What are the common causes of sternum pain. How can you distinguish between different types of chest discomfort. When should you seek medical attention for pain near your breastbone. What are effective treatments for various forms of sternum pain.

Understanding Sternum Pain: An Overview

Sternum pain, also known as breastbone pain, can be a concerning symptom that affects many individuals. The sternum, a flat bone located in the center of the chest, plays a crucial role in protecting vital organs and connecting the rib cage. While chest pain often raises alarms about potential heart issues, sternum pain can have various causes, many of which are not cardiac-related.

Is sternum pain always a sign of a serious condition. Not necessarily. In many cases, especially for individuals under 40 without pre-existing health conditions, sternum pain is often linked to musculoskeletal issues or digestive problems rather than heart-related concerns. However, it’s essential to understand the potential causes and recognize when medical attention is necessary.

Costochondritis: A Common Culprit of Sternum Discomfort

Costochondritis stands out as the most frequent cause of sternum pain. This condition involves inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum. What are the telltale signs of costochondritis. Symptoms typically include:

• Sharp pains or aches along the sides of the sternum
• Discomfort in one or more ribs
• Pain that intensifies with coughing or deep breathing

What triggers costochondritis. While the exact cause isn’t always clear, it often results from chest injuries, physical strain, or underlying joint conditions like osteoarthritis. Is costochondritis a serious condition. Generally, it’s not a cause for major concern. However, persistent pain or accompanying symptoms warrant a visit to your healthcare provider to rule out other potential issues.

Musculoskeletal Causes of Sternum Pain

Beyond costochondritis, various musculoskeletal conditions and injuries can lead to sternum pain. These include:

Sternoclavicular Joint Injury

The sternoclavicular (SC) joint connects the top of the sternum to the collarbone. Injury to this joint can cause discomfort in the upper chest area. What symptoms indicate an SC joint injury?

• Mild pain or aching around the upper chest and collarbone
• Audible pops or clicks in the joint area
• Stiffness and limited shoulder movement

Collarbone Trauma

Given its direct connection to the sternum, collarbone injuries can significantly impact the breastbone area. How can you identify collarbone trauma?

• Bruising or visible bumps around the injury site
• Severe pain when attempting to raise the arm
• Swelling and tenderness in the collarbone region
• Abnormal forward sagging of the shoulder

Sternum Fracture

A fractured sternum, often resulting from blunt force trauma to the chest, can cause significant pain. What are the common symptoms of a sternum fracture?

• Pain during inhalation or coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Audible noises when moving the arms
• Swelling and tenderness over the sternum

Muscle Strain and Hernias

Chest muscle strains and certain types of hernias can also contribute to sternum pain. How do these conditions manifest?

For muscle strains:

• Localized pain around the affected muscle
• Discomfort during muscle use
• Bruising or tenderness in the area

For hiatal hernias:

• Frequent burping
• Heartburn
• Difficulty swallowing
• Feeling of fullness

Gastrointestinal Causes of Sternum Pain

The proximity of digestive organs to the sternum means that gastrointestinal issues can often manifest as sternum pain. What are the most common digestive causes of chest discomfort?

Acid Reflux and GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and frequent acid reflux can cause a burning sensation behind the sternum. How can you differentiate between heartburn and other causes of chest pain?

• Burning sensation in the chest, often worse after eating
• Discomfort that may worsen when lying down or bending over
• A sour or bitter taste in the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing

Can lifestyle changes help manage acid reflux-related sternum pain. Absolutely. Dietary modifications, weight management, and avoiding trigger foods can significantly reduce symptoms for many individuals.

Esophageal Disorders

Various esophageal conditions can contribute to pain near the sternum. These may include esophagitis, esophageal spasms, or even esophageal cancer in rare cases. What symptoms might indicate an esophageal issue?

