Causes of chest pain that are unrelated to the heart

If you experience pains in your chest, your first thought might be your heart. Well, it might interest you that just about 31% of chest pain cases are heart-related. And, even if it is related to the heart, it does not mean it is a heart attack.

There are a couple of organs sitting right under your chest cavity. A problem with any of these organs may lead to chest pain. At least 42 percent of people with chest pain may have a digestive symptom, and not necessarily the heart.

You’re better off asking yourself the last thing that happened before the chest pain started. For example, maybe you ate something wrong or have been stressed lately. This could help you determine the leading underlying cause.

Causes of chest pain that are not related to the heart include:

1. GERD

Chest pain due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is called noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). This name was given by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

According to the ACG, NCCP may be similar to the pain of angina. Angina is chest pain that comes from the heart.

Chest pain arising from GERD may affect the upper part of your body, but it is, in many cases, centered either behind your sternum or underneath it in a part of the chest called the epigastrium.

GERD patients may have temporary pain in the chest when coughing or taking a deep breath. This is the primary difference.

2. Gallbladder/bile sludge

Well, here, it is not necessarily gallstones. Instead, it usually involves the bile ducts — the tiny tubes that connect from the liver to the gallbladder and into the small intestine that also attach to the pancreatic ducts.

The bile flowing through the liver is supposed to drain into the small intestine. However, many times this bile thickens and develops a sludge.

There’s not a lot of data about this subject, even though it’s a common problem. The thickening of this bile creates a lot of pressure in the bile duct. That pressure is underneath your ribcage.

3. Costochondritis

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the rib cage’s cartilage. This condition usually affects the part of the cartilage where the upper ribs connect to the sternum or the breastbone. The connection occurs in the costosternal junction or the costoternal joint.

Chest pain due to costochondritis may be mild or severe. Mild pain causes chest tenderness or discomfort when you apply a push on the area.

More severe cases may worsen with specific movements and with deep breaths. Costochondritis often resolves within a few months or weeks, but some patients may require treatment.

4. Stress/panic attacks/broken heart syndrome

Stress, panic attacks, and broken heart syndrome often cause a sensation of pain in the chest.

Broken heart syndrome is a temporary condition that affects the heart, often caused by stressful situations. It may also be triggered by surgery or serious physical illness.

People with broken heart syndrome may experience sudden chest pain and think they have a heart attack. Not all parts of the heart are affected by broken heart syndrome.

The condition often disrupts the heart’s pumping function temporarily.

5. Pulmonary embolism

You may feel like you are going to have a heart attack. You’ll feel a sharp pain, especially when you take a deep breath.

This may stop you from being able to breathe in deeply. You can also feel the pain when you bend, cough, or stoop.

6. Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax may be caused by a penetrating or blunt injury to the chest, some medical procedures, or damage due to an underlying lung condition. Sometimes, it may occur for no apparent reason. However, chest pain and shortness of breath are common symptoms.

Other conditions not related to the heart that may cause chest pain include:

· Pericarditis

· Shingles

· Asthma

· Pneumonia

· Aortic dissection

7. Pericarditis

Pericarditis is another non-heart-related cause of chest pain. Pericarditis is the irritation and swelling of the pericardium. The pericardium is a thin tissue-like sac that surrounds the heart. Pericarditis causes sharp pain in the chest. The pain usually occurs when the layers of the pericardium rub on each other. Pericarditis is a mild condition and may resolve without treatment.

8. Asthma

In people with asthma, the immune system causes inflammation and swelling of the airways. This happens when you are around certain irritants. This can lead to chest pain, pressure, and tightness around the chest region. However, studies have shown that chest pain and other non-respiratory symptoms usually occur before or during an asthma attack.

Other conditions not related to the heart that may cause chest pain include:

· Shingles

· Pneumonia

· Aortic dissection

Takeaway

Noncardiac chest pain can be traumatizing, especially when it feels like cardiac chest pain. Recurring episodes are usually frustrating and can affect your activities of daily living.

Therefore, chest pain should be taken seriously. Knowing the exact cause of your chest pain can be tasking, but it is worth the experience.

Most causes of chest pain are easy to treat. If they are complex, there is much to be learned about your body’s response to stress.

Disclaimer: Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Correction to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this article or others.