An acute myocardial infarction or ischemia occurs when blood flow to the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries) is blocked. Because of this, the muscles of the heart do not receive enough oxygen. This can cause damage, deterioration and atrophy of the heart muscle.
Causes of a heart attack
A heart attack is caused by coronary heart disease, or coronary artery disease. Heart disease can be caused by a buildup of cholesterol in the coronary arteries (atherosclerosis), blood clots that can damage blood flow, or spasm of blood vessels supplying the heart.
Risk factors for a heart attack
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- smoking
- high cholesterol
- heredity - cardiovascular diseases in close relatives that occur at the age of less than 60 years,
- obesity
After menopause, women have a higher risk of heart attack than premenopausal women. This is thought to be due to the loss of the protective effect of the hormone estrogen at menopause. Therefore, women in the period before menopause need hormone replacement therapy to balance the hormonal balance in the body.
Heart attack symptoms
Typical pain during a heart attack occurs in the middle and left side of the chest, and may also radiate to the left shoulder, left arm, jaw, abdomen, or back. Be careful: different people may have different symptoms during a heart attack.
Symptoms associated with chest pain are shortness of breath, increased sweating, nausea, and vomiting.
Symptoms of chest pain on the left during a heart attack in women may not differ from men. Yet in women, symptoms can be atypical (uncharacteristic). With chest pain on the left, women may experience the following signs of a heart attack:
- stomach discomfort,
- heartburn,
- dizziness,
- unexplained fatigue.
Diagnostics
- Examination by palpation of the chest
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to diagnose the functioning of the heart. After an ECG, you can already tell which vessels of the heart are blocked or narrowed.
- The study of enzymes that produce heart muscle cells when it does not receive enough oxygen. These enzymes can be detected in a blood test.
Treatment
First of all, in case of a heart attack, you need to call an ambulance. While the patient is waiting for the ambulance, they should take nitroglycerin to reduce chest pain.
Inpatient treatment of a heart attack or ischemia that caused a heart attack is primarily aimed at increasing blood flow through the arteries. It is important to unblock the blood flow and the arteries themselves, as well as eliminate the risk of blood clots passing to the heart. Drugs that are used for this purpose include aspirin, heparin, thrombolytic drugs.
The second goal in stopping a heart attack is to slow down the heart rate, this reduces the workload on the heart and reduces chest pain on the left.
Angioplasty is a way to unblock an artery.
Angiography – This is done primarily to look for narrowing or blockages in the arteries. A very thin plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted into an artery. This expands it, providing a wider passage for the blood. Sometimes a stent (flexible metal structure) is used to widen the arteries and allow blood flow.
Surgery for chest pain on the left is used if treatment fails. It could be an angioplasty or a heart bypass.
Non-coronary heart diseases
This group of heart diseases can also cause chest pain on the left. But these diseases are very difficult to diagnose, because they are still not well understood by doctors. In addition, many of these diseases have very vague, indistinct symptoms. The most common non-coronary lesions of the cardiovascular system are pericarditis, arterial hypertension, also associated with the pericardium, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, heart defects, congenital and acquired, mitral valve prolapse, neurocirculatory dystonia (including 4 types of cardialgia), angina pectoris. Consider the most life-threatening diseases that cause heart pain in the chest on the left.
Acute pericarditis
This is an inflammation of the pericardium, the sac that covers the heart. It is called the heart sac or connective membrane of the heart. The role of the pericardium is to isolate the heart from all other organs that are located in the chest. The pericardium allows the heart to fill with blood better, and during physical overload it keeps our “motor” from stretching and moving from its anatomical place.
The pericardium is a cavity between two sheets of connective tissue. Inside, between the walls of the heart and the pericardium, there is a fluid that protects these leaves from friction. Liquids are not so small - 25 ml. When the pericardium becomes inflamed, there is chest pain on the left side.
Causes of pericarditis
Symptoms of acute pericarditis
Left chest pain associated with pericarditis is usually described as sharp or stabbing. It also occurs in the middle of the chest, aggravated by deep inspiration.
This pain is easily confused with pain due to a heart attack because it may radiate to the left side of the back or shoulder.
A distinguishing feature of acute pericarditis compared to a heart attack or ischemia is that the pain worsens when lying down and subsides when the person leans forward. This is due to the fact that when a person lies down, the inflamed membrane of the pericardium close to the heart, causing pain. When a person leans forward, a space is formed between the pericardium and the heart, and the pain in the chest on the left and in the middle subsides.
Concomitant symptoms - a person throws it into the cold, then into the heat, he has difficulty breathing or sore throat when swallowing.
Treatment of pericarditis
Viral pericarditis usually resolves after 7-21 days of treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. If there is a threat of tamponade, the doctor will puncture fluid from the pericardium through the skin. Drainage is also performed along with ultrasound, and excess fluid is pumped out of the pericardium.
Mitral valve prolapse
Causes of angina pectoris
Angina can be caused by a spasm, narrowing, or partial blockage of an artery that supplies blood to the heart.
The most common cause of angina is coronary heart disease, in which a blood clot or buildup of cholesterol inside blood vessels (atherosclerosis) blocks blood flow but does not completely block the blood vessels.
Angina can be caused by exercise, emotional stress, or an arrhythmia in which the heart beats very fast.
Symptoms of angina pectoris
Angina is sometimes similar to a heart attack, but occurs during physical exertion and disappears after rest, which never happens with a heart attack or ischemic attack. Angina becomes life-threatening when chest pain on the left occurs at rest, the heart rate or intensity increases.
Pain in angina pectoris does not go away after taking one tablet of nitroglycerin, as happens with a heart attack. You need at least three nitroglycerin tablets at intervals of five minutes for the attack to become less intense.
Diagnostics
Angina is diagnosed by the same methods doctors use to diagnose heart attacks.
The diagnosis of angina pectoris is made only after the possibility of a heart attack has been ruled out. This is done by analyzing cardiac enzymes, which we wrote about above.
Although an ECG may show abnormalities in the functioning of the heart, these changes are often treated.
Stress test: ECG monitoring during exercise and at rest. The test results are then compared to determine how stress is acting on the heart. This test looks for a blockage or congestion in the blood vessels leading to the heart.
Cardiac catheterization (insertion of a catheter) is used to identify blocked arteries.
A special type of diagnostics (angiography or arteriography) is used to detect blockage or other disorders of the blood vessels.
Treatment of angina pectoris
Nitroglycerin tablets under the tongue are the very first remedy for angina pectoris before the ambulance arrives. Nitroglycerin can help increase blood flow to blocked or narrowed arteries.
