CHESTS PAINS THAT ARE NOT HEART ATTACK
Chest pain isn't always caused by a heart attack. Some causes can be mild, like heartburn, others can be dangerous, like pancreatitis.
Heartburn
You might be wondering how someone could mistake the symptoms of acid reflux for a heart attack, but there’s a reason why it’s called heartburn, after all.
Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when a person’s stomach contents—including the gastric acids that help break down food—back up into the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat and stomach.
Stomach acid is highly acidic, hence, the burning sensation behind your breastbone; on the pH scale, it scores about a 1 according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) falling somewhere between battery acid and vinegar.
Our stomachs are lined with protective membranes that shield it from the corrosive effects of acid, while our esophagus is not.The occasional reflux is fairly common and probably nothing to worry about, but if you’re experiencing it twice a week or more, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Left untreated over time, GERD can cause asthma, chest congestion, and a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which may increase your chances of developing a rare type of cancer.
Costochondritis
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the tissue (cartilage) connecting your ribs to your breastbone.It’s a common and benign (or non-threatening) cause of chest wall pain. But if it’s new to you, it’s a good idea to get it checked out by a medical professional anyway.Typically, people feel a type of pressure on their chest wall and—similar to a strained muscle—a tenderness when they press on the area.If you do have costochondritis, the pain typically goes away in a few days or weeks with prescribed medication.
Shingles
The virus that causes chickenpox lingers in your body long after the spots have faded. In fact, the varicella-zoster virus can reactivate in adulthood (usually in people older than 50) as a disease called shingles.
The first symptoms include itching and burning skin. If the area over the chest is affected, someone might mistake this new pain for a heart attack or other cardiac issue.A few days later, however, the telltale rash can appear, followed by blisters.If you think you have shingles, call a healthcare provider ASAP. Antiviral medications can lessen the pain and shorten the duration of the symptoms, but only if you take them within 72 hours of the rash appearing.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is a condition where there is inflammation in the layers of tissue that surround the heart.Other causes include bacterial infections, which are less common, and fungal infections, which are rare, Although there can be other causes as well.Pain is present in most cases and is described as sharp or stabbing. The pain is located on the left side or front part of the chest, but it can also occur in the neck, shoulder, back, or abdomen.It’s more intense with lying down, breathing deeply, coughing, or swallowing, and it improves with sitting up and leaning forward, which is unique to this condition.Although pericarditis is usually harmless, it can really impact your quality of life.Chances are, however, your pericarditis will clear up in a few days or weeks simply through resting or taking over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen, which also helps quell inflammation.
Pancreatitis
Just because a person’s chest pain isn’t related to a heart attack doesn’t mean that it isn’t dangerous. One example: acute pancreatitis—the sudden inflammation of the pancreas, which is located just behind the stomach.Intense abdominal pain can radiate up to the chest.And the pain from pancreatitis is usually a deep-seated, intense pain.Oftentimes, pancreatitis occurs when gallstones (hard, pebble-like pieces of material usually made of hardened cholesterol triggering inflammation in the pancreas—something that’s more likely to occur in women than men.
Pleuritic chest pain
Chest pain can have a number of pulmonary (lung) causes. Because the lungs and heart are both located in the chest, it can be easy to confuse the origin of the pain.Pleuritic chest pain occurs when the lining of your lungs (the pleura) becomes inflamed. This can cause sudden and intense sharp, stabbing, or burning pain in the chest when inhaling and exhaling.While not related to a heart attack, this type of chest pain can also be serious and is another reason you’ll want to get your symptoms checked out by a medical professional.Pulmonary embolism is the most common serious cause of pleuritic chest pain and is life-threatening.Pulmonary embolism occurs when there is a blockage in a lung artery. This blockage can damage the lungs and cause low oxygen levels in your blood, which can damage other organs as well.
Pneumonia can also cause pleuritic chest pain. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs and can range from mild to severe, depending on the cause.Chest pain from pneumonia will occur when you breathe or cough.If you’ve had some type of injury or trauma to your chest, a broken or bruised rib can also cause chest pain. Breathing, coughing, and moving your upper body can be very painful if you’ve injured your rib.
Panic Attack
Having a panic attack can certainly feel like a heart attack; people often believe they’re dying when they are having one.
In addition to chest pain, symptoms can include a pounding heart, sweating, shaking, nausea, dizziness, and a feeling of going crazy. It’s your body’s fight-or-flight response kicking in.Panic attacks tend to crop up suddenly with no warning. People can experience them for a variety of reasons, including:
- Having a family history of panic attacks
- A history of childhood trauma
- Dealing with major life changes and ongoing stress (such as a serious illness of a loved one)
- Experiencing a traumatic event (such as a robbery or car accident)
