What can cause chest pain in the middle of the chest? Unpleasant feeling in the chest: causes Unpleasant sensations in the chest when breathing.

Pain in the sternum in the middle, panic, intense fear are feelings familiar to every person with vegetovascular dystonia. Diseases that cause pain in the chest in the middle can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, and the cardiovascular system. The causes of pain may lie in disorders of the musculoskeletal system or previously experienced stressful situations.

Cardiovascular diseases

Most often, riders, having felt pain behind the sternum, begin to worry about the presence of heart problems. Terrible words pop up in my memory: aorta, aneurysm, angina pectoris, stroke, heart attack. The pressure rises, the pulse quickens and a panicky state rolls over the person, further aggravating his condition.

A feeling of tightness in the chest can be a sign of a heart attack, but only if there are a number of additional symptoms:

• blanching of the skin;
• profuse sweating;
• violation of the heart rhythm;
• pain in the sternum in the middle;
• weakness that does not allow you to sit or stand;
• nausea.

The slightest doubt that the pressing pain behind the sternum is a heart attack most likely indicates that this is an attack of dystonia. It is impossible to make a mistake in the pathologies of the heart.

Signs of angina can distinguish this pathology from the manifestations of vegetovascular dystonia:

• the pain has an enveloping character, it seems to burn all the insides, gradually moving from the center to the left side of the sternum;
• unpleasant sensations often appear after experiences or physical exertion;
• there are difficulties with breathing;
• there is a lump in the throat;
• the pain subsides after the person takes a Nitroglycerin tablet;
• manifestations of angina pectoris occur with regular constancy.

In addition to an attack of angina pectoris, the cause of retrosternal pain may be a pulmonary embolism. This condition is quite dangerous, it has the following characteristic features:

• constant lack of air;
• feeling of tightness in the chest;
• cough that produces blood-stained sputum;
• deterioration in general condition.

Pulmonary embolism is an extremely serious pathology that requires immediate medical attention.

Often provoke pain in the middle of the chest, various forms of coronary heart disease. These pathologies share a number of symptoms:

• pain: dull, sharp, pressing, burning;
• return to the area of ​​​​the arms, neck, shoulder blades;
• shortness of breath with an increase in heart rate;
• acceleration of the heartbeat;
• an increase in blood pressure;
• pain in the head;
• swelling of the limbs;
• blanching of the skin.

Pulmonary diseases

Pulmonary pathologies are a common cause of pain in the middle of the sternum and panic provoked by their occurrence. Severe chest pain can be caused by:

• tracheitis;
• bronchitis;
• lung abscess;
• pneumonia.

For diseases of the respiratory system, an increase in retrosternal pain during coughing and sneezing is characteristic.

It is possible to attribute pain to pulmonary if there are such additional signs:

• inability to fully inhale and exhale air;
• feverish state;
• confusion;
• difficulty breathing, redness of the skin;
• change (including acceleration) of the heart rhythm;
• decrease in blood pressure indicators;
• the acquisition of skin shades of blue.

A characteristic feature of pleurisy is the intensification of pain at the time of inhalation of air, especially if the person lies on his back.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Lungs, esophagus, stomach - all these organs are located in the thoracic region, respectively, a change in their normal state can cause discomfort in this area. The nature of the manifestation of pain in the digestive tract is different from those that accompany diseases of the heart and blood vessels. And the use of sedatives or cardiac drugs does not give any effect.

If a person has a hernia, then it manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• heartburn;
• belching;
• pain behind the sternum;
• vomiting;
• rumbling in the stomach;
• too fast satiety during meals.

If the discomfort occurs suddenly, accompanied by disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the problem may be in the infringement of the hernia. This condition requires immediate surgical attention.

Peptic ulcer and gastritis are diagnosed through special studies, as well as the presence of such signs:

• excruciating pain in the middle of the sternum;
• dyspeptic disorders;
• belching;
• feeling that the stomach is bursting with fullness;
• heartburn;
• irritability;
• pulse disorders (tachycardia).

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system

Pain in the chest area, located exactly in the center or slightly to the left, can be a symptom of intercostal neuralgia, in which inflammation of the nerve fibers of the muscle tissue occurs.

