Causes and When to Be Concerned

Pain in the right upper chest can be caused by injury to the bones, tissues, and muscles. It could also be caused by underlying conditions and mental health issues.

Pain in the right side of your chest can happen for a number of reasons. Most chest discomfort, especially on your right side, is not related to your heart.

Your chest is home to other organs and tissues that may be inflamed or injured, causing you to feel pain. Any aches you feel are most likely due to:

• muscle strain
• infection
• stress and anxiety
• other conditions unrelated to your heart

Keep reading to learn what may be behind your symptoms and when you should speak to your doctor.

Chest pain on the left side is typically associated with a heart attack. If you feel any pain on your right side, it’s most likely not related to your heart.

According to 2019 research, you should seek immediate medical attention if you:

• have unexplained and unexpected severe chest pain
• feel pressure, squeezing, or fullness in your chest
• have severe pain shooting through your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• break out into a cold sweat
• feel weak, dizzy, or nauseous
• have difficulty breathing

Any of these symptoms could be caused by a serious or life threatening condition, so you should seek urgent care as soon as possible.

If you’re experiencing pain on the right side of your chest, here are a few potential causes.

An anxiety disorder or extreme stress can bring on panic attacks, which can feel very similar to a heart attack, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Panic attacks can happen out of the blue or be triggered by a traumatic or stressful event in your life.

Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks can include:

• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• heart palpitations
• nausea
• dizziness
• vertigo
• numbness of hands and feet
• sweating
• trembling
• fainting

Panic attacks can cause chest pain from hyperventilating (breathing rapidly or deeply) since it makes your chest wall muscles go into spasms. Pain resulting from anxiety or stress can occur on either side of the chest.

Because symptoms of a panic attack can mimic those of a heart attack, you should seek immediate medical care to rule out any heart-related issues. Deep breathing exercises can also help stop a panic attack.

Trauma or overuse can cause muscle strain, which is one of the most common causes of pain on either side of your chest.

Muscle strain can happen because of intense upper body activity during sports or overworking your muscles during other intense activities. Muscle pain may also happen gradually as a result of tension or anxiety.

In most cases, resting and taking over-the-counter pain relievers are enough to ease your symptoms.

Chest pain can also happen because of tears to the pectoralis muscle, according to 2021 research. Tears are usually caused by indirect trauma or a direct blow to the chest. Blunt trauma can also result in rib fractures or rib displacement.

Symptoms of a chest injury or rib displacement include:

• chest pain that gets worse with coughing, sneezing, or laughing
• shortness of breath
• bruising
• swelling
• tenderness

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor. They can determine whether your injury will be able to heal on its own or if treatment is necessary.

Heartburn refers to the burning sensation you feel in your chest after eating, bending over, working out, or even lying down at night. It’s usually caused by acid reflux, which happens when your stomach acid comes back up to your esophagus.

In addition to chest pain, you may:

• feel a burning sensation in your throat
• have difficulty swallowing
• feel like food is stuck in the middle of your throat or chest
• have an unexplained acidic, salty, or sour taste in the back of your throat

Indigestion refers to an upset stomach. Although indigestion usually does not cause chest pain, it may happen alongside heartburn.

Symptoms of indigestion include:

• nausea
• early and uncomfortable fullness after eating
• pain, discomfort, and burning in the upper abdomen
• bloating

Here’s how to relieve your heartburn symptoms.

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into your food pipe (esophagus).

This can cause:

• heartburn
• stomach pain
• burping
• a sour taste in your mouth

If you’re experiencing acid reflux more than twice a week, you may have developed gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).

In addition to chest pain, symptoms of GERD include:

• heartburn
• sore throat or hoarseness
• a sour taste in your mouth
• a lump-like sensation in your throat
• dry cough
• difficulty swallowing

Although you may be able to find relief with home remedies, you should talk with your doctor for a diagnosis. They may be able to prescribe medication to help treat or prevent symptoms.

Chest pain is one of the main symptoms of costochondritis. This condition happens when your rib cage cartilage becomes inflamed. The pain can be severe or mild. Although the pain is typically felt on the left side of your chest, it may also occur on the right side.

Other symptoms include pain in your back and abdomen and pain that worsens when you cough or take a deep breath.

Chest pain caused by costochondritis may feel similar to a heart attack or other heart-related conditions, so you should seek emergency care. Your doctor can rule out any life threatening conditions.

Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis) happens when there’s a bile buildup in your gallbladder.

In most cases, cholecystitis is caused by gallstones blocking the tube that leads out of the organ. Your gallbladder may also become inflamed because of problems with your bile duct or tumors.

