Chest Pain
What is Chest Pain?
Chest pain refers to discomfort or pain that occurs in the chest area, typically behind the sternum (breastbone). It can vary widely in intensity, duration, and type, ranging from a dull ache or pressure to sharp, stabbing sensations. Chest pain can result from a variety of causes, including heart-related issues such as angina, heart attack, or pericarditis, as well as non-cardiac conditions like musculoskeletal problems, gastrointestinal reflux, or lung issues such as pneumonia or pulmonary embolism. Given its potential association with serious medical conditions, chest pain often warrants prompt medical evaluation to determine its cause and appropriate management.
What Are The Causes of Chest Pain?
There are many cardiovascular and noncardiovascular causes of chest pain. A heart attack (myocardial infarction) is one of the most serious reasons why you may experience chest pain, but it can also point to other cardiac conditions including:
- Aortic dissection: A condition in which a tear forms in the walls of the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body
- Pericarditis: Swelling or inflammation of the tissue which surrounds the heart
- Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle itself
- Tamponade: This occurs when the space surrounding the heart becomes filled with fluid, placing added pressure on the heart
- Arrhythmia: One of a number of different issues which cause a heartbeat that is unusually fast, slow, or irregular
- Valvular disease: Heart disease which is caused by damage or weakening of one or more of the heart valves