Additionally, the following manifestations of pathology can be noted:

• the pain is aggravated by movement;
• it is difficult for a person to cough or sneeze, all these processes are accompanied by unpleasant sensations.

The causes of such a disease may be hypothermia of the body, previously received injuries of the chest, spine and limbs.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is another disease that provokes pain in the middle of the chest. It comes with the following additional features:

• constant strong tension of the spinal muscles;
• numbness of the muscular corset of the back;
• increased pain during deep breaths, bending, turning or raising arms, at night and in the cold;
• tingling and "goosebumps" running in different parts of the body;
• feeling of pressure in the chest;
• intercostal pain;
• cold or heat in the lower extremities.

In order to stop the pain syndrome, course massage, physiotherapy exercises and the use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used.

Psychological illness due to stress

Pain in the middle of the chest, which is accompanied by a deterioration in mood, the appearance of depressive thoughts and an increase in anxiety, may be the consequences of stressful situations.

Suspicious people who are acutely experiencing any conflict situations are subject to the occurrence of such pains. If the pain is accompanied by a panic attack, causing a person to be very nervous, suffocate and suffer from pressure drops and an increase in the speed of heart contractions, then we are talking about autonomic disorders of the nervous system.

To get rid of such manifestations, it makes sense to seek support from a psychologist or psychotherapist who will help to cope with the experiences that concern a person, teach self-soothing and the principles of meditation.

Pain may occur due to autonomic dysfunction of the central nervous system. Moreover, disorders of this kind are more common in children and adolescents.

The reasons for the development of such pathologies are:

• psycho-emotional factors;
• CNS lesions that occurred in the perinatal period;
• heredity.

Signs of vegetative dysfunctions are:

• paroxysmal pain behind the sternum, having a compressive or pressing character;
• accelerated heartbeat;
• feeling short of breath;
• panic state;
• pressure changes, with drops from low to high numbers, and vice versa;
• decrease in body temperature;
• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• head spinning;
• insomnia;
• lethargy;
• depressive moods.

As a rule, the examination does not reveal serious physical abnormalities in the patient. Attacks of pain also occur periodically, decreasing and increasing, lasting from 5-10 minutes to several days. And they arise after a person is very worried or has suffered strong physical loads.

To stop an attack, you need to take a sedative (tincture of motherwort, valerian or Validol).

Diseases of the heart, respiratory organs, gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal system and nervous system - all this can act as factors provoking pain in the middle of the chest.

In order not to start your own condition, allowing the development of a dangerous disease or a significant deterioration in well-being, you should take the following steps in time:

1. Seek advice from a therapist who will prescribe the necessary set of studies and tests to exclude a number of pathological conditions.
2. Change eating habits by eliminating fatty, salty, spicy foods from the diet. At the same time, you should eat fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, cereals, and drink more fluids more often.
3. Introduce moderate physical activity into your lifestyle. It can be expressed in physical therapy classes, visits to the pool or yoga courses, leisurely walks in the park or jogging in the morning.
4. Give up bad habits (frequent drinking of coffee-containing drinks, smoking, drinking alcohol or drugs). The organs of the respiratory and nervous systems, the heart and blood vessels will certainly appreciate such care and respond with full-fledged work for many years of life.
5. Eliminate stressful situations from your own life: for this, you should change an overly nervous place of work or your own attitude towards such situations. For self-soothing, it does not hurt to master breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation techniques.

What to do if an attack of chest pain occurs suddenly?

You can follow this simple algorithm of actions:

• take a Nitroglycerin or Aspirin tablet (which it is advisable to always have with you);
• take a supine position;
• unfasten clothing that interferes with breathing;
• organize access to fresh air in the room;
• apply breathing techniques (for example, a deep breath - cough, inhale again and again forced cough).

Regardless of the causes of pain in the middle of the sternum, causing panic fear, you should control yourself without being captured by phobias and experiences. Timely examination of the doctor and following his recommendations will save your own health and life.

Discomfort in the chest in most cases occurs when a person has any problems with the functioning of the lungs, bronchi or heart. Therefore, having discovered pain in the chest area, it is necessary to seek help from a qualified specialist as soon as possible. However, discomfort in the chest area may not always occur due to the development of any cardiac pathology and may be the result of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or other factors affecting the human body.