• Difficulty or pain when swallowing
• Feeling of food getting stuck in the chest
• Chest pain that may radiate to the back
• Chronic cough or hoarseness

Cardiac Considerations: When to Worry About Sternum Pain

While many cases of sternum pain are not heart-related, it’s crucial to be aware of potential cardiac causes, especially for individuals over 40 or those with existing heart conditions. How can you distinguish between cardiac and non-cardiac chest pain?

Heart Attack Symptoms

A heart attack can cause pain or discomfort in the chest area, including near the sternum. What are the key signs that chest pain might be heart-related?

• Pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the chest
• Pain that radiates to the arm, jaw, neck, or back
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweats
• Fatigue or weakness

When should you seek immediate medical attention for chest pain? If you experience severe, persistent chest pain, especially if accompanied by other heart attack symptoms, it’s crucial to seek emergency care immediately.

Angina

Angina, chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, can sometimes manifest as discomfort near the sternum. How does angina differ from other types of chest pain?

• Often triggered by physical exertion or stress
• Usually lasts for a few minutes and eases with rest
• May feel like pressure or squeezing in the chest
• Can be accompanied by shortness of breath

Diagnosing the Cause of Sternum Pain

Given the wide range of potential causes, accurately diagnosing sternum pain often requires a comprehensive approach. What steps might a healthcare provider take to determine the underlying cause of your chest discomfort?

Medical History and Physical Examination

Your doctor will likely begin by taking a detailed medical history and performing a physical exam. What questions might they ask?

• When did the pain start?
• How would you describe the pain (sharp, dull, burning)?
• Does anything make the pain better or worse?
• Have you experienced any recent injuries or illnesses?
• Do you have any existing medical conditions?

Diagnostic Tests

Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your healthcare provider may recommend various diagnostic tests. What are some common tests used to evaluate sternum pain?

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess heart function
• Chest X-ray to visualize the bones and organs in the chest
• CT scan or MRI for more detailed imaging
• Blood tests to check for signs of inflammation or heart damage
• Endoscopy to examine the esophagus and stomach

Treatment Options for Sternum Pain

The appropriate treatment for sternum pain depends on its underlying cause. What are some common approaches to managing different types of chest discomfort?

Conservative Measures

For many cases of sternum pain, particularly those related to musculoskeletal issues, conservative treatments can be effective. What are some first-line treatments for sternum pain?

• Rest and activity modification
• Over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
• Ice or heat therapy
• Gentle stretching exercises
• Posture correction

Medications

Depending on the cause of your sternum pain, your doctor may prescribe medications to address the underlying condition. What types of medications might be used?

• Anti-inflammatory drugs for conditions like costochondritis
• Antacids or proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux
• Muscle relaxants for muscle strains
• Antibiotics if an infection is present

Physical Therapy

For musculoskeletal causes of sternum pain, physical therapy can be beneficial. How can physical therapy help alleviate chest discomfort?

• Strengthening exercises for chest and upper back muscles
• Postural correction techniques
• Manual therapy to improve joint mobility
• Education on proper body mechanics

Lifestyle Modifications

In many cases, simple lifestyle changes can significantly reduce sternum pain, especially when related to digestive issues or muscle strain. What lifestyle adjustments might help?

• Dietary changes to reduce acid reflux
• Weight management
• Stress reduction techniques
• Ergonomic improvements at work or home
• Quitting smoking

Preventing Recurrent Sternum Pain

While not all causes of sternum pain are preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of experiencing recurrent chest discomfort. How can you protect yourself from future episodes of sternum pain?

Maintain Good Posture

Poor posture can contribute to musculoskeletal strain and chest discomfort. What are some tips for improving your posture?

• Be mindful of your sitting and standing positions
• Use ergonomic furniture and equipment
• Strengthen core and back muscles
• Take regular breaks from prolonged sitting

Practice Safe Physical Activity

Proper technique during exercise and physical activities can help prevent injuries that may lead to sternum pain. How can you exercise safely?

