Chest discomfort can occur spontaneously and indicate a violation in one or more body systems. Among medical professionals, chest soreness is called thoracalgia. Against the background of this condition, difficulty breathing, as well as limitation of motor function. Acute pain can indicate the development of a heart attack, so it is very important to seek help in a timely manner.
Sharp pain in the sternum is a characteristic symptom of many diseases. In this case, the pain syndrome can indicate both the beginning of the pathological process, and the exacerbation of an existing disease.
Pain localization
An important point in the differential diagnosis of chest discomfort is to determine the localization of pain. In this area, pain can occur on the right, on the left, as well as in the central part, between the shoulder blades or under them. The chest area is filled with blood vessels and nerve endings, so pain can radiate to many other parts of the body. Thoracalgia can be manifested by pulling sensations simultaneously in the chest and one of the hands. The common belief that manifestations of discomfort in the chest on the left is a sign of heart disease is erroneous. Not always such pain speaks about problems of the cardiovascular system, it can be neuralgia.
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels: causes and symptoms
Chest discomfort can certainly indicate a heart problem. The main pathologies of the cardiovascular system that can provoke the appearance of pain are several groups of diseases.
1. Cardiac ischemia of the angina type. The pain is sharp, burning, constricting and pressing. The severity of pain can persist from a quarter of a minute to a quarter of an hour. Localized discomfort in the chest on the left or behind it, pain can be given to the left arm, shoulder blades, neck, epigastrium. Against the background of ordinary angina, pain spreads to the lower jaw and teeth. Symptom manifests itself after exercise of any intensity. It can be a sport, climbing stairs, carrying heavy loads, brisk walking. A characteristic feature of the stage of progression of pathology is that for a new attack requires less and less load. The most effective way to stop an attack of angina pectoris is with Nitroglycerin. It will ease tension, minimize pain that has arisen, and also help relieve discomfort in the left chest.
2. Myocardial infarction. Soreness affects the area behind the sternum. The attack lasts, as a rule, up to 15 minutes, but can last up to several hours. Discomfort in the left chest is characterized by burning, compressing, squeezing and bursting sensations inside. Myocardial infarction can develop both after exercise, and in a state of calm. Attacks can be observed often and localized in the shoulder blades, back, neck and arms. The characteristic signs of a heart attack are nausea and vomiting, hyperhidrosis, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, a feeling of fear and anxiety. "Nitroglycerin" in this case will be powerless.
3. Myocardial dystrophy and pericarditis. In this case, in addition to pain, fever, palpitations, shortness of breath and drowsiness are manifested. Pain is described as stitching, cutting, appearing in the area behind the sternum. Pain can radiate to the shoulders, neck, epigastrium, back and shoulders. To reduce the intensity of the manifestation of pain will help a sitting position with a slight tilt of the body forward. You can stop discomfort in the chest with the help of non-narcotic analgesics.
4. An aortic aneurysm of an exfoliating type. The pain resembles a heart attack, but the intensity is much greater. Localized pain in the area behind the sternum and is given to the lower abdomen, spine and limbs. The causes of the development of the disease are emotional overload, excessive physical activity of the body, as well as a sharp drop in blood pressure. The pain is rolling and aching in nature, is paroxysmal, and can last up to several days. The accompanying symptoms of aneurysm are an asymmetric pulse, palpable on the carotid or radial arteries. Pressure with this pathology is prone to drops, while indicators on different hands may vary. Pain does not always stop after a single injection of anesthetics. However, the causes of chest discomfort may be different.
5. Thromboembolism in the arteries of the lungs. It manifests itself as severe pain in the central part of the chest, but in some cases it is localized in the right or left region. The duration of the attack is at least 15 minutes and can reach up to several hours. Thromboembolism is accompanied by a decrease in pressure, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness. It arises as a complication after surgery in the deep veins. It is possible to eliminate the pain syndrome only with narcotic analgesics.
In addition to all of the above, a typical disease of the digestive system can also become a prerequisite for pain and discomfort in the chest.
Digestive diseases
Some pathologies of the esophagus can be manifested by pain in the chest area. So, the most common of them are malignant tumors, ulceration, gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis, etc. All of these pathologies are localized in the esophagus and migrate to the sternum during ingestion and passage of food through the digestive tract.
In addition to the fact that at these moments there is a significant discomfort in the chest, the accompanying signs of diseases of the esophagus are:
- nausea and vomiting;
- belching;
- sensation of sour taste in the oral cavity;
- heartburn;
- burning in the epigastric zone.
Another disease that causes chest pain is a hernia in the diaphragmatic opening of the esophagus. In this case, the sensations resemble angina pectoris, pain can appear in the lower third of the chest, cavity or substrate. A characteristic feature of pain with a hernia of the esophagus is an increase in intensity with a sitting and lying position of the body, while when standing, the severity decreases or stops completely.
Respiratory system diseases
Discomfort in the right chest, as well as in the left, can occur against the background of trauma, pleurisy, pneumothorax, neoplasms and pulmonary infarction. The main signs of respiratory problems are:
- prolonged preservation of pain, increased intensity during breathing;
- development of shortness of breath, tachycardia, cyanosis and the appearance of cold sweat;
- decrease in pressure in the arteries, pallor of the skin;
- feeling of general weakness.
