Symptom: Chest pain

Introduction: Chest pain

Chest pain is an extremely serious symptom because it may indicate an immediate heart attack, but can have less serious causes such as heartburn, reflux, GERD, etc. Because of the risk of heart attack, seek emergency professional medical attention immediately for any type of chest pain or chest tightness. It is sadly all too common for people to misdiagnose chest pain as something milder (e.g. heartburn, angina), when in fact it does come from a heart attack. It is also possible to have a heart attack without chest pain; see symptoms of heart attack.

Another common cause of sudden chest pain is an panic attack (anxiety attack) where it is common for people to rush to the hospital believing they are having a heart attack. Nevertheless, it is always important to rule out heart attack as the cause of chest pain or other chest symptoms, so seek professional medical help immediately.

» Review Causes of Chest pain: full list

Causes of Chest pain:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Chest pain. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Some possible causes of sudden chest pain include:
  • Heart attack
  • Angina - first episode might be classed as "sudden chest pain".
  • Anxiety attack
  • Panic attack
  • Esophagitis
  • Pneumothorax
  • Peptic ulcer
  • Chest nerve irritation (see Chest symptoms)
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Dissecting aortic aneurysm
  • Pericarditis
  • Pancreatitis
• Some possible causes of recurring chest pain include:
  • Heart attack
  • Angina
  • Hiatus hernia
  • Lung disease
  • Chest infection
  • Lung cancer
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Arrhythmias
  • Anemia
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Aortic aneurysm
  • Pericarditis
  • Aortic valve disorder
  • Da Costa's syndrome
  • Chondritis
  • Bornholm's disease

See full list of 536 causes of Chest pain

» Review Causes of Chest pain: full list

Causes of Types of Chest pain:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Chest pain:

• Angina (34 causes)
• Chest pressure (18 causes)
• Chronic chest pain (22 causes)
• Pleuritic chest pain (15 causes)
• Acute chest pain (20 causes)
• Rib pain (23 causes)
• Chest discomfort (25 causes)
• Chest tenderness (69 causes)
• Epigastric pain (35 causes)
• Flank pain (33 causes)
• Chest tightness (11 causes)

See full list of 47 types for Chest pain

Chest pain: Multiple Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Chest pain, as listed in our database. Visit the Multiple Symptoms Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Multiple Symptom Checker - Other Symptoms

• Chest pain: Multiple Symptom Checker

Multiple Symptom Checker Combinations

• Chest pain and Pain (393 causes)
• Chest pain and Breathing symptoms (381 causes)
• Chest pain and Chest symptoms (375 causes)
• Chest pain and Nerve symptoms (351 causes)
• Chest pain and Respiratory symptoms (346 causes)
• Chest pain and Sensations (344 causes)
• Chest pain and Breath symptoms (330 causes)
• Chest pain and Breathing difficulties (248 causes)
• Chest pain and Heart symptoms (230 causes)
• Chest pain and Digestive symptoms (207 causes)
• Chest pain and Muscle weakness (195 causes)
• Chest pain and Fatigue (191 causes)
• Chest pain and Muscle symptoms (182 causes)
• Chest pain and Weakness (168 causes)
• Chest pain and Heart rhythm symptoms (166 causes)
• Chest pain and Abdominal symptoms (166 causes)
• Chest pain and Fever (159 causes)
• Chest pain and Exercise symptoms (153 causes)
• Chest pain and Shortness of breath from exercise (152 causes)
• Chest pain and Temperature symptoms (152 causes)

See full list of 1533 Multiple Symptom Checker combinations related to Chest pain

Home Diagnostic Testing and Chest pain

Home medical tests possibly related to Chest pain:

• High Blood Pressure: Home Testing
  • Home Blood Pressure Tests
  • Home Blood Pressure Monitors
  • Home Heart Tests
• Heart Health: Home Testing:
  • Heart Rate Monitors
  • Irregular Heartbeat Detection
  • Heart Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Home Cholesterol Tests

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Breathing symptoms (1428 causes)
• Pain (3014 causes)
• Chest symptoms (596 causes)
• Sensations (3186 causes)
• Respiratory symptoms (1879 causes)
• Nerve symptoms (3495 causes)
• Common symptoms (4555 causes)
• Breath symptoms (1372 causes)

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Chest pain

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Chest pain:

• Angina (34 causes)
• Pain (3014 causes)
• Pleuritic chest pain (15 causes)
• Lung pain
• Chest symptoms (596 causes)
• Chest tightness (11 causes)
• Lung symptoms (625 causes)
• Heart symptoms (1597 causes)
• Difficulty breathing (1291 causes)
• Shortness of breath (950 causes)
• Abdominal pain (1067 causes)
• Back pain (419 causes)