• Warm up before intense physical activity
• Use proper form and technique during exercises
• Gradually increase intensity and duration of workouts
• Wear appropriate protective gear for contact sports

Manage Underlying Health Conditions

If you have chronic health conditions that contribute to sternum pain, proper management is key to prevention. What steps can you take to keep underlying conditions in check?

• Follow your prescribed treatment plan
• Attend regular check-ups with your healthcare provider
• Monitor your symptoms and report any changes
• Make recommended lifestyle modifications

Understanding the various causes of sternum pain and knowing when to seek medical attention can help you manage this common concern effectively. While many cases of sternum pain are not serious, it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to chest discomfort. By working closely with your healthcare provider and making appropriate lifestyle changes, you can minimize the impact of sternum pain on your daily life and overall well-being.

Sternum Pain: What Is It?

Pain in your sternum, or breastbone, may be caused by a number of things, including inflammation, a joint or collarbone injury, and acid reflux. Pain in your sternum may also happen with a heart attack, but this is more likely if you’re over the age of 40 and have heart disease.

Your sternum, or breastbone, connects the two sides of your rib cage together. It sits in front of many major organs located in your chest and gut, including your heart, lungs, and stomach. As a result, many conditions that don’t necessarily have anything to do with your sternum may cause pain in your sternum and the surrounding area.

Your first reaction to chest pain, especially severe or consistent chest pain, may be to think it’s a heart attack. But in many cases, chest pain has nothing to do with your heart. This is especially true if you’re under age 40 and don’t have any serious health issues or existing conditions.

Sternum pain is actually more likely caused by conditions that have to do with your muscles, your bones, or your digestive tract than with your heart or the sternum itself.

Keep reading to learn the most common reasons for sternum pain and when you should see your doctor.

The most common cause of sternum pain is a condition called costochondritis. This occurs when the cartilage that connects your ribs to your sternum becomes inflamed.

Symptoms of costochondritis include:

• sharp pains or aches on the side of your sternum area
• pain or discomfort in one or more ribs
• pain or discomfort that gets worse when you cough or breathe in deeply

Costochondritis doesn’t always have a specific cause, but it’s most often a result of a chest injury, strain from physical activity, or joint conditions like osteoarthritis. Costochondritis isn’t a serious condition and shouldn’t cause you to be concerned.

See your doctor if the pain persists or if you have other symptoms that might indicate a more serious underlying condition.

Conditions or injuries to the muscles and bones around your sternum can also cause sternum pain.

This includes:

• joint injury
• collarbone (clavicle) injury
• fractures
• hernias
• surgery on the sternum (such as open heart surgery)

These aren’t the only musculoskeletal conditions that may make your sternum hurt, but they’re among the most common.

Sternoclavicular joint injury

The sternoclavicular joint (SC joint) connects the top of your sternum with your collarbone (clavicle). Injury to this joint can cause pain and discomfort in your sternum and in the area in your upper chest where this joint exists.

Common symptoms of injury to this joint include:

• feeling mild pain or having aching and swelling around your upper chest and collarbone area
• hearing pops or clicks in the joint area
• feeling stiff around the joint or not being able to fully move your shoulder

Collarbone trauma

The collarbone is directly connected to your sternum, so injuries, dislocation, fractures, or other trauma to the collarbone can affect the sternum.

Common symptoms of collarbone trauma include:

• bruises or bumps around area of collarbone injury
• intense pain when you try to move your arm upwards
• swelling or tenderness around collarbone area
• pops, clicks, or grinding noises when you lift your arm
• abnormal frontward sagging of your shoulder

Sternum fracture

Fracturing your sternum can cause a lot of pain, because your sternum is involved in many of your upper body movements. This type of injury is often caused by blunt force injuries to your chest. Examples of this include your seat belt tightening in a car accident or your chest getting hit while you’re playing sports or doing other high-impact physical activity.

Common symptoms include:

• pain when you breathe in or cough
• difficulty breathing
• pops, clicks, or grinding noises when you move your arms
• swelling and tenderness over the sternum

Muscle strain or hernia

Pulling or straining a muscle in your chest can cause pain around your sternum.

