STABBING PAIN IN CHEST: ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK ?
- Muscle strain or costochondritis: This is a common cause of chest pain, especially if the pain is sharp and worsens with movement or deep breaths. It’s caused by inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone.
- Heartburn or acid reflux: This can cause a burning or stabbing pain in the chest, often accompanied by a sour taste in your mouth.
- Panic attack: Anxiety and panic attacks can sometimes mimic heart attack symptoms, including sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, and sweating.
- Pleuritis: This is inflammation of the lining of the lungs. It can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing.
- Pulmonary embolism: This is a blood clot in the lung. It can cause sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood (in some cases). This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
- Pericarditis: This is inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. It can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breaths or lying down.
- Heart attack: While less common, a stabbing pain in the chest can be a symptom of a heart attack. This is a serious medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
Here are some warning signs that your chest pain could be serious:
- Pain that radiates to your jaw, shoulder, arm, back, or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid heart rate
If you are experiencing any of these warning signs in addition to chest pain, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Again, it’s important to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis for your chest pain. They can perform a physical examination, take your medical history, and order tests such as an EKG or chest X-ray to determine the cause of your pain and recommend the best course of treatment.