If chest pain continues for the next five minutes, another nitroglycerin tablet should be taken under the tongue. If there is no improvement, after five minutes, repeat the same action until the ambulance arrives.
In the hospital treatment of angina pectoris, β-blockers are used to stop an attack of chest pain on the left and in the middle. Representatives of these blockers are atenolol, metoprolol and bisoprolol.
Aortic aneurysm (other names are aortic dissection, aortic rupture)
The aorta is the main artery that supplies blood to vital organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and intestines. Aortic dissection means tearing of the inner lining of the aorta. It can lead to severe internal bleeding and cut off blood flow to vital organs. However, only 20-30 percent of people survive. An aneurysm (rupture) can occur in the aorta of the chest or abdomen. Men are at a higher risk of aortic rupture than women.
Causes of aortic dissection
Aortic rupture symptoms
Left chest pain associated with aortic dissection occurs suddenly and is characterized as "tearing, powerful". The pain may radiate to the back or between the shoulder blades. Because the aorta supplies blood to the entire body, symptoms of a ruptured aorta may include:
- pain like angina pectoris with shortness of breath
- dyspnea
- fainting
- abdominal pain
- symptoms of a stroke (numbness of the limbs and tongue, loss of motor function of one part of the body)
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of aortic dissection based on the patient's symptoms includes
- Chest X-ray (X-rays will show irregular contours of a torn aorta or its expansion).
- Echocardiography (with a specialized ultrasound of the heart, when the probe is inserted into the esophagus under local or general anesthesia).
- An aortic dissection can be very accurately identified by a doctor with a CT (computed tomography) scan of the chest or angiography.
Aortic rupture treatment
- Painkillers such as morphine, dopamine, mezaton
- Drugs that reduce blood pressure - diuretics, berlipril, anaprilin, diroton and others.
- Medicines that slow the heart rate and widen the arteries
- Surgery is required to cut (rupture) the aorta, which damages the ascending (bottom-up) part of the aorta.
Diseases of the esophagus that cause chest pain on the left
Often, chest pain on the left occurs due to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In particular, because of reflux disease, which is commonly called heartburn. The symptoms of this pain may be similar to a heart attack, but it is not.
Causes of Acid Reflux
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- Binge eating
- Acidity
- Disruption of the gastric sphincter
- diabetes
- scleroderma
Heartburn can be caused by any factor that reduces pressure on the lower esophagus, stops the activity of the esophagus, or causes prolonged emptying of the stomach. This condition can be caused by:
- eating foods high in fat
- nicotine use
- drinking alcohol
- caffeine intake during pregnancy
- certain drugs or hormones (eg, nitrates, calcium channel blockers, anticholinergics, estrogens, progesterone)
- Acid reflux and left chest pain can also be caused by yeast, fungi, viruses, bacteria, or irritation due to allergens.
Symptoms
- sharp pain that bothers a person in the left side of the chest
- pain radiating to the chest, back, neck and shoulder
- pain while swallowing
- bleeding in the esophagus
- heartburn
- salivation
- chest discomfort
- chest pressure
- profuse sweating
- pallor of the face
- nausea and vomiting
- sore throat
- sour or bitter taste in the mouth or throat
- hoarseness
- persistent dry cough.
Diagnostics
- Examination of symptoms and palpation of the chest
- Fluoroscopy
- Bernstein tests (when acid is injected into the esophagus to study the reaction to it)
- Esophagoscopy (examination of the esophagus with a flexible hose connected to a monitor where the doctor can see the results)
Treatment
You can reduce the pain in your left chest with acid reflux in a simple way - raise the head of the bed 15 cm higher or simply put a higher pillow under your head. So the caustic liquid from the stomach - acid - will not flow into the esophagus.
It is important to take drugs that reduce the acidity of the stomach - ranisan, for example, cimetidine
You don’t need to smoke, but on the contrary, you need to eat, but only healthy foods: oatmeal, vegetables, fruits, fried and fatty foods should be excluded, chocolate and coffee should be limited.
Sometimes a doctor will prescribe antacids, antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal drugs, drugs to relax the muscles in the esophagus, or a combination of both.
Pain in the chest on the left, caused by diseases of the respiratory system
These most common diseases include pulmonary embolism (thrombosis of an artery), spontaneous pneumothorax, pneumonia.
Pulmonary embolism
Spontaneous pneumothorax
A collapsed lung is a condition that occurs when air enters the space between the chest wall and lung tissue. Generally, negative pressure in the chest cavity allows the lungs to expand. When spontaneous pneumothorax occurs, air enters the chest cavity. When pressure balance is lost, the lungs are unable to re-expand. This cuts off the normal supply of oxygen to the body.
Spontaneous pneumothorax - causes
Spontaneous pneumothorax (collapse of the lung) occurs when a so-called air cushion forms around the lungs. The area into which air enters (and it should not get there) is called the pleural space.
Causes of pneumothorax
Breast injuries are the most common cause of this condition. Injuries can happen due to a blow, a fall, an awkward turn, injury, surgery.
Some very thin and tall people may suffer from spontaneous pneumothorax due to stretching of the lung tissue and abnormal air sacs that form at the top of the lungs. It is possible that these air sacs can burst from simple actions such as sneezing or coughing.
Other risk factors for pneumothorax are AIDS, pneumonia, emphysema, severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, cancer, antibiotic use
Weakness
Diagnosis of pneumothorax
- Spontaneous pneumothorax is diagnosed primarily by a physical examination and chest x-ray.
- CT (computed tomography) may be helpful to look for a small pneumothorax.
- Radiography of the abdominal cavity in the supine position on the left side.
Treatment
Pneumothorax that occurs for no apparent reason does not always require serious treatment. Sometimes it is enough for a person to spend six hours in the hospital under the supervision of a doctor and re-examine the breast with an x-ray.
If during this time the value of pneumothorax does not change, the patient is usually discharged with a recommendation to visit a doctor in two days.
If the patient develops new pain symptoms or the volume of pneumothorax increases, he will be placed for inpatient treatment.
Perforated viscera: A perforated organ is a hole or tear in the wall of any area of the gastrointestinal tract. This allows air to enter the abdomen, which irritates the diaphragm and can cause chest pain.
Treatment of pneumonia
Pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics, and a doctor prescribes pain medication to relieve chest pain on the left side.
Regardless of the cause of chest pain on the left, mandatory examinations by a doctor are needed. This will help in time and most importantly - to correctly determine the diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment. This will enable the person to recover and prevent chest pain on the left.
The human chest contains many organs, vessels and nerve endings. All organs of the upper chest are located next to each other.
