Chest pain can be caused by many different conditions. There is always a chance that your pain could be related to something serious, such as a heart attack or a blood clot in your lungs. Chest pain can also be caused by conditions that are not life-threatening. If you have chest pain, it is important to follow up with your health care provider for further evaluation.
CAUSES
Chest pain can be caused by:
• Heartburn.
• Pneumonia or bronchitis.
• Anxiety or stress.
• Inflammation around your heart (pericarditis) or lung (pleuritis or pleurisy).
• A blood clot in your lung.
• A collapsed lung (pneumothorax). It can develop suddenly on its own (spontaneous pneumothorax) or from trauma to the chest.
• Shingles infection (varicella …show more content…
• Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your health care provider. This is important. This includes suggestions for further testing if your chest pain does not go away.
• You may be advised to keep your head raised (elevated) while sleeping. This reduces the chance of acid going backward from your stomach into your esophagus, if heartburn is the cause for your chest pain.
• Make lifestyle changes as directed by your health care provider. These may include:
• Getting regular exercise. Ask your health care provider to suggest some activities that are safe for you.
• Eating a heart-healthy diet. A registered dietitian can help you learn healthy eating options.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Managing diabetes, if necessary.
• Reducing stress.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your chest pain does not go away after treatment.
• You have a rash with blisters on your chest.
• You have a fever.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your chest pain is worse.
• You have an increasing cough, or you cough up blood.
• You have severe abdominal pain.
• You have severe weakness.
• You faint.
• You have chills.
• You have sudden, unexplained chest
CAUSES
Chest pain can be caused by:
• Heartburn.
• Pneumonia or bronchitis.
• Anxiety or stress.
• Inflammation around your heart (pericarditis) or lung (pleuritis or pleurisy).
• A blood clot in your lung.
• A collapsed lung (pneumothorax). It can develop suddenly on its own (spontaneous pneumothorax) or from trauma to the chest.
• Shingles infection (varicella …show more content…
• Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your health care provider. This is important. This includes suggestions for further testing if your chest pain does not go away.
• You may be advised to keep your head raised (elevated) while sleeping. This reduces the chance of acid going backward from your stomach into your esophagus, if heartburn is the cause for your chest pain.
• Make lifestyle changes as directed by your health care provider. These may include:
• Getting regular exercise. Ask your health care provider to suggest some activities that are safe for you.
• Eating a heart-healthy diet. A registered dietitian can help you learn healthy eating options.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Managing diabetes, if necessary.
• Reducing stress.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your chest pain does not go away after treatment.
• You have a rash with blisters on your chest.
• You have a fever.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your chest pain is worse.
• You have an increasing cough, or you cough up blood.
• You have severe abdominal pain.
• You have severe weakness.
• You faint.
• You have chills.
• You have sudden, unexplained chest