Diagnostic Guides for Chest pain

Medical Books Excerpts Read excerpts from published book sections related to Chest pain from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Chest pain. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Chest pain

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Misdiagnosis and Chest pain

Heart attacks can be undiagnosed: Although the most severe symptoms of heart attack are hard to miss, there are varying degrees of severity. It is...read more »

Heart attacks can be overdiagnosed: Although many people die from heart attacks, there are also many cases where people fear that they have a heart attack,...read more »

Rare heart condition often undiagnosed: The rare heart condition called long QT syndrome can lead to episodes of palpitations and rapid heartbeat. In rare cases, this undiagnosed condition can be fatal. It...read more »

Heart attack can be over-diagnosed: Although heart attack is often undiagnosed, leading to fatality, it can also be over-diagnosed. People become concerned that a condition is a heart attack, whereas there are various less dangerous possibilities. After all, there are...read more »

Leg cramps at night a classic sign: The symptom of having leg muscle cramps, particularly at night, is a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes. However, there are also various other causes. See causes of leg...read more »

Blood pressure cuffs misdiagnose hypertension in children: One known misdiagnosis issue with hyperension, arises in relation to the simple equipment used to test blood pressure....read more »

Hypertension misdiagnosis common in children: Hypertension is often misdiagnosed in adults (see misdiagnosis of hypertension), but its misdiagnosis is even more...read more »

Vitamin B12 deficiency under-diagnosed: The condition of Vitamin B12 deficiency is a possible misdiagnosis of various conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (see symptoms of multiple sclerosis)....read more »

Pulmonary embolism- medical emergency: Pulmonary embolism is a common and potentially lethal disease; unfortunately, the diagnosis is often...read more »

Fatal causes of chest pain: Chest pain is a common condition yet very threatening to both the patient and the doctor because the underlying aetiology...read more »

Long QT syndrome or epilepsy: This is a serious cardiac disorder which maybe congenital or acquired due to intake of certain medications.It is...read more »

Pneumothorax or myocardial infarction?: Pneumothorax can occur spontaneously in individuals with known lung disorders such as asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, but sometimes it can also occur in previously healthy individuals,...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Chest pain

Diagnostic tests for Chest pain:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Chest pain. Some of these are listed below :

• Physical examination
  • General appearance e.g. pale and sweating must consider heart attack, dissecting aneurysm or pulmonary embolism
  • Blood pressure - if significantly high must consider dissecting aneurysm, but may also occasionally be significantly high in heart attack.
  • Pulses including radial (at wrist) and femoral (in groin) - check rate, regularity and for the absence of femoral pulse in dissecting aneurysm.
  • Temperature may be elevated in pneumonia or pericarditis

See full list of 32 diagnostic tests for Chest pain

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Chest pain. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

• When did the chest pain start? - to determine if acute or chronic. If acute onset must consider heart attack, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, pericarditis and rib fractures. If chest pain is chronic must consider angina, oesophagitis, hiatus hernia and various chest wall conditions.
• Is the chest pain constant or intermittent? - Constant pain suggests heart attack, pulmonary infarction, dissecting aneurysm and pneumonia. Intermittent pain would suggest angina, Tietze's syndrome and Da Costa's syndrome.
• Where exactly is the chest pain? - e.g. heart attack and angina is typically behind the breastbone; dissecting aneurysm is behind the sternum.
• Does the pain travel anywhere else? - e.g. heart attack pain may radiate to neck, jaw and down left side of arm; esophageal pain may radiate to throat or back; dissecting aneurysm may radiate to between the shoulder blades, abdomen or legs.
• Can you describe the nature of the chest pain? - e.g. heart attack may be described as heavy and crushing; esophageal pain is usually burning; dissecting aneurysm is tearing and searing.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Chest pain (16 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Chest pain) may include:

• Coughing up blood? - must consider pulmonary embolism.
• Fever and pus-like sputum - should consider pneumonia.
• Shortness of breath? - should consider pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia and congestive heart failure due to heart attack.
• Acid or bitter taste in mouth? - may suggest reflux oesophagitis.
• Rash in area of pain? - suggests herpes zoster (shingles).