When certain disorders occur, it can be difficult for a person to independently determine the cause of the ailment. Everyone knows that heart disease is the most common problem of modern people in middle and old age.
Therefore, if an unpleasant sensation or pain occurs in the chest, a person first of all assumes a heart disease. To clarify the situation and prescribe the right treatment, you must first visit a doctor.
Soreness can occur due to a disease that, without treatment, can cause, and may be the cause of minor problems that are not dangerous to health, easily corrected with the help of well-chosen therapy. Any organ or system inside the chest can cause pain and discomfort in the chest, on the right, on the left side, or in the middle.
The heart is an important and very complex organ in its structure. It has several departments that must clearly do their job, otherwise there are problems with well-being and various sensations.
Pumping a large volume of blood, the organ needs a good blood supply, so the vessels that can supply the organ with nutrients and oxygen come to the heart. Like any other organ in the human body, the heart can become inflamed and a target for infections.
Each of the above problems can cause not only discomfort and pain, but also a very serious attack of deterioration in general well-being.
If the patency of the coronary arteries is affected
Coronary or cardiac arteries supply the heart with blood continuously, because its constantly working cells cannot function without new blood. Without oxygen, the cells of the heart tissue begin to die after a few minutes. The longer the lack of air continues, the greater the area of tissue dies off.
Table number 1. Coronary artery problems that cause an attack of pain:
| Problem | What's happening | What does a person feel |
| Spasm of the coronary arteries | The lumen of the artery narrows due to the presence of coronary heart disease. This problem is formed against the background of the presence of atherosclerotic plaques that cling to the walls of blood vessels. In such a situation, additional spasm, which can occur for various reasons, causes a significant deterioration in blood circulation. | Soreness is acute, penetrating, concentrated behind the sternum. Often, pain radiates to the shoulder blade and arm from the side of the heart. The pain can be so significant that the person tries not to breathe so as not to provoke new discomfort. The skin of the patient's face may change - either pallor of the integument or redness is possible |
| angina pectoris | Unpleasant sensations occur with physical or psychological stress | The pain occurs for a short period of time and quickly passes, at the end of the attack, the person feels tired and exhausted. The sensations are almost always accompanied by panic and a strong fear of death. These psychological experiences increase the spasms of the heart vessels and worsen the condition. |
| rest angina | An attack occurs for no reason - a person is at rest or even sleeping | |
| myocardial infarction | The death of myocardial tissue cells is an extreme case of lack of oxygen supply to the organ. A sign of the onset of the condition is a lack of response to taking nitroglycerin | The condition is accompanied by such severe pain that shock and loss of consciousness are possible. The pain is described as burning, pressing. It arises in the area behind the chest, then spreads over the entire area of the chest, and then on the stomach. Atypical manifestations of the condition are possible, when the pain is first localized in unusual places - on the left hand in the little finger area, in the lower jaw, in the neck, in the area under the right rib, and in the abdomen |
Important: due to the variety of symptoms, the state of a heart attack can be difficult to clarify even for a physician without special equipment; an adult with severe pain in any part of the body and deterioration in well-being should immediately be in the hospital.
If there is an inflammatory process
The heart, as an organ, consists of several shells.
Table number 2. Heart shells:
Inflammatory phenomena can occur in each of these membranes, however, pain will be felt only when the pericardium and endocardium are affected.
Table number 3. Inflammatory diseases that cause pain:
| Problem | What's happening | What does a person feel |
| Myocarditis | It is a consequence of some inflammatory or infectious diseases, the condition develops most often 4 weeks after the disease provocateur | Soreness is similar to angina, lasts longer and increases with physical exertion. Well-being after the use of nitroglycerin does not change. Sensations have the following features: sharp, reminiscent of a prick, extending to other parts of the body. At the same time, there are problems with the respiratory system - there are sensations of suffocation in a dream and shortness of breath during the day. |
| Pericarditis | Inflammation of the outer heart membrane is also a consequence of inflammatory and infectious diseases in the body. | For the patient, the pain has the following features: dull, not stopping, but not intense, in rare cases it acquires the intensity of a pain attack. Pain increases with intense breathing and during movement. Therefore, patients avoid unnecessary movements and breathe shallowly. The inflammatory process provokes an increase in temperature, chills, general loss of strength and deviations from the norm in a clinical blood test. |
Other heart diseases
Table number 4. Other heart conditions that cause pain include:
| Problem | What's happening | What does a person feel |
| aortic aneurysm | This is the most common pathology of the largest heart vessel. In this condition, the lumen expands, it is caused by a pathological change in the connective tissue of the vessel. Such damage occurs with atherosclerosis, inflammation, congenital pathology, or injury to the vessel. | The pain is long-lasting and may not go away for several days. Localized in the upper chest, does not tend to spread to other parts of the body, does not go away after taking nitroglycerin. Sensations appear or intensify after physical exertion. In the event of a sharp deterioration in the condition, loss of consciousness, a person needs the help of doctors, since severe complications are possible with an aneurysm - dissection or breakthrough of the aorta, which are deadly conditions |
| Thromboembolism | A serious and dangerous condition in which a thrombus or its fragment breaks away from the place of attachment, rushes through the vessels with blood flow and gets stuck in the narrowest part of the vessel. Common pathology - blockage of the pulmonary artery, which supplies blood to the lungs | An early sign of a problem is significant pain in the sternum that does not radiate to other parts of the body and increases with inhalation. The pain is not stopped by painkillers, causes blue skin and shortness of breath |
Both of the above pathologies require immediate hospitalization of a person and emergency measures, including surgical intervention.
What to do with an attack of angina pectoris
When an attack of angina pectoris begins, a person should urgently take a nitroglycerin tablet. Sensations should pass in a maximum of 3 minutes. If this does not happen, then the patient should take a second pill.
Important: when taking nitroglycerin, a person needs to be in bed and not get up for some time after taking the drug, this is necessary to avoid injury in the event of a sudden loss of consciousness.
If, after repeated administration, the relief effect does not occur, then it is worth calling the ambulance station, because the lack of effect directly indicates the development of an attack into a myocardial infarction.
Why you can't live with pain
Important: pain in the heart area should be examined and treated under the supervision of a cardiologist.
Such heart attacks are unacceptable. Problems with the coronary vessels can lead to sudden death.
With prolonged and often recurring attacks of oxygen deficiency in the tissues of the heart, a heart attack occurs - the heart is no longer able to perform its main function of pumping blood. Heart failure develops, blood pressure drops rapidly.
A person in this situation needs to urgently go to the hospital, since only under conditions of constant supervision by a doctor can one count on a favorable outcome in the event of a myocardial infarction.
