Chest pain appears in many forms, ranging from a sharp stab to a dull ache. Sometimes chest pain feels crushing or burning. In certain cases, the pain travels up the neck, into the jaw, and then spreads to the back or down one or both arms. Show
Many different problems can cause chest pain. The most life-threatening causes involve the heart or lungs. Because chest pain can indicate a serious problem, it's important to seek immediate medical help. Products & Services
SymptomsChest pain can cause many different sensations depending on what's triggering the symptom. Often, the cause has nothing to do with the heart — though there's no easy way to tell without seeing a health care provider. Heart-related chest painAlthough chest pain is often associated with heart disease, many people with heart disease say they have a vague discomfort that isn't necessarily identified as pain. In general, chest discomfort related to a heart attack or another heart problem may be described by or associated with one or more of the following:
Other types of chest painIt can be difficult to distinguish heart-related chest pain from other types of chest pain. However, chest pain that is less likely due to a heart problem is more often associated with:
The classic symptoms of heartburn — a painful, burning sensation behind the breastbone — can be caused by problems with the heart or the stomach. When to see a doctorIf you have new or unexplained chest pain or think you're having a heart attack, call 911 or emergency medical assistance immediately. Don't ignore the symptoms of a heart attack. If you can't get an ambulance or emergency vehicle to come to you, have a neighbor or a friend drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only if you have no other option. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Chest pain can happen in your upper body for a number of reasons, including heart issues. It can feel tight, achy or sharp, among other sensations. It can spread to your back and arms. You should always take chest pain seriously and get medical attention quickly. Chest pain causes can range from heartburn or pneumonia to a heart attack.
OverviewWhat is chest pain?Chest pain is a pain in any area of your chest. It may spread to other areas, including down your arms, into your neck or jaw. Chest pain can be sharp or dull. You may feel tightness, achiness, or you may feel like your chest is being crushed or squeezed. Chest pain can last for a few minutes or hours. In some cases, it can last six months or longer. What does chest pain feel like?Angina, one type of chest pain, happens when your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina is a symptom of a heart issue. It often worsens during exertion and improves when you’re at rest. Angina can:
Possible Causes What are the most common causes of chest pain?Although most people think of chest pain as a sign of a heart issue/heart attack, many things can cause it. Chest pain can be a symptom of: Heart and vascular problems (pain on the left side of your chest)Heart attackHeart muscle dies when it can’t get enough oxygen because of a blockage in the coronary artery supplying its blood. Coronary artery diseaseCholesterol buildup can narrow and block the blood vessels that carry blood to your heart. It’s typically worse with exercise because you can’t get enough blood to the heart muscle and clogged coronary arteries. Coronary artery dissectionA coronary artery wall can rip, create a bulge and block your artery. This causes pressure or pain in your chest, and it could lead to a heart attack. PericarditisAn infection or other cause can start inflammation in the lining around your heart, causing a sharp pain in your chest. The pain can spread to your left shoulder and arm. The pain can be worse when you’re lying down and worse when taking deep breaths. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathyThe muscle walls of your pumping ventricles (or lower heart chambers) become thick and stiff. With this issue, you can’t get enough blood into — or out of — your heart’s chambers, and your heart has a harder time getting oxygen-rich blood. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy usually happens because of a problem in the genes you got from your parents. Aortic dissectionA tear can happen in the wall of your aorta, making the layers of the wall come apart from each other. This very strong pain happens without warning and feels like something is ripping and is often felt in your chest, back and between the shoulder blades. Aortic aneurysmBlood that pushes against a weak part of your aorta’s wall can make it bulge out. Without treatment, this weak spot can break open and cause severe pain in your chest or abdomen. If an aortic aneurysm ruptures, this is an emergency that requires immediate treatment. Mitral valve prolapseThe valve that lets blood flow between your left atrium and left ventricle may not close completely every time your heart beats. This allows blood to flow back to the chamber it just left. Digestive issues (middle of your chest)Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)Acid from your stomach comes up into your esophagus, making you feel burning or tightness (heartburn) under your breastbone. This chest pain may be worse when lying down because gravity can’t help keep stomach acid down like it does when you’re standing up. It often gets worse after eating certain meals or spicy foods — and it’s usually worse at night after dinner. UlcerHaving an infection or taking NSAIDs can make it easier for stomach acid to injure your stomach lining. This can feel like burning or aching right under your breastbone. It can get worse when you eat acidic foods or drink alcohol. Muscle spasms in your esophagusFor an unknown reason, muscles that normally push food through your esophagus stop doing this. Instead, you have a strong squeezing feeling under your breastbone with or without trouble swallowing. This can happen when you exercise. EsophagitisAn allergic reaction to food can cause inflammation in your esophagus’ walls. Like you would with GERD, you may have a burning pain under your breastbone. Digestive issues (right side chest pain)GallstonesMade of mostly cholesterol, gallstones can block ducts where a fluid that helps digestion (bile) needs to travel to get to your small intestine. Swelling in your gallbladder makes it hurt under your ribs on your right side. This is an extreme pain that can last for many hours. Digestive issues (left side chest pain)Hiatal herniaUsually for an unknown reason, part of your stomach can go through an opening in your diaphragm muscle that’s normally only for your esophagus. This reduces blood flow to your stomach. People with a hiatal hernia often have difficulty swallowing. GastritisStomach lining inflammation from many causes can make your lower left chest hurt. You also might feel sick to your stomach and throw up. PancreatitisInflammation of your pancreas can give you bad pain in your upper abdomen. It also can make you feel nauseous and throw up. Lung issues (left side chest pain or right side chest pain)Pulmonary embolismA blood clot from somewhere else in your body can get stuck in a pulmonary artery inside your lung. You’ll probably have shortness of breath, too. People with pulmonary embolism often describe sharp pain that worsens when breathing in. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)Problems with your air sacs and/or airway lining make it difficult for you to breathe. Your chest can feel tight and you may have shortness of breath. PneumoniaIf your defenses aren’t strong enough, you can get an infection in your lungs. This infection can make either side of your chest hurt, but you’ll also have fever, chills and a cough with mucus. Pleurisy or pleuritisAn infection and/or inflammation of the membrane around your lungs causes sharp chest pain that gets worse when you cough or breathe deeply. You may also have pain in your shoulder. Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)Air can get between the layers of a tissue that covers your lungs, causing part of all of your lung to collapse. Without warning, you may feel a sharp pain in your chest and possibly your neck and shoulder. Pulmonary hypertensionSeveral disorders can cause high blood pressure in your pulmonary arteries, which take blood to your lungs to trade carbon dioxide for oxygen. You get chest pain because it’s harder for your heart to push blood through blood vessels that are narrow from hypertension. AsthmaAllergens or irritants can make your airways narrow temporarily, making it hard to breathe. You may feel a tightness in your chest and also cough or wheeze. Musculoskeletal issues (left side chest pain or right side chest pain)Broken ribAccidents can make the ribs protecting your chest break. This hurts a lot, especially when you take deep breaths. It hurts for several weeks. Sprained chest muscleInjuries can create tears in your muscles that cause pain, especially when you move. You may also have swelling and bruising. Musculoskeletal issues (middle of your chest)CostochondritisInflammation can happen in cartilage that links most of your ribs to your breastbone. This can cause a sharp pain in your chest that gets worse during coughing or deep breathing. Other issues (left side chest pain or right side chest pain)ShinglesThe chickenpox virus you had as a child can become active again later in life, usually in people older than 50. As shingles, this virus causes a painful rash that shows up on the skin on your upper body. It usually develops in a certain part of your chest, and typically only on one side. Lung cancerChest pain from lung cancer hurts more when you cough, laugh or take a deep breath. Other issues (middle of your chest)Panic attackA short-term, unexpected feeling of anxiety and fear can bring chest pain with it. A panic attack can feel like a heart attack and may include other symptoms similar to one. What is the main cause of chest pain?GERD, not a heart attack, is the most common cause of chest pain. Still, you should get medical attention to get the treatment you need. Care and TreatmentHow is chest pain treated?Treatment for chest pain depends on the cause of the pain. If a heart attack is causing your chest pain, you’ll get emergency treatment as soon as you seek help. This can include medication and a procedure or surgery to restore blood flow to your heart. If a noncardiac condition is causing your chest pain, your healthcare provider will talk to you about treatment options. Depending on your illness and how bad it is, they may recommend:
How can chest pains be prevented?You can reduce your risk of heart, vascular and other diseases by following a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
When to Call the DoctorHow do I know if my chest pain is serious?Call 911 or have someone take you to the closest emergency room right away if you have chest pain that lasts longer than five minutes and doesn’t go away when you rest or take medication. Cardiac chest pain can be life-threatening. Chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack. Other signs of a heart attack include:
What should I do if I have chest pain?Don’t ignore any type of chest pain or avoid getting treatment. If your chest pain is new, comes on suddenly, or lasts longer than five minutes after you rest or take medication, call 911 or have someone take you to the closest emergency room. If your chest pain goes away or comes and goes, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible to find out what’s causing the pain, even if it’s not severe. Is chest pain normal?No. Chest pain isn’t normal. If you have chest pain, contact your healthcare provider or 911 right away. A note from Cleveland Clinic Although most people think of a heart attack when they think of chest pain, there are many other conditions that cause chest pain. Know the signs of a heart attack and seek medical attention soon after you start having pain. Make a mental note of what you were doing when your chest pain happened so you can tell your healthcare provider. Being able to describe the kind of pain you’re having and where can help your provider give you a diagnosis. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/23/2022. References
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Why does my left side hurt when I take a breath?Pleurisy on your left side may cause pain under your left rib cage, but the main symptom is a sharp, stabbing pain when you breathe. Be sure to see a doctor if you experience any intense chest pain while breathing.
When should I worry about left side chest pain?Below are some signs of a potentially real cardiovascular event that warrant immediate medical attention: Mild or severe discomfort in the middle or left side of the chest that feels like fullness, pressure or squeezing; it lasts several minutes, ends, then returns.
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Pain in left side of chest when inhaling
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