Common symptoms of a pulled muscle include:

• pain around the pulled muscle
• discomfort when using the affected muscle
• bruising or tenderness around the affected muscle

A hernia can also cause sternum pain. A hernia happens when an organ is pushed or pulled from the area where it normally sits into a nearby part of the body.

The most common kind is a hiatal hernia. This happens when your stomach moves up past your diaphragm into your chest cavity.

Common symptoms of a hiatal hernia include:

• frequent burping
• heartburn
• having trouble swallowing
• feeling like you ate too much
• throwing up blood
• having black-colored stool

Check out: Muscle strain treatment »

Your sternum sits right in front of several major digestive organs. Conditions that affect your esophagus, stomach, and intestines can all cause sternum pain. Having heartburn or acid reflux after a meal are the most common gastrointestinal causes for sternum pain.

Heartburn

Heartburn happens when acid from your stomach leaks into your esophagus and causes chest pain. It’s common to get right after you eat. Pain usually gets worse when you lie down or bend forward.

Heartburn usually goes away without treatment after a short time.

Check out: Post-meal tips to ease heartburn »

Acid reflux

Acid reflux is similar to heartburn, but happens when stomach acid or even what’s in your stomach starts to bother or wear away the lining of your esophagus. It can be part of a chronic condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Symptoms of acid reflux include:

• burning in your chest
• abnormal bitter taste in your mouth
• difficulty swallowing
• coughing
• throat soreness or hoarseness
• feeling like you have a lump in your throat

Learn more: How to prevent acid reflux and heartburn »

Conditions that affect your lungs, windpipe (trachea), and other parts of your body that help you breathe can cause sternum pain.

Pleurisy

Pleurisy happens when your pleura gets inflamed. The pleura is made up of tissue within your chest cavity and around your lungs. In some cases, fluid can build up around this tissue. This is called pleural effusion.

Common symptoms include:

• sharp pain when you breathe in, sneeze, or cough
• feeling like you can’t get enough air
• an abnormal cough
• fever (in rare cases)

Bronchitis

Bronchitis happens when the bronchial tubes that bring air into your lungs become inflamed. It often happens when you get the flu or a cold.

Bronchitis pain can also make your sternum hurt as you breathe in and out. It can last only briefly (acute bronchitis) or become a long-term condition (chronic bronchitis) due to smoking or infections.

Common bronchitis symptoms include:

• persistent wet cough that causes you to spit up mucus
• wheezing
• difficulty breathing
• pain or discomfort in your chest

Flu or cold symptoms that can go along with bronchitis include:

• high fever
• exhaustion
• runny nose
• diarrhea
• vomiting

Check out: 7 home remedies for bronchitis »

Pneumonia

Pneumonia happens when your lungs get infected by a virus or bacteria.

Common symptoms of pneumonia include:

• difficulty breathing
• high fever
• persistent cough

Other conditions that affect your gastrointestinal tract or your chest muscles can cause sternum pain.

Stomach ulcer

A stomach ulcer (peptic ulcer) happens when you get a sore on the lining of your stomach or at the bottom of your esophagus.

Symptoms of a stomach ulcer include:

• stomach pain, especially on an empty stomach, that responds to antacids
• feeling bloated
• nausea
• lack of appetite

Panic attack

A panic attack happens when you suddenly feel fear, as if something dangerous or threatening is happening, with no actual reason to be afraid. It’s often a result of stress or a symptom of mental health conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder or depression.

Symptoms of a panic attack include:

• feeling like something bad is about to happen
• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• having trouble breathing or swallowing
• sweating
• feeling alternately hot and cold
• stomach cramps
• chest pain

Check out: 11 ways to stop a panic attack »

Sternum pain can sometimes be the result of a heart attack. This is much less likely if you’re under age 40 or are in overall good health. They’re more likely to happen if you’re over 40 and have an existing condition, such as heart disease.