Important: it is not a rare case when a person suffers not very intense pain and continues to do his daily activities, so a microinfarction is transferred literally on his feet, and a person runs the risk of being left without the help of doctors at the most necessary moment at any time.
If the cause of the pain is disorders with the nervous system
The second most common causes of chest pain are diseases of the nervous system.
Table number 5. Problems of the nervous system that provoke the occurrence of pain in the chest:
| Problem | What's happening | What does a person feel |
| Cardioneurosis | A neurotic state is a typical response of the human body to the presence of a problem that cannot be solved. The source of the problem can be both physical pain and suffering, and mental pain and suffering. | Neurotic pains are special - they are long, almost constant, aching in nature. In the case of cardiac neurosis, they are located at the bottom and left of the chest. Additional signs of heart failure are absent at all or are not pronounced, but neurotic signs are clearly visible - anxiety, irritability, general weakness. Taking nitroglycerin does not bring any effect. In the treatment of this condition, it is very important to eliminate the psychological experience that triggers the neurosis, and also, if necessary, alleviate the condition by prescribing a sedative and sleeping pills. With menopausal neurosis, symptoms characteristic of this period join - emotional instability, increased sweating, chills, changes in the sensitivity of some areas of the skin |
| Climacteric neurosis | The period of hormonal restructuring of the female body provokes the occurrence of neurosis, and a change in metabolic processes provokes insufficient metabolism in the heart tissues |
Neurotic pain in the cardiac region is often very difficult to differentiate from ischemia, which has a different treatment strategy.
If the cause of the pain is problems with the digestive system
The stomach and other digestive organs are located very close to the heart, and problems with its functioning and pain can be mistaken for heart ailments. However, they have some distinguishing features that will help distinguish one problem from another.
Table number 6. Digestive ailments that cause pain that can be mistaken for heart pain:
| Problem | What's happening | What a person feels and distinctive features |
| Stomach ulcer | An ulcer is an injury to the mucous membrane that lines the stomach from the inside. The damaged area is negatively affected by gastric juice, so a person experiences pain on an empty stomach and some time after eating. Pain always goes away immediately after eating food, as food reduces the effect of the juice on the ulcer. | The pain in the sternum is sharp and prolonged, and can last long enough until the person eats something or takes medicine. Nitroglycerin will not affect this condition, the effect is provided by special drugs for the treatment of ulcers, as well as drugs for relieving spasms of the smooth muscles of the organs. Other symptoms of stomach problems join the pain - heartburn, vomiting, feeling of nausea |
| diaphragmatic hernia | This problem is the penetration of some of the digestive organs through the hole in the diaphragm from the space of the chest into the abdominal space. So when the diaphragm contracts, the organs will be squeezed | The pain is sudden, reminiscent of the feeling of angina pectoris, is not eliminated after taking nitroglycerin. Painful sensations appear when a person is in a horizontal position, in a dream, when changing the position of the body. When a person sits or stands, the pain quickly disappears. |
| Spasm of the gallbladder and its ducts | The liver and gallbladder are located on the right side of the abdominal cavity, but pain can also radiate to the left side of the peritoneum, including the area where the heart is located. In case of violation of the diet and overeating, these organs suffer and their spasm and violation of the outflow of bile occur. | The pain occurs sharp, shooting, or vice versa, pressing, pulling, especially after eating food that is excessively rich in fats. The condition is stopped by taking antispasmodics, in the long term diet is required |
| Acute pancreatitis | Inflammation of the pancreas causes pain in the left hypochondrium and may well be confused with heart problems | The pain can be quite severe, sometimes an attack can be confused with a myocardial infarction. Accompanied by sensations of vomiting. Soreness is stopped with difficulty, the most successful treatment is carried out in a hospital |
Important: if a woman experiences chest pain during pregnancy, then it is worth calling an ambulance as soon as possible and starting treatment, because we are talking about the health of two people.
If the cause of the pain is problems with the spine and ribs
Often, pain in the chest and abdomen is not caused by problems with the organs located in this area, but by pathological changes in the spine.
Table number 7. Spinal problems that cause pain in the chest area:
| Problem | What's happening | What does a person feel |
| Osteochondrosis | The most common disease affecting the condition of the spine is the gradual destruction of bone and cartilage tissue due to unbalanced nutrition and excessive physical exertion. The destruction of these structures causes subsidence of the spine and pinching of the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord. This is what causes pain. Depending on which nerve is pinched, pain can occur in different parts of the body. | The pain can be sharp, shooting, or constant. It does not go away when taking nitroglycerin and antispasmodics. Helps pain medication and heat on the area of the pinched nerve |
| Fracture of a rib or multiple ribs | A bone fracture in the sternum can provoke pain that will not have a clear localization | With a fracture, the pain will be sharp, it increases with the movement of the body and with respiratory movements. Pain is relieved by strong painkillers; displacement may require bone fusion manipulation or surgery |
If the cause of the pain is a lung disease
Pulmonary diseases, which are accompanied by an inflammatory process, cause various sensations, including soreness.
Table number 8. Lung problems causing chest pain:
| Problem | What's happening | What does a person feel |
| Pleura disease | Inflammation of the lining of the lung causes pain that can be confused with lung | Since the disease is inflammatory in nature, the pain may be similar to an inflammatory heart disease, such as pericarditis. |
| Pneumothorax or hydrothorax | These two states occur when air or liquid enters the area between the shells. It is most often a complication of acute or chronic lung disease. | Pain is more often localized on the side with which the affected lung is located. If the left organ suffers, then the pain can be confused with the heart. In addition to acute stabbing sensations, this pathology is accompanied by significant pulmonary symptoms - shortness of breath, sudden cyanosis of the skin, a drop in blood pressure, severe pain when moving, makes a person refuse to move in anticipation of help |
Important: pain in the sternum may be associated with an oncological process that develops in this area.
Only a doctor is able to determine the cause of soreness and poor health, after a thorough examination. Chest pain should alert even an absolutely healthy person and force him to make an appointment with a doctor.
If a similar symptom appears in an elderly person, then you can’t hesitate, with the development of a serious condition, every minute is worth its weight in gold.
There are many diseases that can be accompanied by pain in the left side of the chest when inhaling. Not in every case, pain occurs due to cardiac pathologies. About what are the causes of an unpleasant symptom, and in what cases you should immediately seek help, you will learn in this article.
General concepts
The respiratory process in humans has the following features:
- The dependence of breathing is not only on the work of the lungs. In the process of inhalation, the muscular layer of the diaphragm is involved. The diaphragm has the ability to stretch and contract, which ensures an even distribution of pressure in the abdominal and thoracic regions.
