Pain in the heart area - types of problems that have this symptom

Causes of heart pain

Acute aching pain in the heart area occurs in a person regardless of age, conditions and circumstances. However, not every one of them may indicate heart problems. Depending on the mechanism of formation, all chest pains can be divided into cardiac and non-cardiac etiologies.

Stitching pain in the heart area can occur for various reasons, with diseases of other organs with irradiation of the pain syndrome into the chest.

Diseases of the neuromuscular system:
Pain in the cervical spine;
Myalgia;
Intercostal neuralgia.
Pathologies of large vessels:
Pulmonary embolism.
For pathology of the digestive system:
Pancreas;
Esophagus;
Gallbladder.
Diseases of the respiratory system:
Pneumothorax;
Pneumonia;
Pleurisy;
Tuberculosis.
Nervous system diseases:
Panic attacks.
Diseases of viral etiology:

If, with pain in the heart area, there is pressure and radiates to the left hand and little finger, this may result in angina pectoris. Acute pain syndrome develops with myocardial infarction, dull pain characterizes chronic ischemic heart disease.

What to do

If your heart hurts after stress, you need to rule out death-threatening conditions (myocardial infarction, angina). Whatever the cause of cardialgia, you should immediately stop physical activity, lie down, calm down, and ensure sufficient fresh air. The next step is to take Nitroglycerin under the tongue. When your heart hurts from anxiety, nitro drugs will not give the desired effect. A quick result can be achieved by taking “Barboval”, “Valocordin” drops or analog tablets: “Corvalment”, “Corvaltab”, “Validol” and others.

To treat neurosis, traditional medicine offers a large number of herbal infusions, which are brewed as tea. People often use herbal sedatives (extract of valerian, hawthorn, motherwort) in other dosage forms. But traditional (scientific) methods indicate the need to consult a psychotherapist. Sometimes a nervous breakdown so reduces the quality of life and is so difficult to correct that it is necessary to take antidepressants.

Panic attacks often occur at night. At such moments, a person’s fear of death dominates, it becomes difficult for him to breathe, and his body becomes covered in cold sweat. The attack can be stopped with phenobarbital drugs (Corvalol and its analogues).

The key to treatment is to understand the “inside” of the problem. A person needs to realize that there is no factor of external harm, and the source of discomfort is the fruit of the work of his own brain. It is necessary to calm down and learn to control yourself, and, as international recommendations correctly note, it is difficult to do this without the help of a specialist. Regular observation by a psychotherapist, then by a psychologist, allows the patient to understand his problems and be able to reflect on them, which prevents neurotic outbursts.

An important point in the treatment of chronic stress is lifestyle modification. Anyone who has a heartache from anxiety is advised to stick to a daily routine, get enough sleep, and eat a balanced diet. A change of environment—travel, vacation—helps well. If work is a constant provocateur of worries, you should think about changes.

What are the symptoms of pain in different diseases?

Often, pain in the heart area when inhaling is attributed to purely heart diseases, without even suspecting that the real reason lies in something completely different.
How the pain syndrome manifests itself depends on the causes and level of progression of the disease. For example, with heartburn, a burning sensation also occurs in the sternum area. They occur when gastric juice enters the esophagus. Heartburn is also characterized by the appearance of belching and an unpleasant sour taste. These symptoms appear after eating, when bending the body, or in a lying position. In this case, antacid medications are prescribed for relief. When heartburn occurs and pain radiates to the heart area, the cause does not always lie in the esophagus.

These may be symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is also characterized by heartburn;
Spasm of the esophagus with disruption of muscle function, which leads to problems with swallowing and moving food in the stomach;
With achalasia, this pathology manifests itself in disruption of the valve between the stomach and esophagus, with food retention and the appearance of pain in the chest.

Depending on the nature of the pain in the heart area, inflammatory diseases can be diagnosed:

Gall bladder with the development of cholecystitis;
Pancreas and acute manifestations of pancreatitis;
Gallstone disease (GSD).

Painful symptoms in these diseases can radiate into the chest cavity and resemble heart pain.

