Chest pain is one of the most common types of discomfort one can experience. This is because it can be caused by a number of health problems, including digestive issues, heart diseases, and lung conditions. It is extremely important to know exactly what is causing your chest pain so as to receive timely and suitable treatment. Sometimes, brushing off this one symptom or failing to determine its exact cause can even prove life-threatening.
Therefore, the OnlyMyHealth team got in touch with Dr Virbhan Balai, Consultant—Interventional Cardiology, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, New Delhi, to distinguish between different causes of chest pain and how each condition can be managed effectively.
Indigestion Or Heart Problem: What’s Causing Chest Pain?
Both digestive issues and heart conditions can cause chest pain, which is why some people may confuse one for the other.
While heart-related chest pain is usually felt in the central chest, has a squeezing sensation, and may radiate to the left arm, neck, back, or jaw, indigestion-related pain is usually localised to the upper abdomen without any radiation, Dr Balai distinguished.
He added that heart conditions are often associated with excessive sweating or nausea that typically increases with exertion and can be relieved by taking rest or a nitroglycerine tablet. On the other hand, indigestion can be associated with belching and nausea that tends to worsen after consuming spicy meals and often is relieved by taking antacids.
Can Lung Conditions Cause Chest Pain?
According to Dr Balai, lung infections like pneumonia and pleurisy can also cause chest pain. These conditions lead to inflammation of lung tissue and accumulation of fluid in alveoli (small lung sacs), which can result in coughing and chest pain.
Pneumonia and other viral and bacterial infections cause lung tissue consolidation and inflammation of lung parenchyma. The patient may experience chest pain while coughing or taking deep breaths due to friction between the two membranes overlying the lungs.
Pleurisy-related chest pain is usually sharp and stabbing in nature, occurring after fever or any other viral or bacterial infections. The pain usually worsens with coughing, deep breathing, or with movements and can sometimes be relieved by sitting or leaning forward.
How To Know If Your Chest Pain Is A Panic Or Anxiety Attack?
Some people who experience anxiety and panic attacks can also experience heart-related chest pain. However, with a meticulous history, physical examination, and other relevant investigations, clinicians can often distinguish between anxiety or panic attacks and heart-related pain.
According to a 2002 study published in The Primary Care Companion to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, chest pain is a common symptom of panic attacks, with prevalence ranging between 22% and just over 70%. Likewise, between 18% and 25% of all patients who present to emergency departments with chest pain have panic disorders, researchers noted.
Panic attacks and anxiety-related chest pain are often accompanied by a sense of doom, trembling, and a lack of underlying risk factors for heart disease.
Also Read: How Can Having Acidic Burps Late At Night Impact Your Sleep? Ayurvedic Doctor Shares Tips For Relief
When To Seek Medical Attention?
Dr Balai said, “Chest pain should be considered a medical emergency when it is severe and crushing, often associated with persistent chest heaviness as if someone has placed a heavy weight on the chest. Pain radiating to the left arm, neck, or jaw is usually cardiac in nature and should not be ignored, especially when it is associated with excessive sweating, shortness of breath, or fainting episodes. This type of chest pain becomes even more concerning in individuals with underlying risk factors like diabetes, blood pressure, smoking, or obesity.”
The treatment often depends on the underlying cause of the chest pain, like whether the pain is cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, or musculoskeletal in nature, which can often be determined based on the history of the patient and systemic examinations. These include:
- Cardiac-related chest pain can often be diagnosed with the help of an ECG, echocardiogram, treadmill test, or blood tests like troponin I or troponin T. Some patients may also require coronary angiography for further assessment.
- Lung-related chest pain can be diagnosed with the help of a chest X-ray, a CT scan of the chest, or blood tests like D-dimer.
- Gastrointestinal-related chest pain generally requires an endoscopy.
- Similarly, musculoskeletal-related chest pain requires a chest X-ray, CT scan, or MRI of the affected part.
Conclusion
Chest pain is mostly harmless. But it should be taken seriously when the underlying cause is suspected to be serious. While indigestion-related pain and discomfort can be relieved by tweaking the diet and taking necessary medications, heart-associated chest pain may need more thorough examination. Similarly, if your lung is causing a problem, it is advisable to consult a pulmonary specialist to understand the reason. People should also identify signs of panic and anxiety attacks, which include chest pain and pressure.
Remember, whenever you experience pain and discomfort, your body is sending signals to take necessary action. Regardless of the severity, it is always beneficial to understand the cause and assess your overall health status.