Five Causes of Chest Pain
Would you be surprised to learn that not only is heart attack not the only cause of chest pain, but that most heart attacks do not cause any chest pain at all? Or that there are other causes of chest pain that are equally serious. Here are five causes of chest pain that you may not have heard of, but which you should never ignore.1. Heartburn
Heartburn is named for the acid, stinging, burning sensation coming up from the stomach that seems to hang around the heart. Heartburn, also known as esophageal reflux disease, results when stomach acid gurgles upward through the esophagus and throat even into the mouth after eating a heavy meal.How can you tell the difference between heartburn and a heart attack? It's simple. Heartburn is relieved when you sit up. A heart attack is not. If your chest pain is a burning pain and it occurs after eating, chances are it is heartburn - not an emergency condition - rather than heart attack.
2. Angina
Angina is the pain caused when the heart does not get enough oxygen. If you have ever worked out so hard that your muscles "burned," you know the feeling of angina, only this "burn" can be accompanied by intense, sharp, crushing pain.The pain of stable angina usually starts during exercise and goes away during rest. The pain of unstable angina, a more serious condition, may occur at any time, even during rest. There is also a form of the disease known as Prinzmetal's angina that is a little like a migraine that occurs in your chest. Angina pain is always a reason to seek medical attention.
3. Aortic Dissection
An aortic dissection is a tearing of the three-layer lining of the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body, in the middle of your chest. The tear in the lining of the artery, or the tear between the artery and the muscles surrounding it, can cause blood to form a "balloon" in your chest. As long as the area of the tear is relatively small, doctors may try to manage it with medication to control high blood pressure. If it is relatively large, surgery may be required.An aortic dissection may present with no symptoms at all. Or it can cause chest pain, combined with cold feet, cold hands, joint pain, flu-like symptoms, and vision problems. The combination of chest pain and cold feet or cold hands is a reason to see your doctor.
4. Hiatal Hernia
More common in older men and in athletes of both sexes, a hiatal hernia causes part of the stomach to slip up into the chest. This condition can cause heartburn, and intense pressure inside the chest after eating.5. Sore Muscles and Pinched Nerves
Fibromyalgia, which causes chronically sore muscles all over the body, is also a cause of chest pain. Pinched nerves in the back can cause chest pain, too.Chest pain usually has nothing to do with your heart. It can herald a serious condition, or a minor health problem. Only a medical diagnosis can tell you for sure.
