The air gets there either from the lungs or, following chest wall injury, from outside the body.Ī pneumothorax typically causes sudden, sharp, stabbing chest pain on one side. PneumothoraxĪ pneumothorax is air that is trapped between a lung and the chest wall. See the separate leaflet called Pulmonary Embolism for more details on this medical emergency.
Other symptoms include coughing up blood (haemoptysis), mild fever and rapid heart rate. A PE usually causes sharp chest pain felt when breathing in (pleuritic chest pain). Pulmonary embolism (PE)Ī PE occurs when there is a blockage in one of the artery blood vessels in the lungs - usually due to a blood clot (thrombus) which formed in another part of the circulation. Less common but more serious causes of pleuritic pain include pneumonia, or a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism - see below) or a collapsed lung (pneumothorax - see below). This is a sharp, stabbing chest pain, typically made worse by breathing in or by coughing. Pleurisy is due to inflammation of the pleura, a thin membrane with two layers - one which lines the inside of the muscle and ribs of the chest wall, the other which surrounds the lungs. Investigations show that the coronary arteries are normal with no narrowing. Da Costa's syndrome may be more common in people who have recently had relatives or friends diagnosed with heart problems, or in people who themselves have recently had a heart attack. Chest pain due to anxiety is known as Da Costa's syndrome. In some people, the chest pain can be so severe that it is mistaken for angina. AnxietyĪnxiety is quite a common cause of chest pain. The chest pain is usually worse on movement and on breathing in. For example, a strained chest wall muscle may sometimes develop after heavy lifting, stretching, sudden movement or lengthy (prolonged) coughing. If a muscle is strained, there has been stretching or tearing of muscle fibres, often because the muscle has been stretched beyond its limits. These muscles can sometimes be strained and can lead to chest pain in that area. There are various muscles that run around and between the ribs to help the rib cage to move during breathing. This is typically a sharp, stabbing chest pain and is worse with movement, exertion and deep breathing. In costochondritis, there is inflammation in one or more of these joints.Ĭostochondritis causes chest pain, felt at the front of the chest. Softer, more flexible cartilage attaches the ribs to the breastbone (sternum) and the sternum to the collar bones (clavicles) at joints. The rib cage is a bony structure that protects the lungs. To find out more about the symptoms and treatments, see the separate leaflet called Acid Reflux and Oesophagitis (Heartburn). Severe chest pain can develop in some cases and can be mistaken for a heart attack. Heartburn - usually a burning in the lower chest and upper abdomen - is the main symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
This is a general term which describes a range of situations including acid reflux and oesophagitis (inflammation of the lining of the oesophagus, or gullet). To find out more about the symptoms and treatments for a heart attack, see the separate leaflet called Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction). Unless the blockage is quickly removed, this part of the heart muscle is at risk of dying. The most common symptom of a heart attack is severe chest pain at rest. This cuts off the blood supply to part of the heart muscle completely. Heart attackĭuring a heart attack (myocardial infarction), a coronary artery or one of its smaller branches is suddenly blocked. The chest pain caused by angina may feel like an ache, discomfort or tightness across the front of your chest.Īngina pain can also occur with coronary artery spasm or cardiac syndrome X. However, when you exercise, your heart muscle needs more blood and oxygen, and if the blood cannot get past the narrowed coronary arteries, your heart responds with pain. In the early stages, blood supply may be adequate when you are resting. It is usually caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. Angina is a pain that comes from the heart.
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