A sudden sharp pain in the chest can be frightening. Some people experience it while breathing deeply, turning their body, exercising or even resting.
Although chest pain can have relatively minor causes, it can also be a warning sign of a life-threatening condition.
1. Muscle strain: Overstretching chest muscles or lifting heavy objects can cause pain that becomes worse with movement or pressing the affected area.
2. Acid reflux: Stomach acid entering the oesophagus can cause burning discomfort behind the breastbone.
3. Costochondritis: This condition involves inflammation where the ribs connect to the breastbone. It can cause sharp pain, especially when pressing the chest.
4. Anxiety or panic attacks: Some people experience chest tightness, a racing heartbeat and breathlessness during panic attacks. However, chest pain should not automatically be blamed on anxiety.
5. Lung infections: Conditions such as pneumonia can cause chest pain, coughing, fever and difficulty breathing.
6. Blood clots in the lungs: A pulmonary embolism can cause sudden chest pain, breathlessness and a fast heartbeat. It is a medical emergency.
7. Heart problems: A heart attack can cause pressure, squeezing, heaviness or sometimes unusual pain in the chest. It may spread to the arm, back, neck or jaw.
Important: If you experience sudden or unexplained chest pain, especially with breathlessness, sweating, faintness or nausea, seek emergency medical help immediately. Do not try to diagnose the cause at home or drive yourself if seriously unwell.
Chest pain is not a symptom to gamble with.
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