- Involvement of the heart in the process of breathing. The heart pumps blood, which provides oxygen to all organs and tissues.
- Special structure of the thoracic region. Bones and muscles are arranged in such a way that the thoracic region can narrow or expand, if necessary.
If any of these functions is violated, inflammation or squeezing occurs, pain occurs during breathing. Localization can be different, including on the left, in the chest area.
Neuralgia
Intercostal neuralgia is a pinched nerve endings. As a rule, pain is felt in the chest area, but may spread to the shoulder blade or collarbone.
Among the main manifestations of neuralgia:
- when pressed, the pain intensifies;
- an attack may be accompanied by convulsions;
- the intensity of sweat secretion increases;
- a slight tingling sensation is felt;
- numbness of the area of pinched endings may be observed;
- the pain is exacerbated by sneezing, coughing, deep breathing.
Pain in neuralgia is felt as burning. May be dull or sharp.
Ridge problems
The following pathologies of the spinal column are distinguished.
Osteochondrosis
It is a disease in which there are changes in the intervertebral disc.
It is characterized by such symptoms:
- feeling of numbness in the left hand;
- muscle weakness;
- in some cases, pain is observed that extends to the left hand;
- the intensity of pain changes if you change the position of the body;
- during physical exertion and deep inspiration, the pain intensifies.
The nature of the pain is predominantly aching. The pain does not subside throughout the attack.
Almost half of the entire adult population suffers from bouts of osteochondrosis.
Osteoporosis
This is the name of a disease in which there is not enough calcium in the bones and gradually they begin to break down.
During tilts, sharp turns of the body, an attempt to take a deep breath, a person may feel an attack of acute pain, which then persists for a long time.
Intervertebral hernia
This disease occurs due to malnutrition of the intervertebral disc and its subsequent destruction. The part of the disc that does not collapse begins to protrude beyond the vertebra and compress the nerve endings.
The symptomatology is:
- pain increases over a long period of time;
- the peak of pain is so strong that the person loses consciousness;
- pains extend to the neck and arm in the form of shooting sensations.
Diseases of the respiratory system
Among the lesions of the respiratory organs, pain on the left side of the chest is caused by diseases localized in the left side of the lungs.
Pneumonia
It occurs due to inflammation caused by viruses, bacteria or infections. It develops mainly against the background of weak immunity.
It manifests itself in the form of symptoms:
- chills;
- high body temperature;
- feeling of lack of oxygen;
- severe cough accompanied by sputum production.
The pain tends to get worse when you cough or when you take a breath.
Pulmonary embolism
It occurs due to clogging of the arteries through which blood enters the lungs.
Features of the disease:
- severe cough, which is accompanied by a lack of oxygen;
- wheezing and pain when breathing;
- elevated temperature;
- heart palpitations;
- secretion of sputum with an admixture of blood.
The pain is very severe and comes on suddenly.
If left untreated, a pulmonary embolism can lead to death.
Pleurisy
It manifests itself against the background of previous diseases or injuries in the form of inflammation of the lining of the lungs.
It is possible to distinguish signs of pathology:
- feeling of lack of oxygen;
- general malaise;
- dry cough;
- high body temperature;
- chills.
The pain manifests itself in the form of a burning sensation, it can be acute or dull, its intensity increases with inhalation, movement, change of position.
Pneumothorax
Its occurrence is associated with the accumulation of air in the lungs.
During an attack, there is:
- a state of panic;
- skin blanching;
- difficulties and pain during breathing;
- dry cough.
The pain is sharp, pressing.
Problems of the gastrointestinal tract
Pain that radiates to the left side of the chest when inhaling occurs with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and is often accompanied by other symptoms.
Ulcer
Pain is caused by serious lesions of the duodenum or stomach. Occur predominantly on an empty stomach. Often accompanied by heartburn.
Pancreatitis
A disease caused by changes in the tissues of the pancreas. The pain is localized in the lower part of the chest. Seizures are worse at night.
Esophagitis
A disease in which inflammation is localized on the mucous membrane of the esophagus. The pain is aggravated by swallowing, especially if the food is hard or hot. Manifested in the form of a strong burning sensation.
In some cases, with this disease, pain is felt on the left under the ribs. In addition, the disease is accompanied by bitterness in the mouth and indigestion.
Injuries
Very often, pain that prevents you from taking a full breath can be caused by various injuries and injuries to the left side of the chest.
rib fracture
It is accompanied by severe pain when inhaling, or changing the position of the body. Additionally, discomfort occurs due to the crunching of the edges of damaged ribs. In severe cases, fragments of the ribs damage the internal organs.
Collarbone injuries
Occurs with unsuccessful falls on the shoulder or arm, with a direct traumatic effect on the collarbone. The pain is localized directly in the region of the collarbone. May be accompanied by swelling of the skin around the injury, bleeding, displacement of bones.
bruises
Occurs with strong impacts. When inhaling, the pain intensifies, bruises and redness form around the impact site. Serious bruises are accompanied by bleeding and tissue ruptures.
Concussions
If head injuries are accompanied by pain when breathing, then the patient urgently needs hospitalization. There may also be increased heart rate and numbness of the extremities.
Tumors
They are the most serious cause of chest pain. Pain arises from the affected organ.
Lungs' cancer
It can occur due to regular exposure, against the background of previous diseases, such as tuberculosis or bronchitis.
The disease is often detected already in the later stages and is accompanied by manifestations:
- dyspnea;
- pain that does not allow breathing;
- accelerated heartbeat;
- dry cough, the attacks of which can last for a long time;
- blood-stained sputum.
An increase in the frequency of seizures may indicate the progression of the pathology.
osteosarcoma
So called tumors of the ribs. They are accompanied by severe pulling pain, which is localized on the side of the lesion, it is especially felt at the entrance and at night, when negative sensations intensify. In the later stages of the disease, swelling of the tissues over the affected rib is observed.
heart disease
A common cause of pain in the left side of the chest is heart disease.
angina pectoris
Occurs with vasoconstriction and malnutrition of the heart.
Main features:
- aggravated by stress or after heavy physical exertion, rapid breathing;
- attacks occur closer to the night or early in the morning;
- pain stops after taking drugs for angina pectoris;
- pain extends to the left arm or shoulder blade.
When the pain is predominantly aching.
It is caused by the growth of plaques that block the flow of blood through the vessels, and the almost complete blockage of the artery adjacent to the heart.
A common manifestation is:
- the pain is so strong that the person may lose consciousness;
- an attack cannot be stopped by taking Nitroglycerin or resting for about 20-30 minutes;
- extend to the left arm, shoulder blade and jaw on the left side;
- the pain then grows, then subsides, each time becoming more pronounced;
- observed nausea, shortness of breath;
- it is difficult to inhale and exhale;
- appears;
- cold sweat appears on the skin;
- stomach upset may occur.