The main causes of chest discomfort

The main factors causing the appearance of discomfort in the thoracic region may be:

1. 1. Cardiac angina. This pathological process is characterized by a feeling of squeezing and burning, which is localized in the middle of the thoracic region or on its left side. In addition, an attack of angina may be accompanied by weakness and a feeling of nausea. In most cases, the pathology begins to manifest itself after physical or emotional stress, but sometimes the symptoms of the pathological process can also occur at rest. The pain caused by angina pectoris is not too intense and disappears quickly enough if you take the appropriate medications (nitroglycerin, etc.) or stop exercising and simply calm the heart rhythm.
2. 2. Thrombosis of the pulmonary artery. The disease occurs as a result of the formation of a blood clot (thrombus), which disrupts the normal blood flow through the pulmonary artery, which ultimately leads to the formation of ischemia of the lung tissue. This pathological process is accompanied by symptoms in the form of painful sensations in the chest area, which are significantly aggravated during breathing, severe shortness of breath and coughing, accompanied by secretions of mucus with blood.
3. 3. Myocardial infarction. It is possible to suspect the course of this pathology if a person has prolonged attacks of angina pectoris, which are not eliminated by taking appropriate medications. The main manifestations of myocardial infarction are painful sensations of a pressing nature in the region of the heart. Also, the patient may be disturbed by severe dizziness, nausea and general malaise.
4. 4. Rheumatism. The presence of such a disease in a person can negatively affect the heart and thereby cause the formation of uncomfortable sensations in the chest, which are regarded as the initial stage of the development of inflammatory complications caused by rheumatism.
5. 5. Cardioneurosis. This pathological process occurs as a result of the impact on a person of constant stressful situations or loads of a psycho-emotional nature. Cardioneurosis manifests itself in the form of a sensation of pain in the left side of the thoracic region. At the same time, the feeling of pain can last a fairly long period of time and not occur against the background of physical activity. Cardioneurosis is not affected by nitroglycerin, but is eliminated by the use of sedatives.
6. 6. Myocarditis. This cardiac pathology is formed against the background of a viral, allergic or autoimmune lesion of the internal organ. Symptoms of the course of such a disease is the presence of pain and burning in the sternum.

What else causes chest pain?

Discomfort in the chest area can occur not only against the background of the development of cardiac pathological processes, but also be a consequence of other diseases. These diseases include:

• various diseases of the respiratory organs, both chronic and acute. These include inflammatory processes occurring in the lungs and bronchi. The pain in the sternum that accompanies such pathologies is intermittent and can be significantly aggravated by sneezing or coughing. In addition, this kind of disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature and other signs of intoxication of the body;
• various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Pain syndrome during the course of such diseases can manifest itself both in the region of the left side of the chest and under the left shoulder blade. Heartburn and a feeling of nausea are added to the pain syndrome. Symptoms associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are easily eliminated by observing the correct diet and using antispasmodics;
• osteochondrosis of the spine. This pathological process can also cause discomfort in the chest. This happens due to pinching of the nerve endings located in the spinal column. Pain in the chest can occur if a person has a late stage of development of osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia.

The chest is a part of the body, consisting of the chest cavity, the organs of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems located in it, muscle fibers and bone tissue (ribs, sternum and spine). In women, the chest has a flatter shape, so its volume is slightly smaller compared to men of the same age. The chest cavity contains the bronchopulmonary system, thoracic vertebrae, heart, arteries through which blood enters the heart muscle, esophagus and the upper part of the diaphragmatic tube.

If a person has pain in the sternum, the cause may be in the pathology of any of the listed organs, so it is impossible to associate such a symptom only with heart disease. A doctor should treat chest pains: self-medication and untimely seeking medical help can cause a deterioration in well-being and progression of the underlying disease.

Injury to bone or muscle tissue is a fairly common cause of pain in the sternum. The nature of the pain depends on the conditions in which the damage was received, and the impact of additional factors. For example, when falling, the pain is most often dull, aching, has a moderate or high intensity and increases during bending forward or turning the torso to the side. Injuries received in a fight can lead to rupture of internal organs - such a pathology will be accompanied by acute or cutting pain, which weakens if the patient takes a certain position of the body (most often on his side), but does not go away completely.