Against the background of pneumonia, sharp pain can occur, turning into a collapse and accompanied by symptoms of intoxication. The main danger of this condition is lung abscess. Localization of pain can be both in the central part of the chest, so on the right and left. In this case, negative side effects can be observed in the form of chills, fever, high temperature. If chest pain occurs against a background of prolonged colds, fever and intense cough, an ambulance should be called immediately.
Diseases of the vertebral structures
Most often, chest pain can be a sign of displacement of the discs in the thoracic spine, and also indicate osteochondrosis or thoracic radiculitis. Characteristic features of vertebral pathologies are:
- compressive, acute, burning, prolonged and actively manifested pain in the sternum;
- gradual displacement of pain in the cervical and lumbar;
- the intensity of the pain syndrome, increasing with raising arms, wearing heavy objects, movements, inclinations, as well as in a static position of the body;
- increased pain with a deep breath, palpation and tilting of the head;
- the clinical picture is identified with the symptoms of ischemia;
- pain is relieved by painkillers and mustard plasters;
- against the background of pain, numbness of the limbs, headache and dizziness occur;
- there is rapid fatigue and drowsiness in the daytime.
Vertebral diseases can have a number of serious consequences and complications, therefore, the described signs should be given special attention.
Chest pain in women
One of the most common diseases accompanied by chest discomfort in a woman is mastopathy. This pathology is provoked by a violation of the ratio of epithelial and connective tissues, which leads to the formation of cystic-fibrous focal lesions. Against the background of mastopathy, there is a violation of blood circulation in the vessels of the mammary glands, milk lobules are deformed and nerve receptors and ducts are squeezed. All this leads to stagnation and exudation of fluids from the ducts. Compression of nerve endings contributes to the activation of pain. Treatment of mastopathy occurs with the use of special drugs. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the lesions in the mammary glands.
In addition to mastopathy, chest pain and discomfort in a woman in the area of the mammary glands in the last days of the menstrual cycle can indicate a pregnancy. As a rule, soreness in this case is accompanied by their swelling and spreads throughout the chest. The intensity of the pain increases in a supine position. If a woman discovers the above symptoms, but she is definitely not pregnant, she should immediately be examined for breast cancer.
Hazardous effects and possible consequences
It is quite difficult to determine the potential danger of discomfort in the chest and arm. The degree of risk depends on the cause of the pain. So, when it comes to diseases of the cardiovascular system, it is necessary to take emergency measures, since delay can be dangerous to human life. Such pathologies can cause thrombosis, stroke, thromboembolism and other, even more serious pathologies.
Anomalies in the functioning of the digestive system and respiratory system without proper attention can go into a chronic form, leading to complications, including the appearance of malignant tumors and death. Problems with the spine can cause loss of motor functions, as well as muscle atrophy.
If the following symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately:
- a feeling of freezing in the heart, its constriction and lack of air;
- intense shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness in the chest;
- pain passing to the left arm, back and teeth;
- nausea and vomiting;
- severe dizziness, rapid breathing and pulse;
- difficulty swallowing, high body temperature;
- blood pressure differences;
- the occurrence of pain in the chest when at rest;
- constant and prolonged intensity of pain.
Ignoring the described symptoms can be fatal.
Only a qualified specialist doctor can answer the question of why chest discomfort occurred at all and what it may indicate.
Pathology diagnostics
The nature of the manifestation of pain in the chest with many diseases does not differ, therefore, an important stage is the differential diagnosis. The examination should include a lot of different diagnostic measures.
1. History taking. The specialist asks the patient to describe the nature of the pain, its intensity and duration, as well as related symptoms, if any. In addition, a survey is conducted on existing chronic diseases.
2. Listening and beating of the heart, change in pressure in the arteries, pulse.
3. Electrocardiogram. If this study shows a pathology of the heart, the patient is referred for angiography, echocardiography and a coagulogram. All these methods allow you to assess the condition of the heart and blood vessels. In addition, monitoring of cholesterol levels in the blood throughout the day.
4. X-ray examination of the chest area.
5. Ultrasound examination of the digestive system and other systems.
6. The study of blood and urine.
In addition, computed and magnetic resonance imaging can be assigned to clarify the diagnosis.
Treatment for chest discomfort
The specialist chooses therapeutic methods, depending on the diagnosis. In some cases, it is necessary to take drugs from the group of anticoagulants, vasodilator or pain medication, etc. Depending on the cause of the appearance of chest pain, certain groups of drugs are prescribed.
- For the treatment of cardiovascular pathologies - antiarrhythmic drugs, beta-blockers, statins, ACE inhibitors, nitrates, anticoagulants.
- For the treatment of vertebral problems - chondroprotectors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- In case of pain of a high degree of intensity, narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics can be prescribed.
- The digestive system is treated with antacids and antispasmodics.
- For lung diseases, antibiotics, carbapenems, macrolides, etc. are prescribed.
Pathology Prevention
To prevent the occurrence of chest pain, regardless of the cause, abstinence from bad habits and observance of preventive behavioral standards, including a healthy lifestyle, moderate exercise, balanced nutrition, stress avoidance, and timely access to a specialist will help.
If there is a feeling of discomfort in the chest, it is best to immediately contact a therapist, who, if necessary, will refer the patient to a specialist. Trying to relieve chest pain on your own is not recommended, as this can complicate the diagnosis.