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What are the Common Causes of Chest and Breast Pain?

Marco Sumayao
Marco Sumayao

Chest and breast pain may be the body’s way of warning itself of possible injury to the chest structure. Causes vary from hormonal changes to pulmonary or cardiac-related cases. There are two types of chest pain: somatic and visceral. Somatic pain may come from the skin or the muscles and bones and is often described as a sharp, stabbing sensation. Visceral pain originates in organs and cavity linings.

A person with chest and breast pain might experience several symptoms in varying degrees. These include shortness of breath, burning sensation behind the sternum, and pain that radiates to the arms, shoulders, and neck. Other symptoms include dizziness, profuse sweating, and trouble swallowing. There is also a feeling of tenderness on the chest when touched.

The rib cage. Problems with the ribs can cause chest and breast pain.
The rib cage. Problems with the ribs can cause chest and breast pain.

Musculoskeletal chest and breast pain is usually the result of muscle strain from strenuous activities like exercise and sports or direct physical impact. Another possible cause of this symptom is slipped rib syndrome, which is a result of increased mobility in the 8th to 10th ribs. These ribs, unlike the other seven pairs, are not attached to the sternum. Somatic chest pain is diagnosed in 15 to 30 percent of cases.

Hormonal changes may cause chest and breast pain.
Hormonal changes may cause chest and breast pain.

Pulmonary chest pain is pain, on the other hand, that originates from the lungs. The most common sources are chronic cough, pneumonia, and asthma. In rare cases, serious medical conditions like pleurodynia, pneumothorax, or pulmonary embolus can cause intense pain in the chest. Patients with sickle cell anemia can experience acute chest syndrome, a potentially fatal vasoocclusive condition.

Fibrocystic breast disease may cause chest and breast pain.
Fibrocystic breast disease may cause chest and breast pain.

In women, hormonal change is the most common cause of chest and breast pain. It could be due to puberty, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), or menstruation. Other gender-specific conditions that contribute to chest pain include pregnancy, menopause, and fibrocystic breast disease. There are also certain medications that contribute to the pain such as diuretics, spironolactone, and methyldopa. Other causes include breast infections, shingles, and liver damage from alcoholism.

Chest and breast pain may be caused by pneumonia, which can be diagnosed via chest X-ray.
Chest and breast pain may be caused by pneumonia, which can be diagnosed via chest X-ray.

Cardiac chest pain is considered the most dangerous and life-threatening of all chest pains, the most common form of which is angina. This is when the inner walls of the arteries are blocked due to plaque or cholesterol build-up. Prinzmetal's angina is a type of angina that temporary restricts blood circulation to the heart, causing heart spasms. This usually occurs when the body is at rest and might be related to coronary heart diseases. Individuals experiencing prolonged cramping or heaviness of the chest are advised to consult their doctors.

Discussion Comments

ZipLine

I have something called costochondritis. It causes cartilage inflammation in the chest. Thankfully, it's not a big issue, I just have to take anti-inflammatory medication when I feel pain in my chest or breast area.

literally45

@MikeMason-- Have you seen the doctor about it? I think you should get an EKG to make sure that the pain is not heart related. If it's cardiac pain, you might also experience numbness in your arm.

Is the pain constant? Is it a sharp pain or a dull pain?

If the pain isn't constant and is triggered by movement, it could be a muscle pain. Sometimes the rib cage can also apply pressure on the muscles or tissues and cause temporary pain in the left or right side of the chest, under the breasts.

In women, breast cysts and hormonal changes close to menstruation can cause breast tenderness and pain that seem like chest pain.

stoneMason

I've been experiencing chest pain on my left side for the past few days. I cannot tell if it is really chest pain, muscle pain or breast pain. Is there any way to tell them apart?

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    • The rib cage. Problems with the ribs can cause chest and breast pain.
      By: Jaeeho
      The rib cage. Problems with the ribs can cause chest and breast pain.
    • Hormonal changes may cause chest and breast pain.
      By: ruigsantos
      Hormonal changes may cause chest and breast pain.
    • Fibrocystic breast disease may cause chest and breast pain.
      By: Arto
      Fibrocystic breast disease may cause chest and breast pain.
    • Chest and breast pain may be caused by pneumonia, which can be diagnosed via chest X-ray.
      By: creo77
      Chest and breast pain may be caused by pneumonia, which can be diagnosed via chest X-ray.
    • The build up of plaque in the arteries can cause chest pain.
      By: Diamond_Images
      The build up of plaque in the arteries can cause chest pain.
    • Chest and breast pain might include a burning sensation that radiates to the arms.
      By: Iaroslava Zubenko
      Chest and breast pain might include a burning sensation that radiates to the arms.
    • Women can experience chest and breast pain during menstruation.
      By: matka_Wariatka
      Women can experience chest and breast pain during menstruation.