The most dangerous injuries of the chest are those resulting from traffic accidents and other emergencies. Often, patients develop pain shock, blood pressure decreases, lips and skin turn blue. With fractures, pain may be absent for 6-10 hours. Some patients at this time continue to do their usual activities and maintain their normal level of activity, but after a few hours the effect of natural anesthesia ends, and a severe pain syndrome appears, often requiring emergency hospitalization of the patient using special means.

Common symptoms indicating chest trauma of various origins are:

• severe pain (dull, sharp, dagger-like, cutting) in the central part of the chest and at the site of injury;
• decrease or fluctuations in blood pressure;
• headache and dizziness;
• vomit;
• increased pain during movement, breathing and palpation of the injured area.

If the respiratory organs are damaged, the patient may develop acute respiratory failure, which is fraught with loss of consciousness and even death if the person is not taken to the trauma department on time. Treatment of injuries and pathologies depends on the type of injury, the condition of the patient, the symptoms present, and other factors. If the patient has damaged thoracic vertebrae, surgery may be required.

Note! If a person was in a state of alcoholic intoxication at the time of the injury, the pain syndrome may appear only after a few hours, since wine alcohol blocks pain receptors and acts as a synthetic analgesic.

The relationship of pain in the sternum with pathologies of the digestive system

Some people think that in diseases of the stomach and intestines, pain occurs only in various parts of the abdomen, but this is not so. Pathologies of the digestive system are another common cause of pain in the center of the sternum, so people with chronic disorders in the gastrointestinal tract need to know the features of the clinical course of this group of diseases.

Diseases of the esophagus

In the central part of the chest is the esophagus - a muscular hollow organ in the form of a tube through which crushed food enters the stomach. The esophagus is located in the middle of the chest cavity, therefore, if this organ is disturbed, the pain syndrome will appear along the midline of the sternum. The most common pathology of the esophagus is its inflammation - esophagitis. The disease manifests itself with symptoms typical of diseases of the digestive tract, and it is the pain in the middle of the chest that makes it possible to differentiate it from other digestive disorders even before the hardware and laboratory diagnostics.

Common signs of esophagitis include:

• stabbing sensation in the throat when swallowing;
• "lump" in the larynx;
• pain while eating when food passes through the esophagus, which occurs in the middle of the chest cavity;
• bad breath;
• pain in the epigastrium and abdominal area, aggravated after eating;
• fetid eructation;
• heartburn.

In rare cases, similar symptoms with the localization of the main pain syndrome in the sternum can be observed with exacerbation of cholecystitis, pancreatitis or gastritis with increased secretion of hydrochloric acid. To make an accurate diagnosis, the patient undergoes a number of diagnostic studies: blood and urine tests, FGDS, ultrasound of the abdominal organs. According to their results, the doctor will prescribe treatment and give recommendations on nutrition and regimen.

Treatment regimen for esophagitis in adult patients (may be adjusted depending on individual indicators)

With an infectious lesion of the esophagus, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic or antiviral therapy.

Video: Pain in the esophagus when swallowing and passing food

Subdiaphragmatic abscess

This is a pathology in which a cavity filled with purulent exudate is formed under the lower border of the diaphragm - a muscular tube that separates the chest and abdominal cavities and is necessary for expanding the lungs. In most cases, the disease requires surgical treatment, since when an abscess breaks, pus enters the peritoneum, which will lead to the rapid development of a life-threatening condition - acute peritonitis. After opening the abscess and drainage, the patient is prescribed conservative supportive therapy with the use of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial agents. To eliminate pain and relieve inflammation, drugs from the NSAID group can be used ( "Ibufen", "Ibuklin", "Ketorol", "Ketanov"). Used to prevent tissue infection "Metronidazole" and "Tsiprolet".

Disorders in the work of the heart

This is the main cause of pain in the sternum, so it is important to know the signs and characteristics of diseases that can provoke such symptoms.

