Chest pain when breathing is a serious symptom. This is true whether it happens with regular breathing or when taking a deep breath. Show
Issues like muscle strains or shingles may be to blame, but chest pain when breathing can also be a sign of asthma, heart problems, or cancer. You should always see a healthcare provider if you experience chest pain when breathing. And if chest pain and shortness of breath come on suddenly, call 911. You may be having a heart attack. This article discusses the conditions that may lead to chest pain when breathing, including specific situations like chest pain when lying down or at rest, plus how these conditions are diagnosed and treated. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin When Is Chest Pain When Breathing Serious?Chest pain when breathing isn't always an emergency, but it can point to a serious problem. That's why it's a good idea to seek medical care for chest pain with breathing, especially if it's severe, ongoing, or occurs with other symptoms. Chest pain when breathing can be triggered by a number of different medical conditions or injuries involving the heart, lungs, or nearby tissues or organs, including the:
Other symptoms that accompany chest pain when breathing often point to the underlying cause. They include:
If you have this type of pain, you may only experience it when taking deep breaths, or it may be present all the time but get worse when you take a deep breath. It tends to be sudden, sharp, stabbing, and intense. When to Call a Healthcare Provider
Heart-Related CausesChest pain when breathing may be caused by heart conditions. That's because the heart lies near and works closely with the lungs. Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)Myocardial infarctions happen when something cuts off the flow of blood to a part of the heart muscle. That means the heart isn't getting oxygen. Without prompt treatment, the muscle will start to die. Getting fast treatment for a heart attack helps limit the damage. Any time you have symptoms that could point to a heart attack, you should get emergency medical help. Common symptoms include:
You may also have:
These symptoms always warrant a call to 9-1-1. What Is a Silent Heart Attack? Other Cardiac CausesOther heart-related conditions that cause this type of chest pain include:
Worse When Lying Down?Some conditions make it hard to breathe while you're lying down. This is called paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND), and it's common in people with heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Lung-Related CausesThe lungs don't have pain receptors. Still, medical conditions involving the lungs can cause pain in several ways. Often, the pain comes from pleurisy, which is irritation of the pleura. Pain related to the pleura is called pleuritic chest pain. It can be caused by many different conditions, including some that are cancerous or infectious. CancerCancerous causes of pleurisy include lung cancer, mesothelioma, and malignant pleural effusions. Lung Cancer The most common type of lung cancer is lung adenocarcinoma. It tends to grow around the edges of the lung near the pleura. It's most common in:
The earliest symptom may be pain from cancer reaching the pleura. Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that arises in the pleura itself. It's most common in people who've been exposed to asbestos. You can be exposed to asbestos at work or when remodeling homes or other buildings built before asbestos was banned. Malignant Pleural Effusion Malignant pleural effusions cause fluid to build up in the pleura. The fluid contains cancer cells. Effusions can occur due to lung cancer, breast cancer, or cancers that spread to the lungs. Understanding Types of Cancer AsthmaAsthma is a chronic lung condition that involves episodes ("asthma attacks") of:
Depending on the type of asthma, it may be triggered by allergies, such as hay fever, or physical exertion. Asthma can be well managed with medications, including inhalers, and learning to avoid triggers. The Link Between Hay Fever and Asthma InfectionsInfectious causes of chest pain with breathing include:
Non-Infectious CausesNon-infectious causes of chest pain when breathing include:
Studies of pleuritic chest pain suggest pulmonary embolism is the most common life-threatening cause. It's the source of pain in between 5% and 21% of cases. Musculoskeletal CausesConditions involving bony or soft tissue structures in the chest may cause chest pain when breathing. Some of these include:
Other CausesOther common conditions that may cause chest pain when breathing usually cause other symptoms, as well. These conditions include:
DiagnosisDepending on what other symptoms you have with chest pain when breathing, your healthcare provider may order several tests. These include imaging, bloodwork, and other tests. ImagingImaging studies include:
BloodworkBlood tests your provider may order include:
These look for markers of inflammation. They can help to identify autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory conditions. Other TestsYou may also be sent for:
SummaryMany things can cause chest pain when breathing. That includes several heart conditions, lung conditions, infections, and musculoskeletal problems. Chest pain when breathing can be diagnosed using a wide array of imaging studies, bloodwork, and other tests. You should always treat breathing-related problems as a medical emergency and get immediate help. A Word From VerywellMost causes of chest pain when breathing aren't life-threatening, but enough of them can be to warrant a proactive approach. Getting an early diagnosis and treatment can mean a faster recovery, so be sure to contact a healthcare provider right away for treatment and diagnosis. What Right-Sided Chest Pain Means Frequently Asked Questions
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