See Diagnosis Checklist for Chest pain (16 listings)

Stories from Users for Chest pain

Real-life user stories relating to Chest pain:

• Chest pain and shortness of breath
• sinus headache & eye area pain
• palpitations, lightheadedness, heavy-feeling limbs, no diagnosis for 2+ years!
• It's like hell on earth
• Chest Pain....still!!
• Chest Pain/Pain While Breathing
• Chest pain/breathing/flutters/burping
• Left sided chest pain, help appreciated
• What could this chest pain be..?
• HELP: wired, headaches, chest pain, shaky, low body temp, cold, faint, and more
• Bed-ridden, very weak, chest pains
• Face/Neck/Chest pain for over 3 yrs after dental procedure
• gel-like balls in sputum-what is it?
• Play-doh like fingertips. Doctors shrug and say it's weird.
• Chest Pain,pounding Just By Moving
• Chest Pains, EKG, Panic/Anxiety Attacks
• Pain on left side of chest when I inhale...
• Lump sencation in throat/chest area
• chest pains
• I don't remember what it's like to feel okay

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Chest pain or relevant symptoms:

• Cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Circulation) (171)
  • Chest pain and shortness of breath
  • Hand numbness
  • Purple-blue skin color
  • Need help with diagnoses
  • Anxiety and high BP
  • More user stories
• Respiratory (Lungs and Breathing) (136)
  • Chlorine/ammonia odor when I breathe
  • Chest Pain/Pain While Breathing
  • Clearing throat cough and breathing difficulties
  • Chest discomfort
  • Unable to get diagnosis....please help!
  • More user stories
• Gastrointestinal (Food - from entry to exit) (452)
  • Bloating/Distention/Intestinal Gas
  • Intense Abdominal Pain
  • Help Please! Extreme Abdominal Pain/Gas/Bowel Symptoms ++
  • Feels like a baby kicking-not pregnant
  • 7 year old with severe heartburn/stomach aches
  • More user stories
• Musculoskeletal (Muscles, joints and bones) (405)
  • Joint and muscular pain after taking chantix
  • Arm pain after sneezing
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Joint swelling, stiffness, severe foot pain
  • Muscle twitches/spasms
  • More user stories
• Endocrine (Growth and Metabolism) (93)
  • Symptoms of Cushing's - Tests all negative
  • Has anyone been diagnosed with Wilson's Temperature Syndrome and are being treated??
  • Pitutary tumor
  • I am at my wits end with these symptoms
  • I think I have Cushings, can you help?
  • More user stories

Videos for Chest pain

Patient Surveys for Chest pain

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Causes of Chest pain listed in Disease Database:

Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible causes of Chest pain as a symptom include:

• Actinomycosis
• Acute intermittent porphyria
• Adenosine
• Amonafide
• Anemia
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Aortic valve stenosis
• Arsenic trioxide
• Arsenicals
• Blood transfusion and complications
• Bornholm disease
• Bronchogenic cyst
• Carbon monoxide toxicity
• Cardiomyopathy
• Cardiomyopathy, familial hypertrophic
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Coronary artery dissection
• Diffuse esophageal spasm
• Dissecting aortic aneurysm
• Dressler's syndrome

See full list of 536 causes of Chest pain
- (Source - Diseases Database)

Medications or substances causing Chest pain:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Chest pain as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Smoking - contributes to causes of chest pain such as angina
• Encainide Hydrochloride
• Enkaid

See full list of 851 medications causing Chest pain

Drug interactions causing Chest pain:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Chest pain as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Dymelor and alcohol interaction
• Diabinese and alcohol interaction
• Amaryl and alcohol interaction
• Glucotrol and alcohol interaction
• Glucotrol XL and alcohol interaction

See full list of 334 drug interactions causing Chest pain

Definitions of Chest pain:

Pressure, burning, or numbness in the chest.
- (Source - Diseases Database)

Pain in the chest
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)

Organs affected by Chest pain:

The list of organs typically affected by Chest pain may include, but is not limited to:

• Chest
• Heart
• Lungs
• Muscle
• Ribs

Detailed list of causes of Chest pain

The list below shows some of the causes of Chest pain mentioned in various sources:

• Accelerated silicosis - chest pain
• Achalasia - chest pain
• Achalasia, familial esophageal - chest pain
• Achalasia, primary - chest pain
• Acid-Base Imbalance - chest pain

See full list of 536 causes of Chest pain

How Common are these Causes of Chest pain?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Chest pain. Of the 536 causes of Chest pain that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 16 causes are "very common" diseases
• 19 causes are "common" diseases
• 14 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 3 causes are "rare" diseases
• 31 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 480 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 536 causes of Chest pain

Conditions listing symptoms: Chest pain:

The following list of conditions have 'Chest pain' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

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Causes of Chest pain Based on Risk Factors

This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Chest pain based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient: