the fresh air, the lung battles to expand against the air pressure between the ribcage and the lung<\/a>, resulting in sharp pain sensations that diminish as the patient exhales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat the condition by inserting a syringe needle into the affected area behind the ribs to allow for the air to escape. Failure to receive the correct medical treatment in time may result in a total collapse of the lung, or both lungs \u2013 resulting in death. Seek medical attention immediately if you have experienced blunt force trauma to the chest, as you could be suffering from pneumothorax.
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11.    Pneumonia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bronchitis <\/a>is a reasonably common infection of the respiratory system. The disease causes inflammation in the bronchial airways and the production of mucus that affects the alveoli, the tiny air sacs found at the end of the tubes. As a result, the infected individual develops coughing symptoms, and feelings of tightness in the chest, which may take up to a week to clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, people that don\u2019t seek treatment for their bronchitis run the risk of the condition progressing into pneumonia. In its weakened state, the body is prone to further bacterial infection. The bacteria responsible for the development of pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumoniae, thrives in the dark, damp environment of your lungs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, you may not notice any difference in symptoms. However, as the day passes, your condition will rapidly deteriorate as the bacteria breed in your lungs. If left untreated, pneumonia can spread to both lungs, presenting a life-threatening situation.
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12.    Anxiety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 40-million Americans suffer from some form of anxiety. Anxiety <\/a>is very different from stress. Stress is a biological response to an external stimulus, such as your boss asking you to prepare a report for this afternoon’s meeting. Anxiety is a mental health disorder. Anxiety produces different symptoms in people, ranging from slight panic to feelings of tightness in the chest. Some patients may confuse these symptoms with the onset of a heart attack or stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anxiety attacks can lead to full-blown panic attacks where the affected individual spins out of control thinking that they have a severe health condition and they might die as a result of the symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat the condition with benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, (alprazolam,) and Valium, (diazepam.) These drugs relieve feelings of anxiety by slowing brain waves, slightly sedating the patient. If left undiagnosed and unmanaged, high-anxiety may result in the development of other severe mental health disorders.
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13.    Hiatal Hernia
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A hiatal hernia <\/a>is another common disorder associated with tightness in the chest. The esophagus passes through the diaphragm, the cartilage in your chest responsible for flexing during breathing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are suffering from the effects of a hiatal hernia experience tightness in the chest due to the stomach pushing through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. Patients experiencing a hiatal hernia may notice symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux, along with feelings of tightness in the chest. People with GERD are at high risk of developing a hiatal hernia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surgeons treat the condition by repairing the hiatus, preventing the stomach from entering the chest cavity. In most cases, a hiatal hernia is not life-threatening unless it creates cardiovascular complications. However, failing to receive treatment will allow the condition to progress, resulting in disastrous consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most patients who undergo surgery to repair the hernia experience a full recovery and notice no lasting effects from the condition.
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14.    GERD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD<\/strong>, is a common digestive disorder affecting the lower esophageal sphincter. When the sphincter fails to close, due to a disruption in its normal function, it allows bile and stomach acids to enter the lower region of the esophagus<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This influx of bile creates tightness in the chest, along with heartburn and acid reflux. People suffering from GERD require a minor surgical procedure to repair the esophageal sphincter, returning it to normal function and preventing the passing of bile and stomach acid into the esophagus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are suffering from GERD find their symptoms worsen when they lie down. The bile and stomach acids enter the esophagus easily in this prone position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left undiagnosed and untreated, GERD may progress into a severe condition known as, \u201cBarret\u2019s esophagus,\u201d where the stomach lining starts to grow in the lower part of the esophagus to protect the tissues against acid reflux. Doctors manage the symptoms of GERD using antacids.
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15.    Lung Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lung cancer <\/a>is a terminal disease affecting more than 540,000 Americans. Physicians expect to diagnose 234,000 new cases of the disease in 2019. Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lungs experience an abnormality, turning them cancerous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the cancer tumors continue to grow in the lungs, they may create slight sensations of tightness and pain in the chest, especially after bouts of exercise or activity where the affected individual increases their heart rate and respiration. Other symptoms of lung cancer include coughing that produces phlegm, along with shortness of breath and chest pain that increases when you breathe deeply. Pain during coughing may also spread to the back and shoulders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t feel feverish and still experience coughing fits, especially coughing fits that result in your coughing up blood, then you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is devastating for most people, but with the right treatment, you can slow the progression of the disease and make the most out of your life with the time you have left.
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