How can you tell the difference between heart pain and muscle pain?

Does the pain change while taking a deep breath or exhaling? Cardiac • Cardiac pain does not change during deep breathing. Muscular • Deep breathing can cause sharp, shooting pain (if the discomfort starts in the muscle).

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Can muscle pain be mistaken for heart pain?

It's possible for someone to mistake a strained chest muscle for something more serious, like a heart attack, said Christine Jellis, MD, PhD, a Cardiology Specialist at Cleveland Clinic.

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How do I know if my pain is heart-related?

Heart-related chest pain

Pressure, fullness, burning or tightness in the chest. Crushing or searing pain that spreads to the back, neck, jaw, shoulders, and one or both arms. Pain that lasts more than a few minutes, gets worse with activity, goes away and comes back, or varies in intensity. Shortness of breath.

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How do I know my chest pain is not heart-related?

On the other hand, if you are having chest pain that is very brief, lasting only seconds or minutes and going away, without any of these associated symptoms, like the shortness of breath or nausea, it may not be heart-related.

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How do you rule out heart pain?

Some of the first tests a health care provider may order when diagnosing the cause of chest pain include:
  1. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick test measures the electrical activity of the heart. ...
  2. Blood tests. ...
  3. Chest X-ray. ...
  4. Computerized tomography (CT) scan.

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Tips to know if the Chest Pain is Heart related or something else - Dr. Anantharaman Ramakrishnan

42 related questions found

Where is heart pain usually felt?

Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

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How do I know if my chest pain is serious?

You want to call 911 if you are having sudden, crushing chest pain or if your chest pain radiates into the jaw or the left arm. You want to call 911 if your chest pain also causes shortness of breath, or dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.

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Why do I have chest pain if my heart is fine?

In most people, noncardiac chest pain is actually related to a problem with their esophagus, most often gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Stress, anxiety and depression can also manifest as chronic chest pain.

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Is cardiac chest pain constant?

Heart attack pain may start with chest pressure that comes and goes, sometimes with exertion. If the pain becomes continuous, seek medical attention immediately and consider calling 911. If you have chest pain constantly for several days, weeks or months, it is unlikely to be caused by a heart attack.

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Where is heart pain felt in woman?

Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

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What are the 4 signs your heart is quietly failing?

Warning signs and symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, chronic coughing or wheezing, swelling, fatigue, loss of appetite, and others. Heart failure means the heart has failed to pump the way it should in order to circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.

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What are symptoms of mini heart attacks?

Four Signs of a Silent Heart Attack
  • Chest Pain, Pressure, Fullness, or Discomfort. ...
  • Discomfort in other areas of your body. ...
  • Difficulty breathing and dizziness. ...
  • Nausea and cold sweats. ...
  • Know The Silent Signs of a Heart Attack — And Don't Ignore Them.

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What does heart pain feel like at first?

chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest. pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy. feeling lightheaded or dizzy. sweating.

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Is it my heart or muscle strain?

Does the pain change while taking a deep breath or exhaling? Cardiac • Cardiac pain does not change during deep breathing. Muscular • Deep breathing can cause sharp, shooting pain (if the discomfort starts in the muscle).

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Did I pull a muscle or is it my heart?

Sharp pain and tightness in your chest. Difficulty breathing. These are just a few of the symptoms of a potential heart attack, but they can also mirror a pulled chest muscle. A strained or pulled chest muscle is much less serious than a heart attack, but it can be quite painful.

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Does heart pain come and go?

Typical heart attack symptoms

This discomfort or pain can feel like a tight ache, pressure, fullness or squeezing in the chest lasting more than a few minutes. This discomfort may come and go.

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Is occasional heart pain normal?

Chest pain may arise and subside every few minutes or over several days. The cause may be related to the heart, the muscles, the digestive system, or psychological factors. Underlying causes of chest pain may be mild, as in the case of acid reflux. Or, they may be serious and indicate, for example, a heart attack.

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When should I go to the ER for chest pain?

A visit to the ER for chest pain can be life-saving. When your chest pain persists, is severe, or is accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, radiating pain, and changes in heart rate and blood pressure, call 911 immediately.

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What are three signs symptoms of angina?

What are the symptoms of angina pectoris?
  • A pressing, squeezing, or crushing pain, usually in the chest under your breastbone.
  • Pain may also occur in your upper back, both arms, neck, or ear lobes.
  • Pain radiating in your arms, shoulders, jaw, neck, or back.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Weakness and fatigue.
  • Feeling faint.

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What happens if your heart hurts sometimes?

Chest pain is a common symptom of many heart problems, including: Coronary artery disease, which happens when cholesterol builds up on the walls of your arteries. This build-up can narrow your arteries or even block them completely, raising your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

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What chest pain do you not have to worry about?

As for when you might not need to be concerned, chest pain can be caused by a muscle strain, costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage around the ribs), esophageal spasms, acid reflux, or bronchitis.

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What causes pain in chest between breasts?

Physical trauma, costochondritis, and muscle strains are common causes of sternum pain. Conditions such as pneumonia, pleurisy and GERD can also cause pain in nearby tissue that people may mistake for sternum pain.

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What are the symptoms of a heart problem in a woman?

When to Call 9-1-1. In some women, the first signs and symptoms of heart disease can be: Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations)

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Why does my chest hurt in the left breast?

When the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen in the coronary artery blood supply, the resulting pain under the left breast or in the center of the chest is known as angina. Associated symptoms include an uncomfortable feeling in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.

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