When you feel a sharp twinge or a heavy pressure in your chest, your mind almost instinctively jumps to the most frightening conclusion: a heart attack. It is a natural survival response.
A significant percentage of emergency room visits for chest pain are actually diagnosed as Non-Cardiac Chest Pain (NCCP). While any chest discomfort should be taken seriously, understanding that the heart isn't the only organ in your thorax can provide much-needed clarity.
We often don’t realise that a large number of chest pain cases are not related to the heart at all. Here, we will explore the 9 common causes of chest pain that are not heart-related.
1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Starting off strong, we have GERD, which is perhaps the most frequent "impersonator" of heart-related pain. It is more commonly known as chronic acid reflux and occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter fails to close properly. This, in turn, causes the stomach acid to backwash into the esophagus, causing the burning sensation.
Since the esophagus is anatomically right behind the heart, the burning sensation is titled “heartburn”, making it feel similar to heart pain or angina.
You will often find the pain becoming more intense after you have had your meals or while bending over. The main distinguishing factor that sets GERD from cardiac pain is that GERD-related discomfort is often accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth and may be relieved by antacids.
However, you have to keep into consideration that chronic GERD can cause esophageal scarring, which explains why seeing a doctor is essential.
2. Inflammation of the Chest Wall
Medically known as Costochondritis, the condition causes an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone.
There are numerous factors that could trigger the inflammation, including:
- Respiratory infection
- Physical trauma
- Strenuous activity
The most common symptom of this condition is experiencing “localised tenderness” where you might feel discomfort in a specific part of your chest. While the condition is usually harmless, consistently experiencing sharp and stabbing pain can be quite distressing and uncomfortable.
3. Lung Infections or Pneumonia
Chest pain that is caused by lung infections, especially due to conditions like bronchitis or pneumonia, is often overlooked or not taken seriously until it starts hindering with the normal breathing experience.
The pain caused by these infections tend to worsen when you take:
- Deep breaths
- Cough
- Sneeze
Experiencing pain like that is labelled as pleuritic chest pain. Infections usually cause inflammation of the lung tissue, causing sharp and stabbing pain, either on one side or both sides of the chest. Beyond the pain, you might experience:
- Fever and chills
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Production of phlegm
Older people usually experience chest pain as the first symptom of lung infections even before a fever or cough develops. For prevention and to ensure that the condition doesn’t get worse, our specialists at Jindal Chest Clinic emphasise on early interventions.
4. Pneumothorax or Collapsed Lung
A pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between your lung and chest wall. This air pushes on the outside of the lung and makes it collapse.
If you have a collapsed lung, it is quite common to experience a sudden, sharp pain, one that is localised to one side of the chest. Beyond the pain, you are also likely to experience a significant shortness of breath and a drop in oxygen levels.
A small percentage of pneumothorax cases resolve on its own. However, the majority of the cases are severe and require immediate hospitalisation for drainage and further care. So, if you experience a sudden onset of "one-sided" chest pain followed by difficulty breathing, a pulmonary consultation is vital to prevent further complications.
5. Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety-related chest pain is surprisingly common and can be deeply distressing. Panic attacks can produce intense chest tightness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and sweating, all of which closely resemble a heart attack.
The chest pain that many people experience due to their anxiety is usually caused by muscle tension, hyperventilation, and increased sensitivity to bodily sensations. Many describe it as a “feeling of impending doom” or a lot like they are dying.
Unlike cardiac pain, anxiety-related chest pain may:
- Occur at rest rather than exertion
- Improve with reassurance or relaxation
- Come and go unpredictably
One thing we have to emphasise on is that anxiety should only be considered after serious physical causes have been ruled out. If the condition is formally diagnosed, the treatment will focus on stress management, counseling, breathing techniques, and sometimes medication.
6. Blood Clot in the Lungs
Pulmonary embolism or having an active blood clot in the lungs is another common cause behind chest pain. It is a serious and often life-threatening condition, one that requires immediate medical intervention before the situation gets worse.
If not treated on time, there are high chances that the blood clot might travel to the lungs, blocking the blood flow.
If you have a blood clot in the lungs, the chest pain is usually sharp and sudden, worsening with deep breathing. Some of the other associated symptoms may include:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
- Coughing up blood
- Lightheadedness
Some of the common risk factors that could cause pulmonary embolism include prolonged immobility, recent surgery, smoking, obesity, and certain medical conditions. Our specialists at Jindal Chest Clinic are trained to recognise subtle signs early and initiate urgent investigation and treatment.
7. Asthma and Chronic Respiratory Conditions
Asthma and other chronic lung conditions can cause chest tightness that patients often mistake for heart pain. The sensation is usually described as pressure or heaviness rather than sharp pain.
When a patient experiences an asthma flare-up, it causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it quite difficult to breathe. Experiencing chest discomfort is also quite common in such cases, alongside other symptoms like:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing, especially at night or early morning
If your asthma isn’t controlled and well-managed, it is bound to affect your quality of life and even your sleep quality.
8. Muscle Strain or Injury
Simple muscle strain from exercise, lifting, or even prolonged coughing can cause chest pain that feels alarming.
If you are experiencing chest pain that’s localised and worsens with movement, stretching or pressing on the affected muscle, it is a sign of muscle strain or an injury that requires rest.
Muscle-related chest pain is generally harmless but can persist if not addressed. The best way to treat and manage the symptoms is with rest, pain management and corrective exercises to ensure recovery in no time at all.
9. Shingles
One of the most overlooked causes behind chest pain that’s not heart-related is due to Shingles or Herpes Zoster.
The condition can cause intense chest pain even before the characteristic rash appears. A lot of the times, the pain is often burning, tingling, or stabbing and follows a nerve pathway on one side of the chest.
Since the rash usually develops a few days after the pain starts, a lot of the patients worry that they might have heart or lung-related complications, which could be causing the chest pain. However, once the rash emerges, the diagnosis becomes clear as a day.
The earlier you start medications for the condition, the better it is to manage the symptoms and ensure they don’t keep getting worse.
Chest Pain Should Never Be Ignored!
While it is reassuring to know that many causes of chest pain are not life-threatening heart attacks, you should never attempt to self-diagnose. Many pulmonary conditions, such as pulmonary embolism or a collapsed lung, are just as critical as cardiac events and require the expertise of a specialist.
At Jindal Chest Clinic, we are dedicated to providing world-class respiratory care, offering state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities including Spirometry, EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound), and Sleep Studies to get to the root of your symptoms.
If you are experiencing persistent chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or a chronic cough, it is time to seek an expert opinion. Don't live in the shadow of "what if."
Schedule your consultation today!
