Chest pain is extremely common and can occur due to various factors. It can either be associated with a respiratory issue or can be a result of a heart condition. In both cases, seeking medical attention is key.
In some people, chest pain can be more specific, with discomfort arising only when you take deep breaths. When the pain is persistent, it can cause significant health concern, again demanding a doctor's guidance. However, it is important to not panic and consider all the possible causes.
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Possible Causes Of Chest Pain While Taking Deep Breaths
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Govind Desai, Interventional Pulmonologist, HCG Suchirayu Hospital, Hubli, listed some of the common causes of chest pain, particularly when taking deep breaths. These include:
Pleuritis (pleurisy): An inflammation of the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity, which can lead to symptoms such as sharp chest pain, often worsening with breathing, coughing, or sneezing, along with possible shortness of breath.
Pleural effusion: An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, the area between the lungs and the chest wall, often linked to heart failure, pneumonia, liver disease, or cancer.
Pneumonia: A lung infection that inflames the air sacs (alveoli) in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or pus. It is typically caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Pneumothorax: A collapsed lung that occurs when air leaks into the pleural space, creating pressure on the lung and causing it to collapse. The condition can result from trauma, lung diseases, or occur spontaneously (without an obvious cause).
Pyothorax (empyema): A collection of pus in the pleural cavity, usually due to infection.
Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium, the sac-like structure surrounding the heart, which can cause sharp, stabbing chest pain, typically worsening when lying down or taking deep breaths, along with fever and fatigue.
In certain cases, chest pain can also occur due to involvement of nerves or muscle fibres and sometimes due to irritation of membranes around the lungs called pleural, Dr Desai added.
Difference Between Benign And Serious Chest Pain
According to Dr Desai, a simple way to distinguish between benign and serious chest pain is to check the duration of the discomfort.
He said, "If the chest pain is continuous and increases on exertion or even presents at nighttime, it needs to be evaluated for serious causes."
Benign chest pain can feel like squeezing or tightness in the chest, or like pressure or heaviness, and can be caused by a muscle strain, heartburn, or bronchitis.
Serious chest pain usually requires immediate medical attention and can be a sign of a heart attack. Symptoms include sudden, crushing chest pain, pain that radiates into the jaw or the left arm, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting, sweating or chills, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, and pain in the back, jaw, neck, upper abdomen, arm, or shoulder.
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How To Relieve Chest Pain
Dr Desai shared that Over-the-Counter (OTC) painkillers or analgesics can often provide effective relief, especially in cases of mild discomfort due to muscle strain or tension.
Additionally, simple stretching exercises may also help by relaxing tight muscles, improving flexibility, and reducing stiffness.
However, if the pain is persistent, recurrent, or worsening over time, it’s important to consult a medical professional. Frequent or persistent musculoskeletal pain can sometimes signal underlying issues, such as inflammation, injury, or chronic conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia, which may require more proper management.