Cholecystitis does not cause chest pain, although it may feel like it. If your gallbladder is inflamed, you may feel intense pain in your upper right abdomen that can shoot up to your right shoulder or back.

Other symptoms include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• fever
• sweating
• appetite loss
• tenderness when touching your abdomen

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor for a diagnosis.

Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.

Shingles does not cause chest pain on the inside. However, it may feel like you’re having problems with your heart or lungs depending on the location of the viral infection. Shingles can be quite painful on the outside, on the skin.

In addition to a rash, your symptoms may include:

• pain
• burning
• tingling or numbness
• sensitivity to touch
• fluid-filled blisters that crack and crust over
• itching

Although you may be able to find relief with home remedies, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis. They’ll prescribe medication to help clear the infection.

Pleurisy happens when the membrane lining the inner side of your chest cavity and the lining over the lungs, known as the pleura, becomes inflamed. When this inflammation occurs, these linings get rough and rub against each other, causing pain.

This can cause pain on either side of your chest when you breathe in and out. It can also cause pain in your shoulders and back.

Symptoms include:

• chest pain that gets worse with coughing, sneezing, or laughing
• shortness of breath if you’re trying to minimize breathing in and out
• fever or cough if the cause of the pleurisy is a lung infection

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, see your doctor for a diagnosis.

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of your lungs. Pneumonia will make you cough, sometimes with phlegm, which can cause pain on either side of your chest. You may also feel chest pain when you breathe.

Other symptoms of pneumonia include:

• difficulty breathing
• fever
• sweating
• shaking
• chills
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea

Although home remedies can relieve your symptoms, it’s important that you see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. If the infection itself is left untreated, pneumonia can become fatal.

Sudden onset of shortness of breath is the main symptom of pneumothorax, which is a collapsed lung. However, it could also cause sudden pain, though not all the time. This can happen on either the right or left side of your chest and is usually the result of injury.

It may also result from lung disease, ruptured air blisters, or ventilator use.

Other symptoms include:

• shortness of breath
• tightness in the chest
• rapid heart rate
• cough
• fatigue

If you suspect that you have a collapsed lung, seek emergency medical care.

The two types of cardiac inflammation that can cause chest pain are myocarditis and pericarditis. Myocarditis happens when your heart muscle becomes inflamed. Pericarditis refers to inflammation in the two layers of sac-like tissue (pericardium) that surrounds your heart.

Both conditions are typically caused by a type of infection and can lead to mild to severe chest pain.

Myocarditis and pericarditis share many of the same symptoms. These include:

• fever
• weakness
• difficulty breathing
• coughing
• heart palpitations
• fatigue
• swelling of your legs, ankles, feet, or stomach

With pericarditis, the discomfort in your chest can be so intense that it feels like you’re having a heart attack. If you’re experiencing severe chest pain, seek emergency care to rule out any life threatening causes.

Pulmonary hypertension refers to high blood pressure in the heart-to-lung system. This can cause your heart to work harder, leading you to feel pain throughout your chest.

Other symptoms include:

• shortness of breath during regular activity
• feeling light-headed, especially during physical activity
• fatigue
• racing heartbeat
• pain in the upper right side of the abdomen
• decreased appetite
• fainting
• swelling in the ankles or legs
• bluish lips or skin

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, see your doctor for a diagnosis. They can prescribe medication or other therapies to help relieve your symptoms and prevent future complications.

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels from a vein in your leg to your lungs, according to 2021 research. This sudden arterial block prevents blood from flowing to your lung tissue, causing chest pain.

The pain may also spread throughout your arm, jaw, shoulder, and neck.

Pulmonary embolism can be fatal if left untreated, so seek emergency medical care if you’re experiencing these symptoms.

A fractured rib can cause intense chest pain and difficulty breathing. Broken ribs are typically caused by an injury to the chest or severe coughing.

Symptoms of a broken rib include:

• significant chest pain, especially when breathing
• swelling around the broken ribs
• occasional bruising on the surrounding skin
• hearing or feeling a crack

If you’re worried about the pain in the right side of your chest and it’s lasted more than a few days, you should see your doctor. The aches and discomfort may be caused by something mild, like acid reflux, but there’s a chance they’re from something more serious, like pulmonary hypertension.

Once you know what’s going on, you and your doctor can develop a plan to treat your chest pain and its underlying cause. If your chest pain persists after treatment, you should contact your doctor and discuss additional treatment options.

What does right-sided chest pain mean?

