Chest pain may come and go every few minutes or for several days. The cause could be related to the heart, muscles, digestive system, or psychological factors.
The underlying causes of pain may be mild, such as gastric reflux. Or they can be severe and indicate, for example, a heart attack. It is essential to recognize the warning signs and also pay attention to the symptoms that accompany them.
This article explores the possible causes of chest pain that comes and go. We also describe knowing when the pain is related to the heart and when to see a doctor.
Table of Contents
Is it a Sign Of Something Serious?
Chest pain that comes and goes may be due to a heart problem or breathing or digestive problems.
This intermittent pain may indicate a heart, respiratory system, or digestion problem. Also, in some persons, it occurs during panic attacks.
There is no way to exactly self-diagnose chest pain based on symptoms alone. See a doctor if chest pain continues, worsens, and also is accompanied by other signs.
A life-threatening emergency likely causes pain that takes weeks or months. There fore the problem is more likely to be with the muscles or skeletal structure.
Heart Problems are Less Likely To Basis Pain Than:
- last only a few moments
- relieved by taking medicine
- take off when you take a deep breath
- only affect a specific spot on the chest
- cleared when the chest area is massaged
Causes of Chest Pain that Arises and Goes
Several kinds of pain come and go. Even the pain of a heart attack can ease temporarily and then return.
To better recognize the cause of chest pain, pay attention to other symptoms and be aware of risk factors for medical conditions.
Here are the Common Causes of Chest Pain:
Gastrointestinal disorders
A variety of gastrointestinal problems can cause pain in the chest or close the ribs. For example:
- Acid reflux can cause a burning feeling in the chest.
- Gallstones can effect sudden, severe pain that lasts for several hours, goes away, and also comes back.
- Ulcers can cause pain that arises and goes.
Once gastric reflux, your chest pain tends to be more intense shortly after eating. Also, it can get worse after consuming alcohol or fatty foods.
If chest pain is suspected to be related to a stomach or liver problem, it is crucial to see a doctor. However, this kind of pain does not usually indicate an emergency.
Muscle pain
Muscle pain caused by strain, injury, or chronic syndrome is often the cause of chest pain.
The symptoms of muscle pain vary greatly. The pain could:
- be sharp or throbbing
- be stabbing or throbbing
- radiate outward or concentrate in one place
Chest pain is more likely to be muscle-related if:
- improves with massage
- worsens when a person inhales sharply and suddenly
- resembles other muscle pain the person has had
Panic attack
Practicing deep breathing exercises can help easiness a panic attack.
Chest pain can be a scary symptom of a panic attack, making a person feel even more anxious. The pain may resemble a heart attack. Some people with panic attacks feel like they are going to die.
These attacks usually disappear by practicing deep breathing. In some cases, they might only last a few minutes.
If the pain doesn’t go away, it can be difficult to distinguish a panic attack from a heart attack without the help of a doctor.
Respiratory infection
Respiratory infections can cause chest pain, mainly when they also cause frequent coughing.
After a respiratory infection, some people develop a condition called pleurisy. This condition is inflammation of the pleura, which is the tissue that surrounds the external of the lungs.
Get a doctor if chest or lung persists after a respiratory infection.
Angina
Angina is chest pain or anxiety when the heart doesn’t get enough blood. People with angina may feel tightness, pressure, or a tight feeling in the chest. The pain can also radiate to the jaw.
Angina pain is similar to a heart attack and a risk factor for the condition.
Angina is frequently a symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD) when arteries convert clogged. CHD is also a risk issue for a heart attack. Anyone who respondents they have this condition should see a doctor.
Heart attack
Sudden, severe chest pain can indicate a heart attack or cardiac arrest, which are the result of faulty electrical impulses or blockages that prevent blood from reaching the heart.
Warning signs of a heart attack include:
- pain in the center of the chest
- a feeling of overwhelming pressure in the chest
- pain that lasts more than a few minutes
- pain radiating to the shoulder, neck, arms, back, or jaw
- nausea, dizziness, or shortness of breath
Symptoms may differ by sex. Women are often more likely than men to experience nausea and dizziness, shortness of breath, and back or jaw pain, for example, and may not have the classic symptom of pain in the center of the chest.
A heart attack is a medical emergency. If a person doubts that he is having a seizure, or if he experiences any new and also unexplained chest pain, he should contact emergency services immediately.
People with cardiovascular risk factors, such as CHD, a history of heart attacks, obesity, or diabetes, are more likely to have heart attacks.
Lung problems
Lung problems, including infections and pneumonia, can cause chest pain and shortness of breath.
Lung disorders are severe. Anyone who suspects they have one should seek medical attention within 1 to 2 days. However, being unable to breathe or experiencing severe pain related to the lungs is considered a medical emergency.
Mastitis
This refers to an infection in the breast tissue. Mastitis can be intensely painful. It can cause swelling, throbbing or sharp pain in the breasts or chest, as well as fever.
Mastitis is common during lactation. The poison can go away on its own, although some people require antibiotics or hospitalization.
pulmonary embolism
A pulmonary embolism remains a blockage in a blood vessel leading to the lungs. An embolism occurs when a blood clot breaks loose, often from the legs. If somebody has a blood clot in his leg, he may experience pain in the area.
Pulmonary embolisms can cause severe pain and also shortness of breath. They are life-threatening medical emergencies.
Breastfeeding
This can cause pain in the chest and around the breasts. The following factors could be responsible:
- breast enlargement
- the letdown reflex
- mastitis
- listen to a baby cry
Some people experience sore breasts or nipples as the body adjusts in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. If the pain is minor and also comes and goes, it’s okay to wait for it to go away.
There fore Chat to a doctor if the pain is severe or lasts for several weeks.
How to Know If Chest Pain is Related to the Heart?
People with a history of heart disease may experience heart-related chest pain more often than others.
A doctor should evaluate chest pain. It is not always likely to self-diagnose the cause based on symptoms alone.
Chest Pain Is More Probable To Be Related To The Heart If A Person Has:
- cardiovascular risk factors
- a past of heart disease
- littleness of breath
- pain that doesn’t get better with medicine or massage
- pain that gets worse over time
Heart Problems are Unlikely to Cause Chest Pain If:
- improves with massage or analgesics
- feels similar to previous pain that was not related to the heart
- presents with symptoms of problems not associated with the heart
When Should You Get a Doctor?
A doctor should evaluate any chronic pain. If the pain retains coming back, see a doctor within a few days.
Chest pain that goes away may have been caused by a minor infection, a muscle spasm, or a similar problem.
Seek Emergency Medical Attention If The Pain:
- it’s intense and doesn’t go away
- gradually worsens
- is accompanied by dizziness, shortness of breath, or shortness of breath
- is accompanied by a feeling of pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest
- lasts more than a few minutes
Also Read: What Is Migraine? – Causes, Types, Symptoms, And More