A heart attack is life-threatening. You should go to the emergency room right away if you have any symptoms besides sternum pain that may indicate a heart attack, especially if they appear without any obvious cause or if you’ve had a heart attack before.

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

• chest pain in the middle or left side of your chest
• pain or discomfort in your upper body, including your arms, shoulder, and jaw
• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• having trouble breathing
• sweating
• nausea

The more of these symptoms you have, the more likely that you’re having a heart attack.

See your doctor right away if you have heart attack symptoms or symptoms that cause you sharp, consistent pain that gets in the way of your daily life.

You should also see your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• sternum and general chest pain that has no obvious cause
• sweating, dizziness, or nausea with no specific cause
• trouble breathing
• pain that spreads from your chest throughout your upper body
• chest tightness

If you’re experiencing other symptoms and they last for more than a few days, talk to your doctor.

You can find a primary care doctor near you through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Your next steps depend on what condition might be causing your sternum pain and how severe the condition is.

You may just need to take over-the-counter pain medication or change your diet. But you may need long-term treatment if the underlying condition is more serious. In some cases, you may need surgery to treat a heart or gastrointestinal condition.

Once your doctor diagnoses the cause, they can develop a treatment plan that can help relieve the symptoms and causes of your sternum pain.

Sternum Pain: What Is It?

Pain in your sternum, or breastbone, may be caused by a number of things, including inflammation, a joint or collarbone injury, and acid reflux. Pain in your sternum may also happen with a heart attack, but this is more likely if you’re over the age of 40 and have heart disease.

Your sternum, or breastbone, connects the two sides of your rib cage together. It sits in front of many major organs located in your chest and gut, including your heart, lungs, and stomach. As a result, many conditions that don’t necessarily have anything to do with your sternum may cause pain in your sternum and the surrounding area.

Your first reaction to chest pain, especially severe or consistent chest pain, may be to think it’s a heart attack. But in many cases, chest pain has nothing to do with your heart. This is especially true if you’re under age 40 and don’t have any serious health issues or existing conditions.

Sternum pain is actually more likely caused by conditions that have to do with your muscles, your bones, or your digestive tract than with your heart or the sternum itself.

Keep reading to learn the most common reasons for sternum pain and when you should see your doctor.

The most common cause of sternum pain is a condition called costochondritis. This occurs when the cartilage that connects your ribs to your sternum becomes inflamed.

Symptoms of costochondritis include:

• sharp pains or aches on the side of your sternum area
• pain or discomfort in one or more ribs
• pain or discomfort that gets worse when you cough or breathe in deeply

Costochondritis doesn’t always have a specific cause, but it’s most often a result of a chest injury, strain from physical activity, or joint conditions like osteoarthritis. Costochondritis isn’t a serious condition and shouldn’t cause you to be concerned.

See your doctor if the pain persists or if you have other symptoms that might indicate a more serious underlying condition.

Conditions or injuries to the muscles and bones around your sternum can also cause sternum pain.

This includes:

• joint injury
• collarbone (clavicle) injury
• fractures
• hernias
• surgery on the sternum (such as open heart surgery)

These aren’t the only musculoskeletal conditions that may make your sternum hurt, but they’re among the most common.

Sternoclavicular joint injury

The sternoclavicular joint (SC joint) connects the top of your sternum with your collarbone (clavicle). Injury to this joint can cause pain and discomfort in your sternum and in the area in your upper chest where this joint exists.

Common symptoms of injury to this joint include:

• feeling mild pain or having aching and swelling around your upper chest and collarbone area
• hearing pops or clicks in the joint area
• feeling stiff around the joint or not being able to fully move your shoulder

Collarbone trauma

The collarbone is directly connected to your sternum, so injuries, dislocation, fractures, or other trauma to the collarbone can affect the sternum.