Pulmonary diseases can also be accompanied by sharp and dull pain in the chest. These signs can occur with pneumonia, pleurisy , with characteristic inflammation of the lungs and tissues that line the chest cavity, respectively. These diseases are characterized by increased pain when inhaling, the appearance of a cough, and an increase in temperature to critical values. Also, diseases can accompany each other and after pneumonia complications arise, which manifest themselves in the form of pleurisy.

The connection between stress and gastritis

28.04.2021

Our body's digestive system is easily affected by difficult emotional situations. Although each person may experience this effect differently, the relationship between these two problems does not change.

It is best to seek medical help if stress and gastritis . The main problem is that many people are not even aware of this problem. Because whenever you feel stressed, you may not understand the symptoms. Sometimes you might think that this is a simple and not so severe stress. However, if you constantly experience this situation, your stomach .

The body and mind are not two different mechanisms that work separately. Everything that happens to one of them affects the other. The digestive system is the system that experiences and directly detects the relationship between these two mechanisms. For this reason, he is very sensitive to difficult situations that people face.

Symptoms

Gastritis is a persistent and painful problem in the upper part of the stomach . It is usually caused by a number of bacteria that cause changes in intestinal flora. As a result, the digestion process is negatively affected. Currently, there is a type of gastritis caused by anxiety, stress or tension caused by a certain situation.

Therefore, if stress and gastritis are experienced at the same time, there are some symptoms that will help us understand this situation. Knowing about these symptoms, it is important to take timely measures. Because delays in such cases can lead to more serious problems.

Among the most obvious symptoms of stress and gastritis are:

acid in the stomach : it is known as one of the main symptoms indicating the presence of stress and gastritis ;
Abdominal pain Abdominal pain is common . These pains become more frequent and intense;
bloating and nausea . _ The abdomen feels warmer and swollen than usual. Sometimes vomiting is also observed;
neck and shoulder pain : these symptoms indicate severe stress. The muscles in this area are stretched and pain is often felt;
skin problems and hair loss: these are also symptoms of very long-term stress. The most common problem is acne . In addition, rashes and similar problems may be seen;
sadness and anxiety: these problems are some of the important symptoms of both stress and gastritis . A person's mood is no longer the same as before. dizzy , weak and restless for no apparent reason
sleep problems and irritability: as in the previous symptom, with stress and gastritis , sleep problems and irritability or one of them occur. If you encounter one of them, another problem will arise;
eating disorders: a person either begins to eat too much or experiences a severe loss of appetite. Both conditions cause digestive problems. In everyday worries, the stomach begins to play a leading role.

Nervous gastritis

In cases where stress and gastritis occur simultaneously, we can talk about a condition called “nervous gastritis.” In any case, such a case must be diagnosed by a doctor . So jumping straight to the conclusion is the wrong behavior. If your stomach continues to cause frequent stomach discomfort despite being careful about what you eat and drink, it's time to consult your doctor .

Treatment for nervous gastritis is similar to treatment for other types of gastritis . The most important difference is that the psychological component must be taken into account. From a physical point of view , healthy eating comes to the fore. In addition, you need to get enough rest, sleeping at least seven hours a day. It is important to eat lean foods, fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of fluids.

From an emotional standpoint , go to therapy . Because in this way it will be possible to determine the main cause of concern. Sometimes we may encounter a specific problem that has not yet been identified. Sometimes the problem may lie deeper and can only be identified through good psychological intervention.

When faced with this problem, the main recommendations are to exercise and work on relaxation techniques. These measures will help both physically and emotionally. These practices are useful for regulating digestion and relieving muscle tension. Likewise, it will be possible to get more oxygen to the brain and achieve better psychological balance.

The most important detail is that these measures are taken on time. If you wait too long, the disease can become chronic and have consequences that cannot be prevented.

Published in Gastroentorology Premium Clinic

How to help with acute pain in the heart?

It is no coincidence that when pain appears in the heart area, they do not know what to do until the doctor arrives. Call the hotline number +7 (863) 226-18-17 , which is best entered into the phone’s memory in advance. Experienced private medical doctors help in emergency situations and transport the patient to the hospital. Emergency medical care is provided in clinics, hospitals and at home.

Before the doctor arrives, you should stop moving and take a lying position, and be sure to call a specialized ambulance. If your heart hurts, self-medication can end sadly and lead to death.

In case of high or low blood pressure, take the tablet as indicated. The patient is prescribed sedative drops , Corvalol, motherwort, valerian, and nitroglycerin. If the pain has passed, there is no need for nitroglycerin; it is also contraindicated for low blood pressure. You can put validol under your tongue. Treatment of cardiac pathologies is prescribed by a doctor according to indications.

What diseases cause pain in the heart?

Acute pain syndrome can also appear with pulmonary diseases such as bronchial asthma and pneumothorax. Asthma attacks cause pain throughout the chest cavity. An equally severe form and painful condition is characterized by pneumothorax , in which air penetrates from the outside into the chest cavity and the lungs can collapse with the appearance of pain.

Among the main causes of painful attacks in the sternum area is also pathology of the peripulmonary vessels. They intensify when inhaling with the formation of a cough with pulmonary embolism , pulmonary hypertension with increased pressure in the vascular system supplying blood to the lungs.

Painful vascular diseases include dissecting aortic aneurysm with characteristic damage to large vessels. This emergency condition can be life-threatening. In this case, the pain is initially felt in the heart area and gradually moves down the abdomen. The patient's blood pressure drops sharply, tachycardia occurs and he loses consciousness.

A classic example of the appearance of pain in the chest area is osteochondrosis , which occurs in the thoracic and cervical spine. The pain is reminiscent of angina attacks with radiation to the left shoulder blade and arm. The difference lies in the intensification when moving, raising arms, turning the head, bending the body.

Sharp stabbing pain is characteristic of intercostal neuralgia, Tietze syndrome . It occurs at the joints and spaces between the ribs and becomes more intense when inhaling. The patient cannot take a deep breath, shallow breathing is observed. In case of pathology, strong anti-inflammatory and painkillers are prescribed.

An extremely painful condition in the heart area is characterized by inflammation of the muscle fibers of the chest and back . It resembles similar acute pain in intercostal neuralgia and osteochondrosis.

Shingles , which occurs as a result of infection of the body with the herpes virus, is no less painful In this case, the nerve endings are affected, characteristic rashes appear on the skin, which becomes sensitive, and this whole clinical picture is accompanied by acute pain in the chest.

Painful attacks can occur during panic attacks, nervous disorders of various etiologies. This category of patients is often young, with an unstable nervous system, and in a depressed state after stress. In this case, pain can appear spontaneously or be systematic.

How does a person with anxiety disorder behave?

Since a person constantly scrolls through negative thoughts in his head, the first sign of an anxiety disorder will be the fact that his thinking slowly but surely becomes pessimistic. And he begins to see only the bad in everything, as if through a distorted mirror. If the ambulance is near the entrance, then it must be to his family; if the husband/wife is late after work, it means an accident has happened. Such a person will definitely pick up only negative information from the radio or TV in the background and in any situation, even positive at first glance, will find more negative things or consequences. A person in the grip of an anxiety disorder will be fussy and impatient. Waiting for something is an unbearable burden for him. He will also constantly feel muscle tension, which is why he literally will not be able to relax.

Symptoms of an anxiety disorder include irritation and anger. This will be a person's first reaction to everything that happens. He will make critical remarks, be ironic, ridicule, or simply be rude. And to the question: “why are you reacting so strongly?”, the answer will invariably be: “I react normally.”

How to understand that your heart hurts?

Pressing sharp pain in the heart occurs with angina pectoris or “angina pectoris,” which is the main precursor to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). It radiates to the shoulder, left hand and little finger, and can radiate to the jaw. The intensity increases with nervous tension and physical activity. It occurs as a result of coronary vascular spasm and insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle due to atherosclerosis. The pain may go away on its own with rest and rest.