The pain is severe, seems to tear, accompanied by burning.
Pericarditis
This is the name of the inflammation of the outer heart membrane caused by infection.
Allocate signs:
- increased pain when lying down and weakening when sitting;
- a long period of attack with rare interruptions;
- pain does not spread to other parts of the body;
- it is impossible to stop the attack with nitroglycerin;
- pain is accompanied by weakness;
- the temperature rises.
The nature of the pain is defined as stabbing.
Endocarditis
It is an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. As a rule, pain occurs already in the later stages of the development of the disease.
In general, the manifestations are as follows:
- the pain intensifies with physical exertion, strong feelings, deep breathing;
- discomfort extends to the left arm or neck;
- body temperature rises to small levels and soon drops to normal levels;
- attacks are accompanied by chills and fever;
- the patient's skin turns pale;
- in a vertical position, the patient feels dizzy and headache.
By nature, the pain is aching, of relatively low intensity.
Mitral valve pathology
This disease can be congenital or develop against the background of other heart diseases. It occurs due to the "bending" of the valve in the region of the left atrium.
Features of this pathology:
- the pain is not intense;
- the attack is accompanied;
- there may be dizziness, in some cases - fainting;
- the person experiences nausea;
- there is increased sweating;
- The patient is often depressed.
The pain is described as "bursting", preventing a full breath from being taken.
Aortic aneurysm with dissection
Occurs when an enlargement forms in the aorta. Over time, it spreads to larger areas, dissecting the walls of the aorta. This leads to its thinning and increased vulnerability.
The condition occurs due to high blood pressure, blockage of blood vessels or syphilis.
It is characterized by symptoms:
- pain extends to the neck and lower jaw;
- in some cases, pain covers the entire chest, does not allow breathing;
- attacks can last several hours, and can stretch for several days;
- the patient may have blue skin on the face;
- jugular veins in the neck swell.
It has very severe pain.
Aortitis
This disease occurs against the background of infections, reduced immunity or due to diseases of the internal organs. It is characterized by inflammation of the membranes of the aortic thoracic region.
Signs of the disease should be called:
- negative sensations affect the neck and the area between the shoulder blades;
- on one of the hands, the pulse may not be felt, it is not possible to measure the pressure.
Patients complain of pressing, burning pain in the left side of the chest.
When do you need to see a doctor immediately?
If you experience symptoms of any of the described diseases, you should seek the advice of a doctor.
But there are cases when the patient needs help urgently.
You need to call an ambulance if:
- the pain is sudden, with weakness and lack of oxygen;
- the attack cannot be removed with the help of Nitroglycerin;
- the patient lost consciousness;
- there is no improvement within 20 minutes;
- the heartbeat changes, the pressure increases or drops sharply, the pulse is weakly palpable.
The occurrence of pain in the left side of the chest when inhaling is a serious symptom. This can be associated with both heart disease and pathologies of the musculoskeletal, respiratory systems and organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, at the first manifestations of negative sensations, you should seek the advice of a doctor.
Pain in the sternum is a common symptom of cardiovascular disease. Left chest pain does not always indicate a heart attack. Disorders of the digestive, endocrine, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems are possible causes of pain in the region of the heart. Pain in the left side of the chest can radiate to the arm, leg, head, shoulder or neck and manifest as disorders from various organs.
Diseases of the spinal column
To find out the cause that caused pain in the left side of the chest, you need to contact a specialist and undergo a series of examinations.
Why does pain occur on the left side of the chest?
The activity of internal organs in changing environmental conditions is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Nerve tissue emerges from the spinal cord and branches throughout the body. The endings of nerve fibers are intertwined with the musculoskeletal system, forming the somatic nervous system. This part of the peripheral nervous system is involved in a number of important tasks: delivering motor signals to the muscles and sensory information to the brain.
Pain signals from damaged areas are transmitted to the spinal cord. Then the information enters the brain, and the strength of the damage inflicted on the body is assessed. In a healthy body, weak pain signals are suppressed at the initial stage of information processing. In some people, the “suppression of weak signals” system is disrupted, so even mild pain can radiate to all parts of the body. In pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) or spine, when the transmission of pain signals is disturbed, the left side of the chest often hurts.
The most common causes of pain at the top of the sternum:
- Mental disorders.
- Diseases of the skeletal system.
- Congenital or acquired heart defects.
- myofascial syndrome.
- Pathology of the abdominal organs.
Heart problems
Cardiac ischemia caused by atherosclerotic plaques reduces the volume of circulating blood. The blood supply to the myocardium is disturbed and anginal pain occurs. Angina pectoris is a companion of people with ischemic disease. Acute pain is felt as a squeezing vise or spasms that disappear when physical activity or emotional stress stops. At rest, angina is extremely rare. Pain is given to the neck and even to the arm. The duration of the attack is very variable: from a few seconds to an hour. Pain in the sternum begins suddenly with the following factors:
- Excessive physical activity.
- Psycho-emotional stress.
- High or very low ambient temperature.
- Fatty food intake.
- The use of stimulant psychotropic substances, for example: nicotine or caffeine.
Angina pectoris can turn into a life-threatening condition - myocardial infarction. With a heart attack, the pain syndrome changes and intensifies many times over. The pain is characterized by clouding or loss of consciousness, nausea or vomiting.
Pain in myocardial infarction Inflammatory heart diseases also contribute to the occurrence of pain in the chest on the left. Myocarditis is an infectious, idiopathic or allergic lesion of the heart, which is accompanied by a pulling dull pain. The disorder progresses gradually and is not manifested by paroxysms (attacks). An increase in body temperature, pain in the side, weakness are symptoms of myocarditis. The acute form of the disease is manifested by cyanosis (cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes), swelling of the legs and weakness. Myocarditis often develops after infectious diseases.
Inflammation of the outer lining of the heart is called pericarditis. Fluid accumulates in the cavities of the heart, which interferes with the normal functioning of cardiomyocytes. There is a stabbing pain in the left side of the chest, which is similar to a heart attack. Often the upper part of the chest hurts. Pain recedes when changing position or tilting the body forward. The person experiences chills, difficulty breathing, and with a sigh, the sensation of pain intensifies.
Mitral valve prolapse is a condition characterized by abnormalities in the functioning of the heart valves. Pathology in the development of connective tissue leads to the fact that the valve cannot close the valves sufficiently. In severe cases, this leads to blood leaking into the left upper chamber of the heart. Attacks are accompanied by panic fear, arrhythmia, fainting and difficulty breathing. Psycho-emotional overstrain is the cause of such conditions. In some uncomplicated cases, mitral valve prolapse does not pose a danger to human health and is a variant of the norm.
