Chest Pain That Comes and Goes

 Chest pain that comes and goes for days

Every few minutes or over the course of several days, chest pain may start and stop. The heart, the muscles, your digestive system, or psychological issues may be to blame.

Chest pain can have mild underlying causes, including acid reflux. Or, they might be severe and point to something like a heart attack. It's critical to spot warning indicators and keep an eye out for associated symptoms.

In this article, we examine some potential reasons for intermittent chest pain. We also discuss whether to consult a doctor and how to determine whether the pain is related to the heart.

Does it indicate a significant problem?

A cardiac condition, breathing, or intestinal problems could be to blame for intermittent chest pain.

A heart, respiratory, or digestive issue could be the cause of chest pain that comes and goes. It can also happen during panic attacks in some people.

Based only on symptoms, it is impossible to make a reliable self-diagnosis of chest pain. If chest discomfort recurs, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms, consult a physician.

Unless there is a life-threatening emergency, pain that lasts for weeks or months is unlikely to be the result of one. More than likely, the problem is with the skeletal system or muscles.

Heart problems are much less probable Source of the pain that:

1. Lasts only a brief time
2. Is treated with medicine
3. Disappears after inhaling deeply
4. Only impacts one particular area of the chest
5. Is eased by massaging the chest region.

Underlying reasons behind intermittent chest pain

Different kinds of chest discomfort ebb and flow. Even a heart attack can briefly improve before coming back.

Keep an eye out for other symptoms & keep any risk factors for medical disorders in mind to better understand the reason for chest discomfort.

The following are typical causes of chest pain:

Irritable bowel syndrome

Pain in the chest or nearby the ribs can result from a wide range of intestinal problems. Examples include:

1. Chest burning might be brought on by acid reflux.
2. Gallstones can create a sharp, stabbing pain that lasts for several hours, goes away, and then comes back.
3. Pain that appears and disappears can be a result of ulcers.
4. Chest pain caused by acid reflux usually gets worse right after eating. Additionally, it could get worse if you drink alcohol or eat fatty foods.

Muscle pain

Chest pain frequently has underlying muscle pain from stress, an injury, or a persistent pain syndrome.

There is a wide range of muscular discomfort symptoms. Pain could be:

It's crucial to contact a doctor if one believes their chest pain may be caused by a stomach or liver problem. However, this kind of pain typically does not indicate a serious problem.

1. Sharp or dull
2. Throbbing or shooting
3. Extending forth or being centered in one place
4. Muscle-related causes of chest discomfort are more likely to include:
5. Improves with massage
6. Worsens if a person inhales rapidly and sharply
7. Feels like previous instances of muscular soreness

Anxiety attack

Deep breathing exercises can potentially reduce the severity of a panic attack.

One of the scariest signs of a panic attack is chest pain, which can exacerbate anxiety. The discomfort could resemble a heart attack in intensity. Some panic attack sufferers may have a sense of impending death.

With deep breathing, these assaults frequently subside. Sometimes, they might only last a short while.

Without a doctor's assistance, it may be challenging to differentiate between a panic attack and a heart attack if the pain does not go away.

Respiratory infection

Chest pain can result from respiratory illnesses, particularly if you cough a lot.

Following a respiratory illness, pleurisy is a condition that some people experience. Pleurisy is an inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the outside of the lungs, or pleura.

If chest pain or lung pain persists after a respiratory infection, see a doctor.

Angina

Angina is a type of chest pain or discomfort that develops when the heart does not receive enough blood. Chest tension, pressure, or squeezing sensations are common symptoms of angina. The jaw may also feel the ache.

Angina is a risk factor for heart disease, and the discomfort it causes is comparable to a heart attack.

In most cases, angina is a sign of coronary heart disease (CHD), which develops when the arteries get blocked. Heart attack risk is also increased by CHD. Anyone who thinks they might have it needs to visit a doctor.

Chest pain

Heart attacks and cardiac arrest may be indicated by sudden, severe chest discomfort. These happen when improper electrical impulses or obstructions prevent blood from getting to the heart.

Heart attack warning signals include:

1. Chest discomfort in the middle
2. An intense sense of pressure on the chest
3. Ache that last for more than a short while
4. Radiating discomfort in the jaw, neck, arms, shoulders, or back
5. Nausea, lightheadedness, or breathing difficulties

According to sex, symptoms may vary. Women may not have the traditional sign of discomfort in the middle of the chest, but they do tend to feel nausea and dizziness, shortness of breath, and back or jaw pain more frequently than males, for instance.

Medical emergencies include heart attacks. One should call emergency services as soon as they have any inkling that they may be having one or if they feel any new, inexplicable chest pain.

Heart attacks are more likely to occur in those with cardiovascular risk factors, such as CHD, diabetes, obesity, or a history of heart attacks.

Lung problems

Chest pain and breathing difficulties can be caused by lung issues, such as infections and pneumonia.

Lung conditions are pretty dangerous. Anyone who has one should seek medical attention within a couple of days. A medical emergency, however, is defined as being unable to breathe or having severe chest pain that is related to the lungs.

Mastitis

This is a reference to a breast tissue infection. Mastitis can cause excruciating agony. A person may also have a fever, chest or breast enlargement, and shooting or acute pains.

Mastitis is frequently experienced while nursing. While some people only need medication or a hospital stay, the infection may go away on its own in others.

Chest pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism develops in a blood vessel that travels to the lungs. When a blood clot has ruptured, usually from the legs, it causes an embolism. It's possible for someone to feel discomfort in their leg if they have a blood clot there.

Chest pain and breathing difficulties are common symptoms of pulmonary embolisms. These medical situations are potentially fatal.

Breast-feeding

Pain in the chest and the area surrounding the breasts may result from this. The following elements could be at fault:

1. Increase in breast size
2. Letting down reflex
3. Mastitis
4. Watching a child cry

During the initial weeks of breastfeeding, some people experience pain in their breasts or nipples while their bodies adjust. Waiting it out is fine if the pain is light and intermittent.

If the discomfort is severe or lasts for several weeks, consult a doctor.

How to determine whether chest pain is cardiac-related

1. People with a history of cardiovascular disease may experience
2. Chest pain is more frequently caused by the heart.
3. A doctor should examine you if you have chest pain. There are exceptions.

It's possible to determine the reason on the basis of just the symptoms.

If someone has:

1. Heart disease risk elements
2. A background of heart illness
3. Respiration difficulty
4. Discomfort that does not go away with treatment or massage
5. The suffering that worsens over time
6. Hearts problems are not likely to result in chest pain that:
7. Benefits from massage or pain medication
8. Feels comparable to earlier, non-heart-related pain
9. Occurs when symptoms of heart issues are present.

When to visit the doctor

Any persistent chest pain must to be examined by a specialist. See a doctor as soon as possible if the discomfort keeps returning.

A mild illness, a muscular spasm, or another problem could be to blame for chest pain that goes away.

Consult an emergency room if the pain is:

1. Severe and persistent
2. Going worse over time
3. Accompanied by shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, or dizziness
4. With a feeling of crushing or squeezing in the middle of the chest
5. Continuing for a longer period than a few minutes

Conclusion

Most cases of chest pain are not related to heart attacks. But quick medical attention can literally save lives. Seeking urgent attention can ease any concern, even if the source is a minor problem.

It is crucial to get a diagnosis because only a doctor can correctly determine the source of chest pain.