Yvette BrownWhile the majority of people who experience cardiac chest pain typically have ischemic chest pain or angina, a small number of people also experience unusual symptoms that can be alarming and worrying.
Atypical chest pain is distinct from heart attack-related chest pain. Shortness of breath, back pain, and sharp or tearing pain are symptoms. Learn more about atypical chest pain in this article, along with some tips on how to get rid of it.
What Is Atypical Chest Pain?
Atypical chest pain is referred to as a pain in the chest that doesn’t fit the angina criteria. Angina chest pain is a pressure-like or squeezing sensation that typically results from your heart muscle not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood.
If the chest pain cannot be attributed to angina, the person is said to have atypical chest pain, which, unlike typical chest pain, does not originate in the sternum and may radiate to other parts of the body.
What Causes Atypical Chest Pain?
GI, respiratory, and musculoskeletal conditions are among the most typical causes of atypical chest pain. People who experience anxiety or panic attacks frequently believe they are having a heart attack.
Chest discomfort and pain may be brought on by conditions affecting the heart, aorta, lungs, esophagus, stomach, abdominal viscera, and musculoskeletal system. One of the most common musculoskeletal causes for atypical chest pain we see in adults is costochondritis”
Inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone is known as costochondritis. With deep breaths or coughing, it can become more painful or tender.
That being said, even if atypical chest pain has a less serious underlying cause, chest pain is still a serious medical concern and is never something you should ignore or disregard. Why? Because time is tissue in a heart attack.
The longer an acute coronary syndrome or heart attack is left undiagnosed and untreated, the more permanent damage is done to the heart, which decreases the likelihood that the patient will recover well or even survive. Until proven otherwise, a heart attack is still considered to be occurring even if you have visited the emergency room 10 times previously with symptoms of anxiety.
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Symptoms Of Atypical Chest Pain
Main Symptoms
Atypical chest pain does not have all three signs of chest pain suggestive of a heart attack, as stated in the synopsis. Therefore, atypical chest pain may instead have the following characteristics:
- Quality: Atypical chest pain can be sharp, stabbing, or tearing, as opposed to typical chest pain, which is typically a dull pain or pressure feeling. Unusual chest pain may worsen when you push on the chest, improve when you lean forward, and worsen when you breathe in. Eating may make the pain worse, which points to a gastrointestinal cause.
- Location: Unlike typical chest pain, which typically spreads throughout the chest, atypical chest pain may be localized in a particular area of the chest. The back may also experience unusual chest pain. Typical chest pain is more often characterized by pain that radiates to the arms or neck.
- Onset and timing: Unlike typical chest pain, atypical chest pain can appear suddenly. While typical chest pain typically doesn’t last longer than 20 to 30 minutes, abnormal chest pain can linger for hours or even days.
Other Symptoms
The following are likely additional signs of atypical chest pain.
- Cough or shortness of breath: Particularly if it is brought on by a lung-related condition, atypical chest pain may be accompanied by coughing or shortness of breath. A persistent cough is another symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Painful or difficulty swallowing: If you have a digestive issue, like gastroesophageal reflux disease, your atypical chest pain might be accompanied by pain or difficulty swallowing.
Treatment Of Atypical Chest Pain
Your physician will conduct a medical evaluation if you frequently experience chest pain to ascertain whether it is cardiac- or non-cardiac-related. Mentioned below are some pain-relieving treatments for atypical chest pain:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and painkillers
- Relaxation techniques, which basically include breathing exercises
- For patients who experience unusual chest pain due to heart problems, anxiety attacks, heart valve problems, etc., drug therapy is an option.
When Should Someone Experiencing Atypical Chest Pain Get More Help?
If you develop any symptoms of atypical chest pain such as the following, you should seek care right away:
- A sharp chest pain that gets worse with breathing in or position changes
- Back pain
- Shortness of breath
Consider going directly to the emergency room or dialing an ambulance if you have a history of heart disease. Even heart attacks can cause unusual chest pain, so it’s crucial to get checked out and treated by a doctor right away.
Final Words
As previously stated, the symptoms are quite similar to those of gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, or respiratory diseases.
You don’t want to gamble on this one since a heart attack can be fatal. If it turns out that the cause of your chest pains is something less serious, great! You’ll feel better knowing that you’re not having a heart attack. But at least you made the necessary inquiries.
