An expert has revealed three “common” causes of chest pain to look out for. According to a doctor, although these symptoms may not be linked to heart attack or other heart issues they could still require medical attention.
NHSdoctor Suraj Kukadia, who is best known online as Dr Sooj, explained that chest pain could “stop you in your tracks”. While this might seem “scary” he said it can be “harmless”.
Speaking on social media platform TikTok, the doctor said: “Have you had a chest pain that stops you in your tracks? Thankfully not all chest pain comes from the heart but here are three common non-cardiac causes of chest pain that can feel really scary when they happen but they’re usually harmless.”
Costochondritis
Dr Sooj revealed that costochondritis is one cause of chest pain. It is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone.
“It’s a sharp, localised pain that can get worse when you press on your chest or take a deep breath,” he said. “Now, it’s often triggered by an overuse like heavy lifting or even a bad cough. Now, rest and anti-inflammatories can help ease the discomfort.”
Pleurisy
This is an inflammation of the tissue between your ribs and lungs called the pleura. Dr Soof told his viewers: “Now it’s usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection and it makes every deep breath, cough or sneeze feel like a sharp, stabbing pain and it might also come with other symptoms like a fever or shortness of breath. So if that’s the case, you should definitely go see a doctor.”
Precordial catch syndrome
This is common among young, healthy people. It causes a sudden stabbing pain in the left side of your chest that disappears in seconds, or sometimes even minutes.
Dr Sooj said: “Precordial catch syndrome is more common in younger healthy people and it’s linked to irritation of the intercostal nerves that run through your chest wall. And it often happens when sitting still with poor posture or after sudden movements.”
However, he issued a warning: “While some of these causes of chest pain are benign, please don’t ignore severe, persistent or spreading pain especially if it comes with symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, sweating. Play it safe and seek medical attention.”
The NHS describes chest pain caused by a heart attack as a “feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest”. It is “often severe”.
“But some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion,” the health body said. Other symptoms of a heart attack to look out for include:
- Pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- An overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
- Coughing or wheezing.
If you think someone is experiencing a heart attack you must call 999 or take them to A&E immediately.