Important! For any symptoms that may indicate heart disease, you should immediately call an ambulance. The patient should be seated on a chair or laid in bed with a raised head, provide air flow, give a pill " Nitroglycerin" under the tongue (similar to " Nitrospray”, to alleviate the condition, make one injection into the sublingual zone). If there is no effect, the reception can be repeated after 5-7 minutes.

Neurological diseases and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system

Diseases of the spine can be congenital, but about 80% are acquired in childhood or adolescence, so the task of parents is to ensure the prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the correct formation of the spinal column through physical exercises, gymnastics and massage. The most common diseases of the spine include scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and osteochondrosis. A pain attack in the central part of the chest cavity can occur with thoracic or cervical osteochondrosis. The pain is pressing, intense, aggravated in the supine position.

Treatment of osteochondrosis includes therapeutic exercises, a properly composed diet and normalization of the psycho-emotional state, since most attacks are provoked by nervous breakdowns or overexertion. Anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to relieve pain Nimesulide, Diclofenac, Kapsikam), but only after consulting a doctor, since many of them have a large list of contraindications and can cause blood diseases.

Important! Similar symptoms are also characteristic of intercostal neuralgia - squeezing or pinching of the intercostal nerves. The pain in this case can be sharp, shooting, pulsating, stabbing in nature and very intense. The pain syndrome occurs against the background of a violation of the respiratory function, may have a constant course or appear in short attacks. In chronic neuralgia, pain can take on a burning or dull character.

Chest pain is a dangerous symptom, common mainly in people over 30 years of age with chronic diseases. If such pain occurs in a child, it is urgent to go to the hospital to exclude the possibility of hidden injuries and damage to internal organs. In rare cases, pain in the central part of the sternum may indicate a tuberculosis infection; in no case should such symptoms be ignored. read on our website.

Video - Why does the chest hurt?

Video - How to find out what hurts behind the sternum?

Pain in the sternum in the middle - all ages are “obedient” to it. This is one of the most common patient complaints found in medical practice worldwide. What causes these unpleasant manifestations? What serious diseases can hide such an alarming symptom? Medical experts have identified four main categories that combine certain negative factors, the presence of which can provoke pain of a different nature in the chest area. Here is a list of these categories:

• Chest injuries and spinal problems.
• Heart diseases.
• Pathology of the lungs.
• Diseases of the digestive system.

Any ailment that causes discomfort has its own characteristic signs. To better understand what kind of health hazard such manifestations can pose, let's take a closer look at the causes of their occurrence.

Why does it hurt in the middle of the sternum

The most common causes of pain in the sternum in the middle include:

• osteochondrosis;
• ischemic heart disease;
• aortic aneurysm;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Thoracic osteochondrosis

The disease is a destructive process that affects the intervertebral discs, which are located in the thoracic spine. Its progression triggers dystrophic reactions in the tissues of the discs, leading to violations of their shock-absorbing functions, and also causes a change in the bone structures of the vertebrae themselves and leads to their pathological convergence with each other.

The result of such destructive reactions is a violation of the mobility of the spine and compression of the nerve roots located in the immediate vicinity of the spinal column. As a result, the resulting pain in the sternum in the middle radiates to the back and intensifies with physical exertion, sudden movements, weight lifting, and even when sneezing or coughing.

Factors predisposing to the development of osteochondrosis are:

• Heredity.
• Age changes.
• Traumatic injuries.
• Increased physical activity.
• Circulatory disorders.
• Hormonal imbalance.
• Harmful working conditions.
• Congenital morphological anomalies of the spine.
• infectious processes.
• chronic stress.

The lack of adequate treatment leads to the destruction of the fibrous ring and the release of fragments of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal (hernia), which leads to an increase in compression myelopathy and a multiple increase in pain manifestations.

Cardiac ischemia

Another common cause is coronary artery disease (CHD). Pathology is an organic lesion of the myocardium caused by a lack of coronary circulation in the heart muscle. It can have acute manifestations (myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest) or take a chronic, protracted course (angina pectoris, cardiosclerosis). Factors contributing to the appearance of IHD are:

• Hyperlipidemia.
• arterial hypertension.
• Drinking alcohol, smoking.
• Overweight.
• Metabolic disease.