Common symptoms of collarbone trauma include:

• bruises or bumps around area of collarbone injury
• intense pain when you try to move your arm upwards
• swelling or tenderness around collarbone area
• pops, clicks, or grinding noises when you lift your arm
• abnormal frontward sagging of your shoulder

Sternum fracture

Fracturing your sternum can cause a lot of pain, because your sternum is involved in many of your upper body movements. This type of injury is often caused by blunt force injuries to your chest. Examples of this include your seat belt tightening in a car accident or your chest getting hit while you’re playing sports or doing other high-impact physical activity.

Common symptoms include:

• pain when you breathe in or cough
• difficulty breathing
• pops, clicks, or grinding noises when you move your arms
• swelling and tenderness over the sternum

Muscle strain or hernia

Pulling or straining a muscle in your chest can cause pain around your sternum.

Common symptoms of a pulled muscle include:

• pain around the pulled muscle
• discomfort when using the affected muscle
• bruising or tenderness around the affected muscle

A hernia can also cause sternum pain. A hernia happens when an organ is pushed or pulled from the area where it normally sits into a nearby part of the body.

The most common kind is a hiatal hernia. This happens when your stomach moves up past your diaphragm into your chest cavity.

Common symptoms of a hiatal hernia include:

• frequent burping
• heartburn
• having trouble swallowing
• feeling like you ate too much
• throwing up blood
• having black-colored stool

Check out: Muscle strain treatment »

Your sternum sits right in front of several major digestive organs. Conditions that affect your esophagus, stomach, and intestines can all cause sternum pain. Having heartburn or acid reflux after a meal are the most common gastrointestinal causes for sternum pain.

Heartburn

Heartburn happens when acid from your stomach leaks into your esophagus and causes chest pain. It’s common to get right after you eat. Pain usually gets worse when you lie down or bend forward.

Heartburn usually goes away without treatment after a short time.

Check out: Post-meal tips to ease heartburn »

Acid reflux

Acid reflux is similar to heartburn, but happens when stomach acid or even what’s in your stomach starts to bother or wear away the lining of your esophagus. It can be part of a chronic condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Symptoms of acid reflux include:

• burning in your chest
• abnormal bitter taste in your mouth
• difficulty swallowing
• coughing
• throat soreness or hoarseness
• feeling like you have a lump in your throat

Learn more: How to prevent acid reflux and heartburn »

Conditions that affect your lungs, windpipe (trachea), and other parts of your body that help you breathe can cause sternum pain.

Pleurisy

Pleurisy happens when your pleura gets inflamed. The pleura is made up of tissue within your chest cavity and around your lungs. In some cases, fluid can build up around this tissue. This is called pleural effusion.

Common symptoms include:

• sharp pain when you breathe in, sneeze, or cough
• feeling like you can’t get enough air
• an abnormal cough
• fever (in rare cases)

Bronchitis

Bronchitis happens when the bronchial tubes that bring air into your lungs become inflamed. It often happens when you get the flu or a cold.

Bronchitis pain can also make your sternum hurt as you breathe in and out. It can last only briefly (acute bronchitis) or become a long-term condition (chronic bronchitis) due to smoking or infections.

Common bronchitis symptoms include:

• persistent wet cough that causes you to spit up mucus
• wheezing
• difficulty breathing
• pain or discomfort in your chest

Flu or cold symptoms that can go along with bronchitis include:

• high fever
• exhaustion
• runny nose
• diarrhea
• vomiting

Check out: 7 home remedies for bronchitis »

Pneumonia

Pneumonia happens when your lungs get infected by a virus or bacteria.

Common symptoms of pneumonia include:

• difficulty breathing
• high fever
• persistent cough

Other conditions that affect your gastrointestinal tract or your chest muscles can cause sternum pain.

Stomach ulcer

A stomach ulcer (peptic ulcer) happens when you get a sore on the lining of your stomach or at the bottom of your esophagus.

Symptoms of a stomach ulcer include:

• stomach pain, especially on an empty stomach, that responds to antacids
• feeling bloated
• nausea
• lack of appetite

Panic attack

A panic attack happens when you suddenly feel fear, as if something dangerous or threatening is happening, with no actual reason to be afraid. It’s often a result of stress or a symptom of mental health conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder or depression.

