What Could Chest Pain Mean?

While many people may brush off the likes of neck and back pain, experiencing chest pain, however, can keep individuals up late at night worrying.

• Coronary artery disease – when the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart muscles are blocked;

• Myocardial infarction (heart attack) – when there is death of a portion of the heart muscle;

• Myocarditis  – inflammation of the heart muscle;

• Mitral valve prolapse – is a condition in which the two valve flaps of the mitral valve don't close smoothly or evenly, but bulge (prolapse) upward into the left atrium;

• Pulmonary embolism – when a blood clot is present in the pulmonary arteries;

• Aortic dissection – when there is a tear in a major artery leaving the heart.

Other than heart problems, chest pain may also be caused by problems arising from the stomach, lungs, bone, muscle or nerves. Here are some things a chest pain could mean: 

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – when stomach contents flows back into the esophagus;

• Peptic ulcers – sores due to a break in the lining of the stomach;

• Oesophageal contraction disorders – spasms or high-pressure contractions in the esophagus ;

• Gallstone disorders.

How to tell: Common symptoms that accompany chest pain related to stomach issues include vomiting, stomach bloatedness or discomfort and a burning feeling arising in the stomach that radiates up the chest with a sour taste in the mouth.

• Pneumonia – a lung infection;

• Pneumothorax – occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall (pleural space), causing the lung to collapse;

• Pulmonary hypertension – where there is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.

How to tell: Common symptoms that accompany chest pain related to lung issues include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and pain that worsens when taking a deep breath or coughing.

• Rib  fractures;

• Muscle and tendon injuries.

How to tell: Common symptoms that accompany chest pain related to a musculoskeletal injury include focal chest pain which worsens with deep breathing or coughing.

Heart-related chest pain is typically located in the central part of the chest just above the stomach. It usually feels like a squeezing or strangling sensation. It is often difficult to pinpoint the pain to one specific location, and the pain tends to radiate to the neck, jaw and left arm. In certain instances, it can radiate to the back.

The pain is usually aggravated by exertion, heavy meals and cold weather, while it tends to ease with rest. In some cases, especially in women, it can also come with symptoms like giddiness, tiredness, shoulder aches, nausea and vomiting.

When in doubt, always consult your family doctor or cardiologist.