The disease has an undulating nature of the course with a slow development of pathological manifestations and a gradual increase in negative symptoms. Its main features include:

• Dizziness.
• Pressing pain in the sternum in the middle (often -).
• Increased sweating.
• Clouding of consciousness.
• Nausea.
• Edema of the lower extremities.
• Dyspnea.
• Increased heartbeat.

IHD is irreversible. Adequate therapeutic measures can greatly slow down its progression and prevent the most negative development scenarios. In the absence of therapy, the likelihood of premature death (sudden coronary death) is high.

aortic aneurysm

Pathology implies a local expansion of a certain section of the aorta, caused by a violation of the tissue structure of its walls. Common causes of an aneurysm include:

• Arterial hypertension.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Morfan syndrome.
• syphilitic infection.
• Traumatic lesions of the chest.
• fibrous dysplasia.
• Erdheim syndrome.
• Age changes.
• Alcohol abuse.

When an ailment appears in a person, not only does it hurt in the sternum in the middle, but additional symptoms also appear:

• Tachycardia.
• Pain in the region of the heart.
• Dizziness.
• Bradycardia.
• Dysphonia.
• Dry cough.
• Dysphagia.
• Increased salivation.

The lack of therapeutic measures can lead to the development of various complications. The most serious of them are stroke, acute renal failure, pulmonary hemorrhage. In critical cases, urgent surgical intervention is indicated. Prevention of the disease, first of all, is aimed at lowering the level of cholesterol in the blood.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

A similar pathology is characterized by a systematic reflux of the contents of the stomach back into the esophagus. This causes an inflammatory reaction in the tissues lining the walls of the esophagus, which leads to various negative symptoms and causes regular pain manifestations throughout the entire esophageal muscular tube. The main factors provoking the development of GERD are called:

• Gross power errors.
• Overweight.
• Pregnancy.
• Diaphragmatic hernia.
• Uncontrolled intake of certain drugs.
• Smoking.
• Alcohol consumption.
• Flatulence.

In the absence of treatment and ignoring the symptoms, the disease can cause various severe complications, the most dangerous of which are esophageal ulcer, aspiration pneumonia, malignant neoplasm.

The main symptoms of GERD:

• Heartburn.
• Belching sour.
• Burning sensation in the chest.
• Odynophagy.
• Dysphagia.
• Coronary pain in the chest.

Why there is pain in the sternum in the middle when inhaling

Most often, pain in the sternum in the middle when inhaling is associated with pulmonary diseases. When the lungs are affected, discomfort is usually associated with a violation of their pleural membrane, which contains many nerve endings and, when ruptured, inflamed or irritated, causes discomfort in the chest, as well as. As a rule, such manifestations occur with pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchitis, pleurisy.

In second place are chest injuries. When falling from a height or an accident, a fracture of the ribs occurs, which provokes pain when breathing, and especially when taking a deep breath. The third most common are intercostal neuralgia, vascular and heart pathologies.

In addition to all the listed ailments, with pain in the sternum in the middle, the causes of discomfort can also be:

• stomach ulcer;
• vegetovascular dystonia;
• thyroid pathology;
• pregnancy;
• foreign body in the esophagus.

In all cases, the causes of such sensations require medical clarification.

Diagnostics

The first step in the diagnostic procedures is making an appointment with a qualified medical specialist. Depending on the nature of the pathological process, the attending physician may be:

• Gastroenterologist.
• Vascular surgeon.
• Cardiologist.
• Neurologist.

If you are not completely sure of the cause that caused the pain syndrome, then you should seek the advice of a local therapist. Based on the results of a preliminary conversation, the following diagnostic measures can be assigned to the patient:

• X-ray examination of the chest.
• Gastroendoscopy.
• Chromoendoscopy of the esophagus.
• Ultrasound examination of the heart and abdomen.

Depending on the nature of the pain and the accompanying additional symptoms, additional diagnostic methods may be applied to the patient.

First aid

If there is pain behind the sternum in the middle, what to do in such a situation? In the vast majority of cases, the causes of the problem are traumatic lesions and paroxysmal heart pain. In case of injuries and bruises of the chest, it is necessary:

• Place the injured person in a sitting or semi-sitting position.
• Loosen tight outerwear that impedes breathing.
• Give the patient a sniff of cotton wool soaked in ammonia.
• Put ice or some cold object in the chest area.
• If there are rib fractures, fix them.
• With a strong pain syndrome, you can give the victim 1-2 tablets of an anesthetic drug.

If a person has a sudden heart attack, you must:

• Lay the patient on his back, lifting his lower limbs slightly.
• Release the chest from tight clothing.
• Put a tablet of nitroglycerin or validol under the tongue of the patient.
• Monitor the patient's condition until the ambulance arrives.

In all cases, it should be remembered that pain in the middle of the chest can be a manifestation of a dangerous pathological process. Any delay in seeking medical help can lead to death. To avoid such a negative scenario, it is necessary to contact a medical institution in time.

Any pain causes discomfort, but if it is a sudden pain in the chest, intense anxiety is added to the discomfort. What could it be - a heart attack, a heart attack, or maybe intercostal neuralgia? What to do in this case - wait until the pain goes away, go to the doctor or call an ambulance?

The sternum is a flat bone located in the center of the chest that articulates with the ribs. The sternum consists of three parts: the body itself, the handle and the xiphoid process. With excessive physical exertion, all of the above parts can move. With injuries, bruises, pain in the injured area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe sternum, of course, increases. The same pain sensations are observed when pressing on the sternum, bending the torso.

In fact, the causes of pain in the chest can be very different, from heart failure to lung diseases or abdominal pathologies. As a rule, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, osteochondrosis, stomach ulcers or injuries are such an unpleasant symptom, and therefore it is important to pay attention to the nature and localization of pain in order to identify the problem in a timely manner and respond to it correctly. Let's see what chest pain in the middle can talk about?

Causes of chest pain

All causes of pain in the chest can be conditionally divided into:

• pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• diseases of the bronchopulmonary system;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• neurological diseases;
• injury.

1. Diseases of the cardiovascular system

Often, it is heart disease that provokes pain in the middle of the chest. As a rule, these are serious diseases such as a heart attack or angina pectoris. Regardless of what kind of disease struck a person, he feels a sharp pain in the middle of the chest, which radiates to the left side.

A distinctive feature of angina pectoris is a squeezing, pressing pain that simply fetters a person, preventing him from moving. No wonder such an attack is called "angina pectoris." With angina pectoris, pain can occur not only on the left side, but also in the sternum. In this case, the patient feels the presence of a foreign object in the upper chest. The pain may radiate to the left shoulder, hand or shoulder blade, and be accompanied by a burning sensation. To relieve the attack, you need to put a Nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. Literally in a minute the attack will recede.

Pain, signaling the development of myocardial infarction, manifests itself somewhat differently. As a rule, this is a sharp pain behind the sternum, which increases with physical exertion and can radiate to the inner surface of the left arm or to the left shoulder blade. With the development of an attack, such pain may cover the lower jaw, shoulder and neck, and a tingling or numbness will be felt in the left arm. In a heart attack, the nature of the pain in the chest is sharp, burning and tearing. In addition, such pain is accompanied by cold, sticky sweat, suffocation, anxiety and fear for one's life. At the same time, the patient's pulse quickens, his face turns pale and his lips turn blue. Painkillers and Nitroglycerin do not help in this situation. Faced with a myocardial infarction, you must immediately call an ambulance, because this condition threatens a person’s life.

If there is continuous chest pain, predominantly in the upper part of the chest, this may be an indication of an aortic aneurysm. The aorta itself is a large vessel that comes from the left ventricle of the heart. Vessel dilation, or aneurysm, can occur for many reasons. In this case, pain sensations are observed for quite a long time, and with physical exertion they are significantly enhanced. The slightest suspicion of an aortic aneurysm requires immediate hospitalization. Surgical intervention is necessary to overcome the existing ailment.

Also, pain in this part of the chest is sometimes the cause of a disease such as pulmonary embolism, characteristic of the right ventricle of the heart. The pain in this case is strong, resembling angina pectoris, but they do not radiate to other areas. The main symptom of pulmonary embolism is an increase in pain with each breath. Painkillers help relieve pain, but even after taking them, the pain syndrome does not subside for several hours. Immediate medical attention is indispensable.

