What are six common non cardiac causes of chest pain?
James Craig
Published Jan 11, 2026
What are the most common causes of noncardiac chest pain?
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). ...
- Esophageal muscle spasms. ...
- Achalasia. ...
- Esophageal hypersensitivity. ...
- Inflammation of the esophagus. ...
- Abnormal esophageal tissue.
What are 5 causes of chest pain?
Possible causes of chest pain
- Muscle strain. Inflammation of the muscles and tendons around the ribs can result in persistent chest pain. ...
- Injured ribs. ...
- Peptic ulcers. ...
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) ...
- Asthma. ...
- Collapsed lung. ...
- Costochondritis. ...
- Hiatal hernia.
What are 4 common causes of chest pain?
Chest pain may be caused by angina or a heart attack. Other causes of chest pain can include indigestion, reflux, muscle strain, inflammation in the rib joints near the breastbone, and shingles. If in doubt about the cause of your chest pain, call an ambulance.
What is non-cardiac chest pain like?
Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a term used to describe chest pain that resembles heart pain (also called angina) in patients who do not have heart disease. The pain typically is felt behind the breast bone (sternum) and is described as oppressive, squeezing or pressure-like.
How can you tell the difference between cardiac and non-cardiac chest pain?
Classically, cardiac chest pain is in the left chest. However, it may occur in the center or right chest. Non-cardiac chest pain may have many of the above symptoms. However, non-cardiac chest pain may change with respiration, cough, or position.
17 related questions foundWhat is asymptomatic chest pain?
Abstract. Silent (asymptomatic) myocardial ischemia (SMI) is defined as a transient alteration in myocardial perfusion in the absence of chest pain or the usual anginal equivalents.
How do I know if my chest pain is muscular?
The pain experienced from a pulled chest muscle can be either sharp or dull and it can be more pronounced with deep inhales and exhales. Other signs of chest muscle strain include swelling, bruising, and muscle spasms.
What can mimic angina?
Angina can be confused with gallbladder disease, stomach ulcers and acid reflux. It usually goes away within a few minutes with rest or with the use of nitroglycerin. Angina is not the same as a heart attack although the symptoms may be similar. Chest pain that causes a heart attack does not typically stop.
What is atypical chest pain?
“Atypical chest pain is any chest pain that doesn't meet criteria for a common or obvious diagnosis,” Dr. Cooper said. “It's an oddball or grab bag diagnostic category—not very precise or helpful, actually.”
What is the most common cause of chest pain?
You likely feel a sharp pain when you breathe, cough, or sneeze. The most common causes of pleuritic chest pain are bacterial or viral infections, pulmonary embolism, and pneumothorax. Other less common causes include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and cancer.
What causes pain in middle of chest between breasts?
Costochondritis (kos-toe-kon-DRY-tis) is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). Pain caused by costochondritis might mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.
What are three common cardiac causes of chest pain?
Examples of heart-related causes of chest pain include:
- Heart attack. A heart attack results from blocked blood flow, often from a blood clot, to the heart muscle.
- Angina. Angina is the term for chest pain caused by poor blood flow to the heart. ...
- Aortic dissection. ...
- Inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis).
What does radiating chest pain mean?
Pain from a heart attack may sometimes radiate to the jaw and teeth. Chest pain is a major symptom of heart attack, but other symptoms such as weakness, shortness of breath, nausea, or vomiting may also occur. Symptoms of a possible heart attack include chest pain and pain that radiates down the shoulder and arm.
What is unilateral chest pain?
Pleuritic chest pain is often described by patients as being sharp and focused in nature. Characteristically the pain is aggravated by any action involving a vigorous inspiration/expiration, e.g. sneezing, laughing, coughing, deep breathing etc. It is usually unilateral.
How do I know if my chest pain is anxiety?
Anxiety Chest Pain Symptoms
Sharp, shooting, or stabbing pain. Persistent, dull aching. Tightness, tension, or pressure. A burning sensation.
What is Nstemi diagnosis?
An NSTEMI is diagnosed when your EKG does not show the type of abnormality seen in a STEMI but your blood tests show that your heart is stressed. Unstable angina. This is the least severe type of ACS. It can be caused when a blood clot blocks a coronary artery partially or totally.
What are the 3 types of angina?
There are three types of angina:
- Stable angina is the most common type. It happens when the heart is working harder than usual. ...
- Unstable angina is the most dangerous. It does not follow a pattern and can happen without physical exertion. ...
- Variant angina is rare. It happens when you are resting.
What are the three types of angina?
Types of Angina
- Stable angina.
- Unstable angina.
- Microvascular Angina.
- Vasospastic or variant angina.
What part of the chest hurts with angina?
Angina is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort caused by a temporary disruption in the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. People describe angina discomfort as a squeezing, suffocating or burning feeling – usually in the centre of the chest, behind the breastbone.
What's the difference between chest pain and angina?
Chest discomfort/chest pain, also known as angina, is a major symptom of heart disease. Angina occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen due to critical narrowing of coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. This makes your heart cry out for more blood. And this cry is symptomised as chest pain.
How do you rule out angina?
an electrocardiogram (ECG) – a test to check your heart's rhythm and electrical activity. a coronary angiography – a scan taken after having an injection of a dye to help highlight your heart and blood vessels. an exercise ECG – an ECG carried out while you're walking on a treadmill or using an exercise bike.
Should I worry about chest pain that comes and goes?
If you have chest pain that comes and goes, you should be sure to see your doctor. It's important that they evaluate and properly diagnose your condition so that you can receive treatment. Remember that chest pain can also be a sign of a more serious condition like a heart attack.
How can you tell the difference between heart pain and muscle pain?
The pain of a heart attack differs from that of a strained chest muscle. A heart attack may cause a dull pain or an uncomfortable feeling of pressure in the chest. Usually, the pain begins in the center of the chest, and it may radiate outward to one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Can sleeping position cause chest pain?
Injury to the Chest Wall
If the muscles and bones of your chest wall have been strained or injured in some way, any type of movement of your torso can cause pain. As a result, you may experience chest pain while you are sleeping, particularly if you frequently change positions or fall asleep on your chest.
What is atypical angina?
Atypical angina implies that the complaint is actually angina pecto- ris, though not conforming in every way to the expected or classic description; noncardiac chest pain implies confi- dence that the problem doesn't rest with the heart, whereas atypical chest pain says little more than there is something in or about ...