Even a slight pain in the chest makes our heart race, doesn't it? It's very normal to have a fear that comes to mind, "Oh, is this a sign of a heart attack?" But did you know that not all chest pains are related to the heart? Sometimes this pain comes not from the heart or lungs inside our chest cavity, but from the muscles, bones, or cartilage that make up that cavity. In medicine, we call this "Musculoskeletal Chest Pain". Today, we will talk about this simply.
How do you distinguish this pain from heartache?
This is the biggest problem that many people have. There are some clear differences between heart-related pain and muscle-related pain. But remember, it is not advisable to self-diagnose based on these symptoms . If you have chest pain, it is safest to see a doctor immediately to find out the exact cause. Sometimes both of these conditions can occur together.
But for the sake of awareness, let's look at the difference between these two types of pain.
| Symptoms of chest pain that may be caused by heart disease (Typical/Cardiac Chest Pain) | Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Chest Pain |
|---|---|
| My chest feels tight and constricted. | A persistent pain in the same place. You can point to it with your finger and say, "This is where it hurts." |
| The pain may spread to the neck, jaw, shoulders, or arms. | The pain usually does not spread to other areas. |
| It may be accompanied by other symptoms such as sweating, nausea, and difficulty breathing. | There may be swelling, bruising, or increased pain when pressing on the painful area. |
| The pain increases when you exercise or get tired. It decreases when you rest. | The pain increases when turning the chest, taking a deep breath, coughing, or sneezing. |
Remember, these are just common symptoms. If you experience chest pain, no matter what it is, seek medical advice immediately. Don't hesitate to go to the Emergency Department (ETU) if necessary.
Why does this kind of muscle and bone pain occur?
There could be many reasons for this. Some are very simple, while others require a little more attention. Let's look at some of the main reasons.
Main reasons
| Reason | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Muscle Strains | Chest muscles can become strained when playing sports, lifting weights, or doing the same type of work over and over again. |
| Rib Fractures | A rib can break or split from something like a fall or an accident. It can cause severe pain when taking a deep breath. |
| Costochondritis | This is the most common cause. It is caused by swelling of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone (sternum) in the center of the chest. The pain is felt when you put your hand on it. |
| Arthritis | Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis can cause swelling and pain in the joints of the chest. |
| Fibromyalgia | This is a condition that causes muscle pain and fatigue throughout the body. Chest pain can also be a part of this . |
Other rare causes
- Thoracic Spine Issues: Sometimes pain caused by a problem in the spine (the spine behind the chest), such as a herniated disk, can also be felt in the chest.
- Tietze Syndrome: This is similar to ``Costochondritis``, but in this case, there is a clear swelling at the site of the pain.
- Precordial Catch Syndrome: This is a sudden, sharp pain that lasts a few seconds and is not dangerous. It occurs especially in young people. It can occur when the body is bent over.
- Infections: Some viral infections can cause chest pain and swelling. If this pain is accompanied by a fever, that should also be considered.
- Tumors: This is a very rare cause. When cancer spreads (metastasizes) to the bones of the chest, such as the lungs or breasts, it can cause pain. But before you worry about this, you should consider other common causes.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on the cause of the pain. Your doctor will be the one to give you the best solution.
- Rest: It is very important to stay away from activities that increase pain for a while.
- Hot or cold compresses: Applying a hot water bottle or ice pack to the painful area can provide relief.
- Painkillers: You can use paracetamol or other painkillers (e.g. NSAIDs) recommended by your doctor.
- Topical Creams: There are also various types of creams that are applied to the area of pain.
- Physiotherapy: In some cases, physiotherapy exercises are recommended to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility.
- Treatment of the underlying disease: If the pain is caused by a chronic disease such as arthritis, you should seek treatment from a specialist (e.g., a rheumatologist) who specializes in that disease.
Take-Home Message
- Any new chest pain, especially if it is severe, should be reported to a doctor immediately to make sure it is not a heart condition.
- Musculoskeletal chest pain is usually localized , painful when pressed, and worsens with movement or coughing.
- According to your symptomsAvoid self-diagnosing. It can be dangerous.
- This pain can often be controlled with rest, simple painkillers, and hot/cold applications.
- If the pain does not subside after treatment or if new symptoms appear, see your doctor again .
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is Irregular Heartbeat / Arrhythmia?
Normally, our heart beats in a very regular rhythm, like tapping on a table. But 'Irregular Heartbeat' is a disease in which that rhythm is completely disrupted, 'Skipped beats', or 'Fluttering'! This is an electrical short circuit in the heart's electrical system! This can lead to blood clots and a stroke, which can be fatal!
💬 What are the main reasons why this irregular heartbeat is beating like crazy?
The main reason for this is heart damage! 1) Nerve damage due to a previous heart attack (Myocardial Infarction). 2) Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) - A severe irregular heartbeat that occurs in older people, causing the upper chambers of the heart to quiver like crazy. 3) Electrolyte imbalances. 4) Excessive stress and excessive caffeine consumption.
💬 When you have an irregular heartbeat, what are the 'fatal/emergency situations' in which you should go to the hospital immediately without staying at home?
If you miss a beat but don't feel any pain, don't panic. But the biggest danger! If this rhythm change is accompanied by 1) a squeezing/crushing pain in the middle of the chest (Chest pain / Heart attack), 2) shortness of breath, 3) blackout, dizziness, and loss of consciousness (Syncope / Cardiac Arrest), and 4) stroke, you should immediately go to the hospital (ECG / Defibrillator)!
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