2. Pathologies of the bronchopulmonary system

Dull pain in the chest can be an alarming bell, talking about serious diseases of the respiratory system. For example, this symptom often accompanies complicated bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia or tracheitis. A characteristic feature of pain in such diseases is an increase in discomfort when inhaling, and sometimes the inability to take a deep breath.

It is not difficult to explain the cause of such pain. The fact is that the inflammatory process in the lungs affects the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, which causes pain with every muscle contraction in the respiratory system. An additional symptom in the case of these inflammatory diseases is an increased body temperature, as well as a strong cough that does not go away for a long time.

3. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Pathologies of the stomach often lead to this type of pain. Especially often this symptom appears with an exacerbation of a stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer or diaphragm abscess. In these cases, aching dull pain in the center of the chest is complemented by pain in the back and intensifies when you press on the stomach area.

In addition, pain in the heart area can appear after eating (especially if a person has eaten a lot of fatty foods), or vice versa, with an increase in hunger. Such pain develops due to the general innervation of the stomach and may be a consequence of diseases such as pancreatitis or cholecystitis.

Feeling pain in the middle of the chest may be due to strong contractions of the gallbladder. Intense pain in the sternum, radiating to its left side, may be a symptom of damage to the bile ducts and bladder. Pain, somewhat reminiscent of the heart, occur in acute pancreatitis. Very often, chest pain becomes simply unbearable. A person often takes it for a heart attack, not taking into account the lack of spread to other organs. Only with the help of intensive treatment in a hospital can suffering be alleviated.

4. Neurological diseases

Stitching pains in the chest during movement, sharp turns of the body and deep breaths are far from always related to a sick heart. It may well turn out that they are caused by neurological diseases, which include intercostal neuralgia, thoracic sciatica and osteochondrosis. The nerve roots connecting the ribs to the spine are compressed and irritated during the movement of the chest, which causes a sharp dagger pain in the sternum.

Symptoms in the case of these ailments are extremely diverse: the pain can be aching, stabbing, dull or pressing. It does not subside in the case of rest and intensifies with movement. Moreover, over time, the nature of the pain may change. Moreover, antispasmodics and painkillers in this case do not bring relief.

5. Injuries

Previous injuries, bruises of the chest, fractures of the ribs or displacement of the vertebrae can also provoke pain of varying intensity in the middle of the chest. Even if the injury did not lead to a fracture, it is quite possible that there was compression of the vessels and a violation of blood flow to the muscle tissues. The result is swelling and aching pain in the chest. And from additional symptoms, a bruise and discomfort may appear when probing the painful area.

Other reasons

There are other reasons for the appearance of pain in the middle part of the chest. Pain in the sternum may be due to an increase in the thyroid gland, disorders in the structure of the spine are also reflected in pain in the middle part of the sternum.

How to distinguish neuralgia from angina pectoris

In the event of an attack of angina pectoris, the patient feels how the pain simply “spreads” throughout the chest, and in the case of neuralgia, it is localized in a certain place. Moreover, at rest, neuralgic pain immediately subsides, but the intensity of pain in the heart does not depend on physical exertion. At the same time, taking a Nitroglycerin tablet, the same pain in angina pectoris will subside. If it is a heart attack or neuralgic pain, the drug will not eliminate pain.

Symptoms requiring an immediate emergency call

With all the symptoms described above, it is very difficult for a person to understand the causes of discomfort and pain in the chest. However, there are a number of characteristic signs that require emergency medical attention. So, you need to call an ambulance if:

• a dagger pain appeared in the chest, from which one can lose consciousness;
• chest pain radiating to the lower jaw and shoulder;
• pain sensations last more than 15 minutes, and do not disappear even at rest;
• when inhaling, there is a feeling of squeezing in the chest, which is complemented by an unstable pulse, dizziness, nausea and vomiting;
• there were sharp dagger pains with intermittent breathing, high fever and bloody cough.

Feeling at least one of the above symptoms, do not try to figure out its causes. Just call an ambulance and take a horizontal position. Before the doctors arrive, try not to take painkillers (only Nitroglycerin is possible) so that they do not affect the diagnosis. And further. Do not try to refuse hospitalization if the attack has already passed by the arrival of specialists. Remember, the disease is better to prevent than to cure later.