Chest pain is one of the most common reasons that people make a visit to the emergency room. Chest pain is not generalized; there are different factors that contribute to chest pain so that a more finite root can be found. These factors include intensity, location, quality, and duration. The pain can vary from a dull ache to a very sharp stabbing pain. Some of the causes can be very minor and not something to worry about; however, some forms of chest pain can be a sign of a serious heart-related issue. Below we will take a look at some of the different causes of chest pain and methods of relieving it, as featured in an article on Healthline.
When someone is experiencing chest pain, the first cause they think of is a potential heart attack. While this does occur, there are other conditions that can lead to chest pain that are less serious. According to the National Center for Health Studies, only about 13% of chest-pain related emergency room visits end in a diagnosis for a serious heart-related issue. If your heart is the cause of chest pain, this can be due to issues such as cardiomyopathy, angina, aortic dissection, pericarditis, and more. Gastrointestinal issues such as gallstones, acid reflux, and swallowing problems can also lead to chest pain.
If there is an issue regarding your lungs, you can experience chest pain due to bronchospasms, pneumonia, pulmonary embolus, viral bronchitis, blood clots, and pneumothorax. These are often experienced by people who have conditions such as asthma. Muscles and bones can also contribute to chest pains. This is caused by broken or bruised ribs, compression fractures, and sore muscles from exertion. Other causes are linked to panic attacks and even shingles.
Chest pain can be treated by various methods such as surgery, medication, and noninvasive procedures. The treatment depends on the longevity, category, and severity of the pain. If your pain is related to a heart condition, treatments include multiple different medications, cardiac catheterization, or repairing the arteries surgically. Other causes for chest pain are treated by using antacids, anti-anxiety medication, and re-inflating a collapsed lung.