Among the most dangerous heart diseases associated with the cardiovascular system of the body is myocardial infarction . It occurs as a result of blockage (thrombosis) of a coronary artery by an atherosclerotic plaque and cessation of blood supply to an area of the heart muscle. In this case, necrosis occurs and part of the muscle dies.

Pain during myocardial infarction causes severe weakness, lack of air, radiates to the left arm, encircles the shoulder and spreads under the left shoulder blade, sometimes to the neck, jaw, and can form far from the heart area. Sometimes the temperature rises. The person breaks into a cold sweat, shortness of breath, and in some cases nausea.

Chest pain occurs in the case of cardiac pathologies of inflammatory etiology, these include endocarditis , myocarditis , pericarditis. They appear after illnesses caused by viral and bacterial infections.

How to reduce the number of seizures

If your heart often hurts due to worry, first of all undergo a cardiac check-up . This is a set of examinations that will allow you to exclude cardiovascular pathologies. Once you are convinced of satisfactory organ function, you can begin to look for a psychotherapist.

What to do if the emotional problem is clear? Experts advise starting to lead an active and interesting daily life. Try to do things that bring positive emotions, not forgetting about rest and healthy eating. It is beneficial to eat large amounts of fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts. You need to replace sunflower oil with olive oil, exclude chips, soda and smoked foods.

It is recommended to increase the body's resistance by hardening. Patients whose heart hurts from excitement can take a contrast shower, douse themselves with cold water, or go winter swimming. In this way, resistance to stress hormones is developed and the reaction to what is happening around becomes calmer.

It is worth fighting inactivity with daily walks, swimming, jogging, fitness, yoga, cycling and rollerblading. These activities will relieve not only worries, but also excess weight.

Spa centers also offer a wide range of relaxation treatments. Aromatherapy and massage are effective.

How is differential diagnosis carried out?

If chest pain occurs, you should immediately call an emergency doctor. Before the specialist arrives, if possible, relieve emotional and physical stress, calm down, lie down and understand the nature of the pain in order to properly notify the doctors.

The doctor's examination includes consultations with specialized specialists, instrumental studies, and an electrocardiogram. It shows how the heart works, detecting signs of a heart attack depending on the stage and location.

Medical care and consultations can be prescribed by various specialists, a neurologist, cardiac surgeon, infectious disease specialist, pulmonologist, surgeon, gastroenterologist, psychiatrist. In case of nervous experiences, you may need the help of a psychologist.

Instrumental studies

In addition to an electrocardiogram (ECG), in case of cardiac pathology, various instrumental diagnostic studies .

Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
FEGDS examination of the digestive organs;
Ultrasound of the heart, pulmonary vessels and aorta;
FVD, examination of external respiration functions;
Chest X-ray;
CT, computed tomography;
MRI, magnetic resonance imaging;
EchoCG, echocardiography and others.

What signs confirm heart pain?

Critical conditions are caused by cardiac pathologies, which can be determined using simple manipulations. It is necessary to understand whether the pain intensifies when inhaling, when raising your arms, bending your torso, or whether you can take a deep breath. An increase in pain may indicate the presence of intercostal neuralgia or osteochondrosis.

The pain may intensify with physical exertion and decrease at rest when angina pectoris , with insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle in an active state.

Cardiac pathologies are often accompanied by sharp pressing pain, difficulty breathing, stress, discomfort in the chest, cold sweat, irradiation to the left shoulder, arm and under the left shoulder blade.

An emergency call to a private medical ambulance allows you to help in emergency situations, do an ECG, a rapid blood test for the protein troponin to determine myocardial infarction, and transport the patient to the hospital.

Rate this article

Article rating 4.29 out of 5. Votes: 48.

Sexual transmission of infections

Sexually transmitted infections or STIs are dangerous diseases that can undermine health and lead to dire consequences. Most of the diseases in this group are…

Hormonal disorders

A woman’s well-being largely depends on the endocrine system. Any hormonal imbalance can cause a sharp deterioration in health, weakening the immune system...

Cervical dysplasia

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or cervical dysplasia is a precancerous condition expressed by pathological changes in cells. In most...