What is chest discomfort?

Chest discomfort is a common symptom of heart, lung and digestive disorders and of physical injury. Discomfort felt in the chest can result from a lack of blood flow to vital organs or from inflammation of the heart, lungs or esophagus. It may also occur with certain conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system that allow the digestive juices to enter the esophagus, causing discomfort.

Reduced blood flow to the heart, resulting in heart pain (angina), and asthma are common causes of chest discomfort. Other common causes include heartburn, indigestion, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Inflammation or infection of the airways or bronchi (bronchitis), lungs (pneumonitis, pneumonia), lining around the lungs (pleurisy or pleuritis), or esophagus (esophagitis) can also cause chest discomfort.

Injury to musculoskeletal structures, such as the ribs and chest muscles, commonly results in chest discomfort due to swelling and inflammation. Emotional disorders, such as anxiety and panic attacks, may also be accompanied by chest discomfort.

Chest discomfort can be a sign of a serious condition. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you experience chest discomfort along with shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, loss of consciousness, or severe trauma to the chest. Seek prompt medical care if your chest discomfort is persistent or causes you concern.


What other symptoms might occur with chest discomfort?

Chest discomfort may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the chest may also involve other body systems.

Cardiovascular symptoms that may occur along with chest discomfort

Chest discomfort may accompany other symptoms affecting the cardiovascular system including:

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What causes chest discomfort?

Angina (brief, sharp heart pain) is a symptom of a condition called myocardial ischemia that occurs when the heart muscle, or myocardium, doesn’t get as much oxygen-carrying blood as it needs. This usually occurs because one or more of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle, is narrowed or blocked. Insufficient blood supply is called ischemia.

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This Article is Filed Under: Heart, Blood and Circulation, Angina