Symptoms of a panic attack include:

• feeling like something bad is about to happen
• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• having trouble breathing or swallowing
• sweating
• feeling alternately hot and cold
• stomach cramps
• chest pain

Check out: 11 ways to stop a panic attack »

Sternum pain can sometimes be the result of a heart attack. This is much less likely if you’re under age 40 or are in overall good health. They’re more likely to happen if you’re over 40 and have an existing condition, such as heart disease.

A heart attack is life-threatening. You should go to the emergency room right away if you have any symptoms besides sternum pain that may indicate a heart attack, especially if they appear without any obvious cause or if you’ve had a heart attack before.

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

• chest pain in the middle or left side of your chest
• pain or discomfort in your upper body, including your arms, shoulder, and jaw
• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• having trouble breathing
• sweating
• nausea

The more of these symptoms you have, the more likely that you’re having a heart attack.

See your doctor right away if you have heart attack symptoms or symptoms that cause you sharp, consistent pain that gets in the way of your daily life.

You should also see your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• sternum and general chest pain that has no obvious cause
• sweating, dizziness, or nausea with no specific cause
• trouble breathing
• pain that spreads from your chest throughout your upper body
• chest tightness

If you’re experiencing other symptoms and they last for more than a few days, talk to your doctor.

You can find a primary care doctor near you through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Your next steps depend on what condition might be causing your sternum pain and how severe the condition is.

You may just need to take over-the-counter pain medication or change your diet. But you may need long-term treatment if the underlying condition is more serious. In some cases, you may need surgery to treat a heart or gastrointestinal condition.

Once your doctor diagnoses the cause, they can develop a treatment plan that can help relieve the symptoms and causes of your sternum pain.

“Extra-cardiac” causes of chest pain

“Extra-cardiac” causes of chest pain – Polyclinic News

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January 22, 2021

If there is chest pain, the first thing we suspect is that it hurts the heart. However, not only the heart muscle is located in the chest. Other organs can also signal problems with chest pains.

1. Intercostal neuralgia – irritation or inflammation of the intercostal nerves. Such pain is most often mistaken for a heartache. This is a sharp or shooting pain, aggravated by any movement and tension of the chest, for example, sneezing, coughing. Most often, this is how osteochondrosis manifests itself – degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.
2. Bone pain is similar to neurological and muscle pain. It is caused by trauma, tumors or inflammatory lesions in the bones.
3. Diseases of the bronchi, lungs are manifested by pain in the chest. Pain on the one hand, become stronger when inhaling, during movement. An additional symptom of pulmonary diseases is a cough.
4. Inflammation of the trachea causes sore pain in the middle of the chest. Characteristic cough.
5. Diseases of the esophagus and stomach can also be manifested by pain and burning behind the sternum and in the region of the heart. Complemented by belching, acid in the mouth, nausea. The pain syndrome is reduced if you drink water, eat something.

If you see familiar symptoms from all of the above, contact your general practitioner or cardiologist.

Reception of a cardiologist in the polyclinic named after. EAT. Niginsky

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Pain in the right chest in men and women: causes, how to treat

There is probably no person who at least once in his life did not feel that he had a pain in his chest on the right. For some reason, this symptom is not considered to be alarming: many people are guided by the fact that the “motor” of our body – the heart – is on the left, which means that there is no danger to life. Some people completely ignore the problem until the symptoms expand, preferring to relieve the pain syndrome with medications available at home. Experts in the field of medicine categorically disagree with such an irresponsible approach – after all, a sharp severe pain in the chest on the right is often a very alarming signal.

Causes of right chest pain

Our body is designed in such a way that all systems in it are closely interconnected, so unpleasant or painful sensations in one area may indicate problems in a completely different place. For example, if you have pain in the upper right or lower right under the chest, this may indicate problems with the liver, problems with the intestines, and even diseases of the spine. And to identify what specifically provoked the pain, a thorough diagnosis using modern equipment will help.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system

With pain in the chest on the right side, almost every doctor will first of all suspect the presence of cardiac pathologies, especially if the patient is no longer young, and the patient himself leads a sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle and has a history of cardiovascular and endocrine diseases.

