Chest Pain Causes

Chest pain is one of the most common reasons people seek emergency help at a hospital. The majority of these people seeking emergency help are concerned that they may be having a hear attack. While mild, to extreme chest pain, is one of the common symptoms of a heart attack, there are many other common reasons that can be atrributed to chest pain, even extreme chest pain can. Even a minor injury to the some parts of your body can leave you stricken with extreme chest pain.

 Through simple testing your doctor will be able to eliminate some of the possibilities. Once the doctor decides that your chest pain is stress induced he will then attempt to identify the cause or causes so that they may be addressed as well. It is possible that your chest pain is being caused by an anxiety disorder rather than the stress that you are dealing with.

 Location of the chest pain is a good indicator of whether you are having a heart attack or anxiety attack. Chest pain from anxiety is located over the heart and is described as "sharp." It increases with breathing in and out, and doesn't usually last more than a few minutes. Applying pressure to the chest also makes the pain worsen. In heart attack, chest pain is located in the center of the chest, and usually endures for longer than 10 minutes. It is not affected by pressing on the chest and breathing is usually normal unless fear of heart attack or dying triggers a panic attack, causing hyperventilation.

 Chest pain caused by heart burn is often accompanied by gas. If it is a heart burn symptom and not a symptom of something else, then a product that relieves the gas will relieve the chest pain. Chest pain caused by heart burn generally originates at the top of the stomach or the burning sensation may be higher up in the throat.

The burning sensation is a heart burn symptom and sometimes causes a feeling of nausea. But, chest pain that is accompanied by nausea without the burning sensation is more serious. The burning sensation is the heart burn sign. Any other chest pain should be evaluated by a physician.

 Sometimes, one can have both acid reflux heartburn and heart disease issues both at the same time. Some people with coronary artery disease may develop chest pain from their acid reflux, which is believed that the acid in the esophagus may provoke nerves that temporarily impair blood flow to the heart, hence causing chest pain. This however, is probably not a heart attack.

That is why it is important, especially for people with heart problems, to have their chest pain checked immediately by a doctor to determine the cause of the pain.

 Angina pectoris: Chest pains may indicate blocked arteries. Do you get the chest pains when you engage in physical activities, try to handle emotional stress, or endure extreme temperatures? Do the chest pains feel like pressure under the breastbone? If so, ask your doctor to check for angina.

 Costochondritis: This cause of chest pains is really an inflammation of the joints in your chest. Inflammation where ribs and breastbone connect may cause chest pain along the edges of your breastbone. Your pain may get worse when you cough or take a deep breath. An anti-inflammatory medicine or heat may relieve the pain. This problem usually goes away on its own. Ask your doctor about it.