Do you suffer from chest pain? Sudden chest pain is very alarming to people. If you ask them the cause of chest pain, they would probably jump to heart attack. Yes, of course chest pain could be due to a heart attack, but there are also other types of chest pain that could be causing you discomfort.
There are some types of chest pain that are not nearly as serious as you think. Chest pains can be caused by unresolved anxiety or maybe a panic disorder, gastric distress (heartburn) and other issues. Sudden chest pain can attack anytime: for example, if you encounter a physical or mental trauma or if you skipped a meal.
If you have chest pain and feel so much pain, sharp, recurring and fading, or the pain is accompanied by any numbing of your limbs – then, please do not hesitate to ask for help! Chest pain is not something to be ignored, and you should always ask for the advice of a physician to rule out life-threatening causes of pain. Below are the different types of chest pain and their causes.
Kinds of chest pain
Heart
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Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD)
This happens when blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and blood become diseased. Too much cholesterol, or plaque in your arteries, is usually the root cause of CAD (Coronary Artery Diseases). When the artery is completely blocked by cholesterol, it denies the muscle of oxygen and this can result in a heart attack. This chest pain can be compared to having someone sitting on your chest, and your chest feels tight like it’s under pressure.
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GERD/Acid Reflux Heartburn
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest and behind the breastbone. This kind of sensation can feel like something moving up and down the throat frequently accompanied by a taste of food or a feeling of burning acid in the throat. This could happen when you eat too much, drink alcohol or lie down too soon after eating. This kind of chest pain is very common during pregnancy as well.
Lungs
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Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes caused by bacterial infection or exposure to pollutants like vapors from harsh toxins, smoke, smog, and fumes from industrial cleaning products. It causes a cough together with mucus. The symptoms of bronchitis include shortness of breath, fever, fatigue and expelling yellowish and greenish sputum (or possibly with blood). You will feel tightness in your chest combined with a continuous cough that can lead to chest pain. Bronchitis is associated with chest pain that is usually placid, but coughing will sometimes worsen the pain.
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Asthma
Asthma is the inflammation of the tissues in your airway that causes them to narrow. While these are being narrowed, this causes chest pain when breathing as it is very difficult to get air in and out of your lungs. Asthma attacks can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and even chest tightness. If you’re encountering asthma attacks you will feel severe difficulty in breathing and it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately and use your inhalers as advised by your doctor
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If you are experiencing chest pain, please seek a medical professional.
To read more about the relaxing effects of a deep tissue massage on blood pressure and pain, read our recent blog post, Three Proven Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage.