What are the 3 Top Causes of Chest Pain?

What are the 3 top causes of chest pain?

Chest pain can be an incredibly unsettling and frightening experience. Whilst many people immediately think of a heart attack, the cause can range from mild muscle strain to serious internal conditions.

The top 3 causes of chest pain, based on frequency and clinical significance, are:

• Musculoskeletal Pain: Often referred to as “chest wall pain,” this is frequently caused by inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs (costochondritis) or simple muscle strain. It is usually sharp and can be reproduced by pressing on the area or moving in certain ways.

• Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD): Also known as acid reflux or heartburn, this occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus. It creates a burning sensation behind the breastbone and is often triggered by eating, lying down, or bending over.

• Angina: This is chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t get as much blood as it needs, typically left-sided (and spreading to the left arm) after physical exertion or stress. It usually feels like pressure or squeezing and subsides relatively quickly with rest.

Other Common Causes

While the three above are frequent culprits, several other conditions commonly manifest as chest pain:

• Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Intense fear can cause a rapid heart rate and tightness in the chest, often accompanied by trembling or a sense of doom.

• Respiratory Issues: Pleurisy (inflammation of the lung lining), pneumonia, or a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) can cause sharp pain that worsens when taking a deep breath, moving or coughing.

• Pericarditis: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericardium), which often causes a sharp, stabbing pain that may improve when leaning forward.

Rarer but Serious Causes

• Aortic Dissection: A life-threatening tear in the wall of the aorta, often described as a sudden, “tearing” or “ripping” sensation in the chest (speading to the back) or back. It usually requires rapid surgery in a cardio-thoracic surgical unit.

• Pulmonary Embolism: A blood clot in the lung that causes a rapid onset of chest pain (worse on breathing in) and severe shortness of breath.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Chest pain should never be self-diagnosed if it is new, severe, or worsening. It can be the primary sign of a Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack).

Seek emergency medical help immediately if you experience:

• Sudden pressure, squeezing, or crushing pain in the center of the chest.

• Pain radiating to the jaw, neck, back, or down one or both arms.

• Shortness of breath accompanying the pain.

• Cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness, or extreme weakness.

• Pain that lasts longer than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.