The most dangerous condition for the cardiovascular system is aortic dissection. Strong vasodilation (increase in the lumen) of a certain part of the vessel makes the walls fragile and thin. This leads to the fact that even a weak impact of the external environment can cause aortic dissection and death. There are severe pains in the left side of the sternum, which are stronger than the pain of myocardial infarction. Pressing, cutting, aching and stabbing pains predominate. Often, patients experience such severe and sharp pain that they compare it to a stake in the chest.
Symptoms that are inherent in aortic dissection:
- Tachycardia.
- Dizziness.
- Syncope (fainting).
- Pale face.
- Acrocyanosis (cyanosis).
Aortic dissection caused by an infectious pathogen is manifested by a febrile syndrome. The patient practically does not answer questions and rarely remains conscious for a long time. It is urgent to call an ambulance team and hospitalize the patient.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Hyperacidity, diabetes mellitus, mental illness are the causes of gastroesophageal reflux. The outflow of stomach acid into the esophagus causes inflammation, accompanied by pain on the left side of the sternum, a sour taste and belching with an unpleasant odor. Overeating is a risk factor. You need to eat fractionally, but regularly.
In almost all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, there is pain in the sternum on the left. Symptoms that are inherent in gastrointestinal disorders:
- Increased pain after eating.
- Burning, often itching.
- Sensation of a foreign body.
- Belching with an unpleasant smell.
- Nausea.
- Pain in left side radiating to left arm.
- High body temperature.
Why does my left breast hurt?
If it stabs in the left breast, the pain changes depending on the position - this is possibly osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Careless movements, coughing or sneezing can greatly increase the sensation of pain under the chest or in the region of the heart. Often stabs in the left side or in the upper part of the sternum due to overeating. If it hurts in the region of the heart, and the force does not change when you inhale or change the position of the body, this is a myocardial infarction. The occurrence of pain with a deep breath indicates the presence of intercostal neuralgia. When you take a deep breath, the diaphragm expands and puts pressure on the pinched nerve, which leads to increased pain in the upper chest.
mental illness
Anxiety spectrum disorders often cause heart attack-like symptoms. Pain occurs due to pathological foci of excitation in the peripheral nervous system. Often patients are absolutely healthy, and their condition does not pose a threat. Anxiety disorders arise due to an imbalance in the neurotransmitter systems - norepinephrine and serotonin, which regulate the level of anxiety.
Blue spot - a source of vivacity Norepinephrine projections of the blue spot are involved in maintaining alertness and mobilizing mental resources during times of stress. Serotonin projections of the raphe nucleus control a person's mood. An imbalance in the work of these systems leads to the fact that a person becomes overly active. This excessive activity excites the sympathetic nervous system involved in the fight-or-flight response. Hyperkinesis (muscle twitching), tremor, dizziness, heart pain are the consequences of such conditions.
Panic attack symptoms:
- Derealization/depersonalization.
- Dizziness.
- Fear of death.
- Tachycardia.
- High blood pressure.
- Extrasystoles.
- Tremor of the limbs.
- Pain from above or at the level of the sternum.
If the symptoms above are accompanied by severe pain in the heart, this means that an ambulance should be called.
Important! According to the latest data, men are much more likely to have a heart attack, and men are more prone to mental disorders than women.
Some psychiatric disorders can lead to potentially dangerous cardiovascular conditions, such as takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
How are the causes of chest pain diagnosed?
The GP will begin with a medical history and physical examination of the patient. If during auscultation (listening) noises are detected or there is a suspicion of cardiovascular pathology, additional examinations are carried out to establish the exact cause. If after heart surgery it hurts on the left side of the sternum, and the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, you need to re-diagnose.
A number of mandatory examinations necessary for differential diagnosis:
- ECG is a method for studying the electrical activity of the heart. Electrocardiography converts electrical impulses into a paper tape that displays the heart rate.
- Radiography is used to localize bruises or injuries of various etiologies. Helps to establish changes or deformation of the spinal column.
- Clinical and biochemical blood tests to look for signs of inflammation or signs of myocardial infarction. In some cases, the amount of high and low density lipoproteins, total cholesterol and liver enzymes is determined to exclude a number of other pathological conditions.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity reveals problems caused by injuries or diseases of the internal organs.
- Stress test (veloergometry) allows you to detect hidden coronary problems and the initial stage of coronary heart disease.
After collecting an anamnesis, depending on the etiology of the disease, conservative or surgical intervention is prescribed.
Persistent chest pain: treatment and prevention
Treatment of pain in the left side of the chest depends on the etiology of the disease. To find out the cause of the symptoms, you need to contact your doctor. Do not take medications without a doctor's prescription.
In cardiovascular diseases, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers are prescribed, which reduce myocardial oxygen demand. Acetylsalicylic acid is used to thin the blood and reduce platelet aggregation. Antihypertensive drugs are effective in high blood pressure and prevention of hypertensive crisis. Statins, drugs that lower blood cholesterol levels, are used to treat high cholesterol levels.
For gastrointestinal disorders, antacids, adsorbents and a treatment table are prescribed, depending on the cause of the disease. It is necessary to abandon choleretic, acidic substances that enhance intestinal motility: caffeine, nicotine, spicy or fatty foods. If the left side of the chest hurts after eating a certain type of food, you should refuse it.
Pressing pain in the chest area is a dangerous symptom that can have an acute or chronic course and occur in isolation or in combination with other signs. Most often, the cause of this condition is a violation in the work of the inner and outer layers of the heart muscle (myocardium and pericardium), but sometimes pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, neurological diseases, and even diseases of the digestive tract can cause pain.
To get rid of unpleasant symptoms and prevent deterioration of well-being, it is necessary to correctly determine the cause of pain and squeezing. To do this, you need to contact a local therapist or cardiologist. If a person has pressure in the sternum and it is difficult to breathe, he will be assigned laboratory tests and other diagnostic methods (chest x-ray, ultrasound of the heart, ECG, etc.).
When talking about pressure in the chest area, most often they mean a feeling of compression and squeezing, which can occur on the left or right of the sternum, or in the middle. The symptom may be accompanied by burning, sharp or dull pain, tingling, difficulty breathing. Severe dull pain can radiate to the interscapular zone, forearm, collarbone and neck.
