Many causes can cause pain from your chest up to your shoulders. The heart, lungs, or other organs can be affected. It’s important to seek immediate medical attention if your pain is severe or sudden.
may also refer to the pain. It’s pain that you feel in your chest or shoulder, but it is caused by another part of the body.
This article will examine some of the common causes of shoulder and chest pain, as well as the treatments available for these causes.
What causes are most common?
There are many possible causes of chest and shoulder pain. Some causes can be more severe than others. These conditions are the most common causes of this type of pain.
Angina
Angina refers to chest pain caused by clogged or narrowed arteries surrounding your heart. This is because your heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygenated blood.
This is not a heart attack. It’s more likely a sign of a heart problem. Pain is often triggered by physical activity, which occurs when your body needs more oxygen. Stress can also trigger it.
The angina may be stable. It follows a predictable pattern and usually occurs when you are doing something or stressed. The symptoms of stable angina usually disappear within minutes.
The angina may also be unstable. This type of angina usually occurs suddenly or when you are at rest. Symptoms of unstable angina can last for more than 20 minutes, and they may even return. Pain may worsen over time. A life-threatening, unstable angina attack requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms
Angina is characterized by chest pain. The pain usually begins behind the breastbone. You may feel pain in your arms or left shoulder.
Other symptoms include:
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- Shortness of breath
- light-headedness
- nausea or indigestion
- Sweating
Heart attack
A heart attack occurs when a blockage of an artery within your heart reduces or stops the blood flow into your muscle heart. Myocardial infarction is another name for it.
The symptoms can appear suddenly or slowly. Some people with gradual symptoms do not seek immediate medical attention.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical attention immediately if you suspect you are having a cardiac arrest.
Symptoms
The severity of heart attack symptoms can differ.
Heart attack symptoms include:
- A feeling of tightness in your chest
- Chest pain that extends to the neck, shoulders, arms, or back
- Feeling faint or dizzy
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweat
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- Indigestion, heartburn, or stomach pain
Women are more likely than men to experience symptoms such as chest pain. Women often experience symptoms that men do not.
- Extreme fatigue or unusual fatigue lasting for several days
- sleep disturbances
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- Indigestion or gassy pain
- Jaw or back pain
- Symptoms that appear more gradually
Gallstones
The gallbladder, located on the right side of your body below your liver, is a small and delicate organ. Its main purpose is to release the bile in your small intestine. Bile aids digestion by breaking down fats.
Gallstones form from hardened digestive liquid in the gallbladder. Gallstones range in size from grains of sand up to ping-pong balls.
It’s not clear why some people get gallstones. But risk factors include:
- being female
- Over 40 years of age
- having overweight
- being pregnant
Symptoms
Gallstones can cause no symptoms at all. Gallstones can be painful when they block the bile duct or when you consume fatty foods. The pain can last for several hours.
Pain can occur in:
- Your right side, just above your stomach
- In the middle of your stomach, just below the breastbone
- Right shoulder
- Between your shoulder blades
You might also experience nausea or vomiting, fatigue, and/or a feeling of drowsiness.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis refers to the inflammation of the pericardium. This is the thin sac around your heart. The pericardium is a two-layered sac that surrounds and protects the heart. Fluid between the layers of the pericardium prevents friction as your heart beats.
Pericarditis is usually a sudden illness. Pericarditis can last anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks. Most cases are thought to be caused by a viral infection.
Symptoms
The main symptom of a heart attack is a sharp or dull pain on your left or center chest.
Other symptoms include:
- Pain that extends from the chest to your shoulder blade
- Pain that gets worse when you lie down or even take a deep breath
- Pain that reduces when you lean ahead
- Mild fever
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Pancreatitis
The pancreas lies behind the stomach, near the small intestine. It releases fluids to help digest food in your intestine. Insulin can help control blood sugar.
Pancreatitis causes inflammation of the pancreas. Chronic or acute pancreatitis can occur. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden-onset condition that usually improves with treatment. Chronic pancreatitis becomes worse with time. Gallstones are one of the leading causes of acute pancreatitis.
Symptoms
The symptoms of pancreatitis vary depending on its type. Pain in the upper abdomen and pain radiating to the back are common symptoms of acute or chronic pancreatitis.
The following symptoms are common in acute pancreatitis:
- Pain that is mild or severe and lasts several days
- After eating, abdominal pain gets worse.
- nausea and vomiting
- Fast pulse
- Stomach swelling or tenderness
Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include:
- Upper abdominal pain
- nausea or vomiting
- Weight loss without trying
- Oily stools that stink bad
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the thin layer, or pleura, of tissue that separates your lungs and your chest wall. A viral infection of the lungs is the most common cause of pleurisy.
Symptoms
Pleurisy is characterized by:
- Sharp chest pains that get worse when you laugh, sneeze, cough, or breathe
- Back or shoulder pain
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle or joint pain
- Headaches
Some people also get a fever or a cough.
Does it constitute a medical crisis?
It can be difficult to determine if you have chest or shoulder pain. It’s vital to be aware of any other symptoms.
If you:
- Chest and shoulder pain
- Existing heart conditions
- My suspicion is that you may be suffering a heart attack.
Other symptoms that may indicate you need to seek immediate medical attention include:
- Chest and shoulder pain that gets worse
- Having difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Extreme weakness
The review, titled 2019 Review A trusted source looked at the causes of chest pain that people experienced when they went to the emergency room. The review found:
- Acute coronary syndrome (including angina) was responsible for 31 percent of all causes.
- Acid reflux is responsible for 30 percent of all chest pain.
- 28 percent of the causes were musculoskeletal disorders.
When should you see a doctor?
Consult your doctor if chest or shoulder pain is unexplained. It’s vital to seek medical attention whenever you experience chest pain.
How can the cause be diagnosed?
Diagnosing chest and shoulder discomfort can be difficult due to the many causes that could cause it.
Your doctor will ask you about your medical history in order to determine if there are any other conditions that may exist. Your doctor will also ask about any family history of heart disease and other conditions.
Your doctor will want to learn about any symptoms. They’ll ask when they began, how long they last, and whether they have changed.
Your doctor will perform a physical examination and listen to your lungs and heart once they have gathered more information about your symptoms.
Your doctor can use a variety of diagnostic tests to find out what is causing shoulder and chest discomfort. Diagnostic tests that are commonly used include:
- An X-ray can be taken of your heart, lungs, gallbladder, or other organs.
- An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a way to see how your heart beats.
- An echocardiogram is a way to see your heart muscle in action.
- Blood tests can be used to check for signs of heart attacks or for specific enzyme levels in certain conditions, like pancreatitis.
- A stress test can be used to determine how your heart works when you exercise.
- A coronary angiogram is used to determine if there is a blockage of a heart artery.
- A heart CT scanner (also known as CT angiography) is used to examine your heart and blood vessels and check for any problems.
- An MRI can be used to examine heart activity and blood flow or to see your pancreas or gallbladder in greater detail.
- If pleurisy is suspected, a lung biopsy is recommended.
- A pancreatic response test will determine if your pancreas responds normally to certain hormones.
Treatment
The cause of shoulder and chest discomfort will determine the treatment. Treatment plans may differ from person to person due to so many factors. Some factors that can influence your treatment plan are:
- Your age
- Other health conditions, such as being overweight, may also exist.
- Smoking is not for everyone.
Heart problems
For heart problems, your doctor may prescribe:
- Aspirin
- Nitroglycerin
- Blood Thinners to Prevent Clots
- Clot-busting Drugs
- Antibiotics to treat pain due to an infection
- Fluid drainage for pericarditis
In life-threatening situations, surgery may be required, such as by-pass surgery or angioplasty. Your doctor may recommend that you make lifestyle changes such as dietary changes, increased physical activity, and stress management.
Gallstone attack
Your doctor may recommend removing your gallbladder if you have frequent gallstone attacks. It is done laparoscopically.
Your doctor may prescribe ursodiol for a gallstone condition that is less severe. This drug can dissolve gallstones with time. You may be put on a diet low in fat by your doctor to prevent the formation of new gallstones.
Some people find success using natural remedies to treat gallstones. Talk to your doctor about any home remedies for gallstones.
Pleurisy
The treatment for pleurisy depends on its cause. If you have a bacterial illness, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Viral infections typically clear up by themselves.Chest pain can be relieved by using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Your doctor may drain the fluid if you have a large amount of fluid, also known as pleural effusion. Surgery may require either local or general anesthesia and, depending on its complexity, may necessitate an overnight stay in hospital.
If you suffer from other medical conditions that make treating your pleurisy difficult, a hospital stay might be required.
Pancreatitis
Your doctor will likely prescribe pain medication.It is possible that you will need to fast for two days in order to rest your pancreas. You may require intravenous fluids in order to avoid dehydration.
If your pancreatitis becomes severe, you may need to be hospitalized.
Surgery to drain the pancreas or remove the gallbladder may be required if your pancreatitis was caused by gallstones.
Treatments that are longer-term may include:
- diet changes
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Take pancreatic enzymes to help digestion.
Other causes of chest pain
Your doctor may prescribe the following for chest pain that is not related to your coronary arteries or heart:
- Acid-suppressing drugs to reduce reflux
- Antidepressants and therapy for panic attacks
The bottom line
There are many possible causes of chest and shoulder pain. Angina and other heart conditions such as pericarditis, pleurisy, and pancreatitis are some of the more common causes.
Your doctor should be consulted if you experience pain in your chest or shoulder. If you feel severe pain or it lasts more than a few moments, go immediately to an emergency room or dial 911. The earlier you seek treatment for many conditions, your chances of a positive outcome are higher.
Credit: thewebhealth.com & drugsdiscussion.com