Aortic aneurysm

An aneurysm is a weak section of the wall of the main artery in our body. In this place, the wall stretches, protrudes, and at some point it can either burst or tear. This condition is life-threatening, therefore, already at the first suspicion of an aneurysm, the patient will be prescribed an X-ray or MRI, where the pathology will be detected and a decision will be made on the need for surgical treatment.

Angina

If it hurts in the chest at the top right, this may indicate the presence of angina pectoris: it occurs due to impaired blood supply to the myocardium and is often the result of atherosclerosis (plaque formation on the inner walls of blood vessels).

Pericarditis

Pathology causes the accumulation of fluid in the cavity of the heart muscle (pericardium), as a result of which its function is impaired. This condition is most often observed in men, and at a young age – from 20 to 50 years.

Myocardial infarction

Sudden acute pain in the chest on the right, more often in women and less often in men, which does not go away even after taking strong painkillers, indicates a myocardial infarction. This is a deadly condition caused by a violation of the blood supply to the heart muscle.

Diseases of the digestive system

Quite often, the patient’s complaints that he has pain on the right side of the chest can signal problems with the gastrointestinal tract. As a rule, such diseases are accompanied by a number of very characteristic additional symptoms – nausea and vomiting, fever, stool disorder.

Hepatitis

A dangerous disease that affects the liver develops as a result of transfusion of infected blood into the human body (forms B and C), and is also transmitted through dirty hands (form A). A characteristic symptom of hepatitis is not only pain, but also yellowing of the whites of the eyes, associated with an increase in the amount of bilirubin in the blood.

Gastric ulcer

It can appear as a response of the body to the abuse of spicy, fatty and fried foods, as well as alcohol. Often, peptic ulcer disease is preceded by other lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. Pathology is characterized by the formation of perforation in the wall of the stomach, through which its contents enter the abdominal cavity. As a rule, with an ulcer, the patient complains that the pain is most intense on the right (including in the chest) during or after eating.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in our country is not treated very responsibly, believing that it is enough to stop pain symptoms. In fact, such a careless attitude to the disease can lead to a number of more serious problems that will require urgent surgical intervention.

Respiratory diseases

Quite often, when asked why it hurts in the chest on the right, doctors give the most obvious answer: there are problems with the lungs or bronchi. Painful sensations of varying degrees of intensity on the right side of the sternum may indicate pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleurisy, as well as the presence of malignant tumors in the lung cavity or cancerous metastases.

Spinal problems

The back is also often able to “give” under the ribs or into the chest. This occurs if there is an injury, sprain after intense physical exertion, and as the main concomitant symptom of some pathological conditions.

Intercostal neuralgia

This term is understood as compression of the roots of the intercostal nerves. As a result, the latter are irritated and respond with intense pain in the chest on the right or left, often radiating under the shoulder blade.

Herniated disc

This is a musculoskeletal disease in which there is a gradual thinning of the wall of the fibrous ring and, as a result, its rupture.

Scoliosis

The “sore”, which parents and school teachers used to scare us in childhood, is not as harmless as it might seem. Deforming over time, the spine often produces more or less intense pain and a variety of pathologies.

Ankylosing spondylitis

The situation in which it hurts in the back and / or chest on the right is a frequent companion of this pathology, manifested by inflammation of the intervertebral joints. The disease is chronic, limits joint mobility, stops growth, and ultimately leads to disability.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of any of the above diseases includes a visual examination, palpation, referral for blood and urine tests. Also a neurologist will most likely recommend that you make an appointment for an ultrasound, X-ray or MRI. The results of the studies and the final diagnosis make it possible to prescribe the most adequate treatment.

Treatment

It can be conservative or operative, depending on the diagnosis.