Simultaneously with the feeling of squeezing, the patient may experience other signs, for example:
- pale skin (sometimes mucous membranes);
- burning, cramps and tingling in the chest area;
- a slight increase in temperature (up to 37.2-37.3 °);
- an attack of asphyxia (suffocation);
- cramps of the calf muscles;
- pain in the back, lower back and coccyx;
- fluctuations in blood pressure.
Note! These symptoms do not always appear. Clinical manifestations of pathology depend on the cause that caused its occurrence. For example, with problems with the heart, the patient often has pathological pallor of the skin and difficulty breathing. In diseases of a neurological nature, involuntary muscle contractions (cramps) and shooting pain in the lower back, neck, or forearm are common symptoms.
Pressure in the chest can also be acute or chronic. A one-time attack is most often not associated with any violations and occurs under the influence of negative factors, which include:
If attacks of pressure in the sternum, accompanied by shortness of breath, appear periodically, it is important to identify the cause, as there may be serious disturbances in the functioning of vital organs.
Video: 3 tests for chest pain. How to find out what hurts behind the sternum
Presses behind the sternum, more on the left
Squeezing on the left side of the chest most often indicates problems in the work of the heart. The most common of these are heart attack and angina pectoris. With these diseases, the feeling of squeezing is accompanied by acute pain behind the sternum, asphyxia, fluctuations in blood pressure. In an acute attack, cyanosis of individual areas of the skin may appear.
Important! If pressure behind the sternum appeared against the background of severe pain, a sharp drop in pressure, the reason may be in a rapidly developing heart attack. In this case, the patient may have a cold sweat that has a sticky consistency. All these signs are the reason for calling the medical team and providing emergency care.
Another pathology with left-sided compression of the sternum - aortic aneurysm. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the human body, consisting of three sections. With an aneurysm, the outer membranes of the aorta are separated and blood accumulates in them, which presses on nearby soft tissues. It is this pressure that causes pain and a feeling of compression of the chest on the left side.
Pressure in the chest is not always caused by cardiac pathologies. In some cases, the cause of an attack can be diseases of the digestive tract. The most common of them pancreatitis. This is a disease in which the tissues of the pancreas become inflamed. Pressure in the chest with pancreatitis occurs mainly after eating and may be accompanied by pain in the abdomen and dull pain in the abdominal region.
The same symptoms are typical for diseases of the esophagus. For example, when hernia of the esophagus pressure in the sternum, difficult and painful breathing appear after almost every meal, especially if the patient does not follow the recommended diet and makes errors in the amount of food consumed.
Important! The patient may experience difficulty breathing and bursting (pressure) of the sternum with neurological diseases of the spine, in which nerve endings are clamped. To get rid of painful symptoms, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination, according to the results of which the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment (it may include anti-inflammatory injections, physiotherapy methods, therapeutic exercises, etc.).
Pressure in the chest in the middle
If a person has pressure in the middle of the sternum, the reason is most likely a disease of the musculoskeletal system. The most common of these is scoliosis. With this pathology, there is a lateral deformation of the vertebrae and their deviation to the right or left side of the axis of the spine. Deviated vertebrae put pressure on nearby soft tissues and cause a feeling of sharp compression in the chest area.
Important! Scoliosis progresses very quickly and is difficult to correct, so it is necessary to treat the disease immediately after its diagnosis. This is especially true when it comes to children. According to WHO statistics, every third child aged 3 to 7 years old has initial signs of scoliosis, so parents should pay much attention to the physical health of their children.
The same symptoms can occur with other pathologies of the spinal column, including:
- osteochondrosis of the thoracic or cervical region - degenerative disorders in the structure of the articular cartilage of the spine and intervertebral discs;
- Bechterew's disease - systemic pathology of the joints (spondyloarthritis);
- herniated intervertebral discs.
The intensity of pain in these diseases depends on the localization of the process, the stage of the disease (acute or chronic) and the individual pain threshold. If the pressure in the middle part of the chest is repeated regularly, it is necessary to consult a specialist, since pathologies of the musculoskeletal system can be successfully treated only in the initial stages.
Pressure and compression on the right side
The classification of causes that cause compression of the sternum and make breathing difficult is very diverse. It is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis based on the patient's complaints and the available clinical symptoms. The patient must undergo the necessary diagnostic examinations and take tests so that the doctor can identify not only the underlying disease, but also associated complications, as well as the degree of damage to internal organs and the stage of the pathological process.
Classification of diseases accompanied by pressure on the right side of the chest
Group of diseases What signs does the doctor evaluate? Necessary examinations (mandatory) Pathologies of the heart and blood vessels Heart rate, blood pressure, pulse Ultrasound of the heart and blood vessels, electrocardiogram Neurological diseases The appearance of pain and a feeling of squeezing in the region of the heart with the right hand raised up ultrasound, radiography Diseases of the ENT organs Pressure sensation when swallowing Examination of the tissues of the pharynx, radiography of the paranasal sinuses (if sinusitis is suspected) Diseases of the pulmonary system The presence and nature of cough, sputum production, body temperature indicators Chest x-ray, fluorography Pathologies of the digestive system Painful syndrome after eating FGDS, laboratory tests of blood and urine Important! Some pathologies can pose a mortal danger to humans. For example, with aortic dissection, the patient's death occurs in about 5% of cases (provided there is no treatment or untimely assistance). With a heart attack, this figure is several times higher (more than 75%), so it is important not to endure discomfort, but to immediately seek medical help.
Video - How to distinguish true pain in the heart from other pain
What to do if it presses behind the sternum and it is difficult to breathe?
The first thing to do when such symptoms appear is to call an ambulance team, especially if the pain is of high intensity and is accompanied by a pronounced attack of asphyxia. The patient must be seated on a chair with his head tilted slightly forward. If the condition is critical, a horizontal position with legs raised up (a stack of books or a few rolled towels can be placed under them) is recommended.
It is very important to provide fresh air. Regardless of weather conditions, it is necessary to open all the windows (avoiding a draft). If the weather is warm outside, you can leave the windows open. Remove all jewelry, accessories and clothing that can squeeze the skin from the patient's body: belts, watches, bracelets, ties, etc.
Of the medical preparations, the use of " Nitroglycerin"(1 tablet under the tongue). If relief does not occur, after 5-6 minutes, you can give the patient another tablet. Other medicines should only be given if the person has a chronic illness and the medicines have been prescribed by a doctor.
Pressure in the chest is not only unpleasant, but also a very dangerous symptom. In no case should you self-medicate with such signs, since some methods (for example, the use of warming ointments for osteochondrosis) can be harmful in other pathologies. In order to accurately establish the diagnosis and identify the cause, it is necessary to consult a doctor: a general practitioner, a cardiologist or a neurologist. check out the link. read on our website.
Video: Chest pain with neurosis
