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Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital
Pain in the right side of the chest can happen for a number of reasons, but most chest discomfort is not heart related, because in fact, right chest pain is not usually the result of a heart attack. So what is the main cause of chest pain?
1. The risk of causing chest pain
The chest is a reservoir for other organs and tissues, which can become inflamed or injured, causing you to feel pain. Any soreness you feel, is most likely due to muscle tension, infection, stress or anxiety, or other conditions unrelated to your heart.
Chest pain on the left side is often associated with a heart attack. If you feel pain on your right side, chances are it has nothing to do with your heart. However, you should still seek immediate medical attention if:
Sudden and unexplained severe chest pain Feeling pressure, squeezing or pushing on your chest Severe pain through your arms, back , neck, jaw, or stomach cold sweats Feeling weak, dizzy, or nauseated Shortness of breath Any of these symptoms could be caused by a serious or life-threatening condition, so you should Seek urgent medical attention as soon as possible.
2. Stress or anxiety causes chest pain
Some anxiety disorders or extreme stress can bring on panic attacks and often feel a lot like a heart attack. Panic attacks can be unusual or triggered by a traumatic, stressful event in your life. Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks can include:
Short of breath Chest pain Fast heartbeat Dizziness Numbness in hands and feet Sweating Tremors Fainting Panic attacks can cause chest pain because when you are breathing fast (breathing rapidly or deeply), the muscles of the chest wall are constricted. Pain from anxiety or stress may occur on either side of the chest. Since the symptoms of a panic attack can resemble those of a heart attack, you should seek immediate medical attention to rule out any heart-related problems.
3. Muscle tension causes chest pain
Injury or overexertion can cause muscle strain, which is one of the most common causes of pain on the sides of the chest. Muscle strain occurs due to overexertion of the upper body during sports or overexertion of the muscles when painting ceilings, chopping wood, or some other vigorous activity. Muscle pain can also come on gradually due to stress or anxiety.
In most cases, taking over-the-counter pain relievers and rest is enough to relieve symptoms.
4. Traumatic brain injury
Chest pain can also occur from a tear in the pectoral muscle, tearing often due to indirect trauma or a direct blow to the chest. Blunt trauma also leads to rib fracture or potential rib displacement. Symptoms of a chest injury or displaced rib include:
Chest pain that gets worse when coughing, sneezing or laughing Shortness of breath Bruising Swelling Tenderness If you are experiencing any of these symptoms , go see a doctor. They can determine if your wound can heal on its own or needs treatment.
5. Indigestion or heartburn
Ợ sour is a burning sensation in the chest after eating, bending over, exercising or even lying down at night. This condition is usually caused by acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.
In addition to chest pain, you may, feel a burning sensation in your throat, have trouble swallowing, feel like food is stuck in the middle of your throat or chest. Unexplained sour, salty, or sour taste in the back of the throat. Although indigestion doesn't usually cause chest pain, it can occur along with heartburn. Symptoms of indigestion include:
Nausea Early satiety and discomfort after eating Pain, discomfort and burning in the upper abdomen Blo
6. Acid Reflux
Acid reflux occurs when acid in the stomach flows back up the food pipe or esophagus. This condition can cause symptoms like:
Heartburn Abdominal pain Slightly Sour taste in your mouth If you have acid reflux more than twice a week, you may have developed acid reflux esophagus (GERD). In addition to chest pain, symptoms of GERD include:
Heartburn Sore throat or hoarseness Feeling like a lump in the throat Dry cough, difficulty swallowing Although you may find relief with home remedies But it's best to see a doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help treat or prevent symptoms.
7. Osteoarthritis
Chest pain is one of the main symptoms of osteomyelitis. This condition occurs when the cartilage of the rib cage becomes inflamed. The pain can be severe or mild and is usually felt on the left side of the chest, sometimes on the right side as well.
Chest pain due to sternal inflammation can feel similar to a heart attack or other heart-related conditions. If you should go to the emergency room, your doctor can rule out any life-threatening conditions.
8. Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis occurs when bile accumulates in the gallbladder. In most cases, cholecystitis is caused by gallstones blocking the ducts that drain the organ. The gallbladder can also become inflamed due to problems with the bile ducts or a tumor.
If the gallbladder is inflamed, you may feel severe pain in the right upper abdomen, which may spread to the right side. Other symptoms include:
Nausea Vomiting Fever Sweating Loss of appetite Pain when touching your stomach If you are experiencing any of these, see your doctor for a diagnosis.
9. Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) occurs when digestive enzymes start working while they are still in your pancreas. These enzymes stimulate pancreatic cells, causing the organ to become inflamed. Pancreatitis can occur for a number of reasons, including alcoholism or gallstones. Chest pain is not a symptom of pancreatitis, but you may have pain in your upper abdomen. This pain can also radiate to the back, adding to chest discomfort. Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:
Abdominal pain that gets worse after eating Fever, rapid pulse Nausea Vomiting Pain when touching your abdomen If pancreatitis becomes chronic, you may have mucus and stools and unusual weight loss.
10. Shingles
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is also the cause of chickenpox.
Shingles does not cause chest pain, but you may feel like you have a problem with your heart or lungs depending on where the virus is located. In addition to the rash, your symptoms may include:
Pain Burning Tingling or numbness Sensitivity to touch Fluid-filled blisters crack and crust, itching Although you may feel relief relief with home remedies but you should see your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor will prescribe medication to help clear the infection.
11. Pleurisy
Pleurisy occurs when the membrane lining the inside of the chest cavity, called the pleura, becomes inflamed. This can cause pain in the sides of your chest as you inhale and exhale, as well as pain in your shoulders and back. Symptoms include:
Chest pain that gets worse when coughing, sneezing or laughing Short of breath if you are trying to minimize inhaling and exhaling Fever or cough if the cause of the pleurisy is a lung infection If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, see your doctor for a diagnosis.
12. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. Pneumonia will cause you to have a cough, sometimes with phlegm, causing you to have pain on both sides of your chest. You may also feel chest pain when you breathe. Other symptoms of pneumonia include:
Shortness of breath Fever Sweating Shaking Chills Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea If the infection is left untreated, pneumonia can be fatal.
13. Pneumothorax
Sudden, sharp chest pain is the main symptom of pneumothorax or atelectasis. This can happen on the right or left side of the chest and is often the result of trauma. Other symptoms include:
Short of breath Feeling of tightness in the chest Fast heartbeat Cough, fatigue
14. Inflammation in the heart
There are two types of heart inflammation that can cause chest pain: myocarditis and pericarditis. Myocarditis occurs when your heart muscle becomes inflamed. Pericarditis refers to inflammation in the two layers of sac-like tissue (pericardium) surrounding the heart. Both of these conditions are usually caused by an infection and can lead to mild to severe chest pain. Myocarditis and pericarditis share many of the same symptoms, including:
Fever Weakness Shortness of Breath Cough Fast Heartbeat Fatigue Swelling of your legs, ankles, feet or stomach When you have pericarditis , chest discomfort can be so intense that it feels like you're having a heart attack. If chest pain is severe, go to the emergency room to rule out any life-threatening causes.
15. Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension refers to high blood pressure in the heart and lung systems. This can make your heart work harder, leading to you feeling pain all over your chest. Symptoms include:
Shortness of breath with regular activity Feeling light-headed, especially during physical activity Fatigue Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen Decreased appetite Fainting Swelling in the ankles or bluish lips or skin If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor for a diagnosis to help relieve symptoms and prevent future complications.
16. Pulmonary embolism
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels from a vein in your leg to your lungs. This sudden blockage of the artery prevents blood from flowing to the lung tissue, causing chest pain. The pain may also radiate throughout the arm, jaw, shoulder, and neck.
Pulmonary embolism can be fatal if left untreated, so seek emergency medical attention if you experience these symptoms.
If you're concerned about pain in the right side of your chest and persist for more than a few days, it's time to see your doctor. While the soreness and discomfort can be caused by something mild, like acid reflux, it's also likely to be caused by something more serious, like pulmonary hypertension. Once the cause is known, your doctor can create a treatment plan for your chest pain and the underlying cause.
In fact, chest pain has many different causes, so when there are health abnormalities, you should perform a general physical examination to check your overall health status from there. accurate assessment and best treatment direction.
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References
Acute cholecystitis. (2016).
nhs.uk/conditions/Cholecystitis-acute/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Symptoms
Am I having a panic attack or a heart attack? (n.d.).
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Ayloo A, et. al. (two thousand and thirteen). Evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal chest pain.
primarycare.theclinics.com/article/S0095-4543(13)00088-2/pdf
Chest injury symptoms. (n.d.).
healthdirect.gov.au/chest-injury-symptoms
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). (2016).
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/gastroesophogeal-reflux-disease-gerd?_ga=2.151603833.1509522860.1505367050-70361446.1505367050&_ga=2.151603833.1509522860.15053667050-70361446.1505367050