Chest pain is easily associated with heart disease, chest pain is not caused by heart disease, but it should be handled with caution.
- Heartburn.
The classic symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease is the reflux of stomach acid back into the esophagus. Due to the strong acidity of the stomach, the pH value is about 2, resulting in a burning sensation behind the sternum, making people appear similar to chest pain symptoms.
Most people will experience the occasional acid reflux and it does not require special attention, but if it occurs more than 2 times a week, it is likely a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease. If left untreated for a long time, asthma, chest tightness and other discomfort can come to the door, and patients are at increased risk of developing a rare type of esophageal cancer.
- Muscle strain.
People who have just started to exercise should pay particular attention to the fact that if they have not lifted heavy objects for a long time, the chest muscles are easy to strain.
It can be difficult for the average person to tell the difference between chest pain caused by a heart attack and a strained chest muscle, so keep in mind that if the pain intensifies when you press on your chest, it's probably a muscle injury, not a heart problem.
- Costal chondritis.
Among patients who visit the emergency department for acute chest pain, 13 to 36 percent are eventually diagnosed with costochondritis, which can be caused by viral infection or chest injury. Patients often have a feeling of pressure in the chest wall, similar to a muscle strain. If costochondritis is diagnosed, the pain goes away within a few days or weeks, and over-the-counter pain relievers can relieve the symptoms.
- Shingles.
The initial symptoms of shingles include itching and burning of the skin, which can easily be mistaken for a heart attack if the affected area is above the chest. But in reality, the rash and blisters will appear after a few days.
It is important to note that the chickenpox virus can remain in the body long after symptoms have disappeared and can even regain activity in adults, usually those over 50.
- Pericarditis.
If you've had a viral infection in the past few days and wake up in the middle of the night with a stabbing pain in your chest, you probably have pericarditis.
The most common cause of pericarditis is a respiratory infection. Other causes include lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Pericarditis is generally harmless, but it may affect quality of life. A doctor will diagnose the condition with a CT scan, chest X-ray, etc., and the patient can simply rest or take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen.
- Pancreatitis.
Other serious diseases of the abdominal cavity may also cause severe pain in the chest, such as acute pancreatitis. The pancreas is behind the stomach, and the intense abdominal pain caused by pancreatitis can radiate into the chest, often deep and excruciating.
Pancreatitis is an infection caused by gallstones and is more likely to occur in women. Patients should be hospitalized immediately for blood tests, CT scans and abdominal ultrasound.
- Panic attacks.
Panic attacks can sometimes act like heart attacks and even have a near-death feel. In addition to chest pain, symptoms of a panic attack include a pounding heart, sweating, shaking, nausea, and dizziness. They can happen without warning, triggered by a major life change or stress.
For the above chest pain, experts recommend seeking medical attention as soon as possible.
