4 Causes Of Chest Pain That Are Not Related To Your Heart

Chest pain is one of the most common signs of heart problems; however, pain in your chest does not always mean you have a serious condition involving your heart. There are many things that can cause chest pain, and a lot of these conditions have nothing to do with your heart. If you are having chest pain, it's always a good idea to visit a doctor to find out what is causing it. Here are four different health issues, not related to the heart, that can cause chest pain.

Lung Problems

A problem with your lungs might be the cause of the pain you are feeling in your chest. Lung pain can be a serious issue, but it may also be treatable too. Pneumonia is one type of lung problem that can lead to a lot of pain in the chest area. Doctors will typically treat this with antibiotics; however, you may need to be hospitalized if the condition is severe.

Another lung problem that causes pain is pulmonary embolus, which refers to a blood clot in one of the pulmonary arteries. This condition can be slightly harder to diagnose than pneumonia and can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated properly.

Back Problems

If you have back problems of any kind that are causing pain, the pain might spread to your chest. This type of pain can resemble pain felt with heart attacks and heart disease, but it is typically nothing to be concerned about. If your chest pain is from back problems you have, you may have a lot of pain in your rib cage, and you may notice the pain worsens when you cough, sneeze, or laugh.

In some cases, pain in your chest could simply be the result of a pulled or overused muscle. If this is truly the cause of the pain you are having, you might be able to find relief by performing stretching exercises or going to a chiropractor for an adjustment.

Stress

A third cause of chest pain is from stress. If you are going through a stressful time in your life, your body's way of coping might lead you to pain in many areas of your body, including your chest. This type of pain can feel sharp and shooting, and it can also leave you feeling spasms in your chest. There are a variety of other symptoms you might also experience if stress is the cause of your pain.

The best thing you can do for yourself if you are in a stressful time is to find good ways to cope with the problems you are struggling with. This may involve taking up meditation or visiting a counselor. You could also go to your doctor to ask for medication to help you get by.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

One of the most common causes of chest pain, not related to the heart, is gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD. GERD is better known as heartburn, and it can cause a great deal of pain in your chest and throat. The pain you feel from GERD can feel like heart pain, because the pain you are feeling stems from your esophagus, which is located right by your heart.

If you have heartburn of any kind, you should seek help from a doctor. Doctors can prescribe several different things to help you with this, including taking antacid tablets daily.

If you suddenly start experiencing chest pain, it might be caused by one of the conditions listed here. To be safe, always visit a clinic like Alpert Zales & Castro Pediatric Cardiology or an emergency room if you are not sure what is causing the pain you are feeling.