Right-sided chest pain could be caused by a variety of medical conditions. You might be experiencing this pain because of:

• an anxiety attack
• a collapsed lung
• costochondritis
• gallbladder problems
• gastroesophageal reflux
• a heart attack
• lung cancer
• musculoskeletal strain or injury
• pericarditis
• pleuritis
• pneumonia
• a pulmonary embolism
• a rib fracture
• shingles

Is right-sided chest pain serious?

Right-sided chest pain may or may not be serious. Sometimes, this pain can signal a heart attack or collapsed lung. Other times, there might be a simple answer, such as gastroesophageal reflux or a muscle strain.

Severe chest pain that comes along with other symptoms should be taken more seriously.

Should I go to the ER for right-sided chest pain?

If you are at risk for a heart attack (you’re older than 55, you smoke, you have high blood pressure), you should go to the ER. You should also go to the ER if you have additional symptoms along with your chest pain, like shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating.

Other cases of chest pain may not need an ER visit. When in doubt, it’s always best to seek medical attention.

What’s located on the right side of your chest?

Your lungs are located on both sides of your chest. A minor portion of your heart is on the right side.

How do you relieve chest pain on the right side?

Pain relief will depend on the cause of your pain. If you’re experiencing a simple muscle strain, ice on the affected area can help. But if something more serious is going on, your doctor will help guide you to find the best treatment.

Right side chest pain while breathing?

If you feel right-sided chest pain while breathing, you may be experiencing pleurisy. According to the National Health Service, pleurisy is a condition that occurs when the tissue between the lungs and ribcage becomes inflamed. The primary symptom is sharp chest pain when you breathe.

Right side chest pain and vomiting?

Right-sided chest pain and vomiting are often caused by acid reflux, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. However, when combined with difficulty breathing, pain that radiates into your arm, and sweating, these could be symptoms of a heart attack.

There are multiple culprits that could be behind right-sided chest pain. Pay attention to any accompanying symptoms you may be experiencing. These symptoms can help you get a better idea of what’s going on.

When in doubt, always seek treatment from a medical professional who can help diagnose and treat your pain.

Read this article in Spanish

Pain under the right breast: Causes, symptoms, and treatments

Pain under the right breast can result from injuries, infections, muscle strain, inflammation, and gastrointestinal issues. It can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health condition.

A strain or injury are common causes of pain under the right breast, and the pain usually gets better on its own. However, it can also result from conditions affecting the underlying tissues and organs, or the pain may be extending from another area of the body, such as the stomach.

In this article, we explore some potential causes of pain under the right breast, along with their main symptoms and treatments. We also describe when to see a doctor.

An injury or muscle strain can cause pain under the right breast.

Injuries to the ribs or chest area are common and can be very painful. Depending on where the injury occurs, this pain may manifest under one or both of the breasts.

Possible causes of chest injuries include:

• knocks or blows to the chest area
• falls
• severe coughing

Other symptoms of an injury can include swelling and bruising. More forceful injuries can also result in bruised or fractured ribs.

People recovering from surgery to the breasts or chest area may also experience pain or discomfort under one or both breasts.

Treatment

A person can usually treat minor chest injuries at home with rest and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Applying ice to the affected area for up to 20 minutes at a time may also help reduce pain and swelling.

See a doctor for pain that results from a serious injury, such as a car accident. People with severe or worsening pain should also speak to a doctor.

It is possible to strain or overstretch the chest muscles, which can result in soreness and pain. Depending on which muscles a person strains, this pain may occur under a single breast.

Chest muscle strains can result, for example, from throwing, heavy lifting, and using heavy tools or equipment.

Treatment

Muscle strains usually get better with rest. OTC pain relievers and applying ice to the affected area for up 20 minutes at a time may help reduce chest discomfort.

Hormonal fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle can cause the breasts to become swollen and tender.

This tenderness usually occurs in the week or so before a person’s period, and it can affect one or both breasts.

Treatment

Taking OTC pain relievers and drinking plenty of water can help reduce breast tenderness from menstrual hormonal changes. The symptoms usually resolve before a person’s period is over.

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage in the costochondral joint, which is the area where the ribs meet the sternum, also called the breastbone.

The main symptom of costochondritis is chest pain, which can occur in one or both sides of the chest. This pain can be dull or sharp and may get worse when taking a deep breath or coughing. There may also be tenderness around the breastbone.

Costochondritis does not usually cause severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, fever, or dizziness.

Doctors do not fully understand what causes costochondritis, but it may result from one or more of these issues:

• chest injuries
• intense physical activity
• strenuous coughing
• illness, such as a chest infection near the costochondral joint

Treatment

Costochondritis often gets better on its own, but it may last several weeks.

Some ways to relieve inflammation and pain from costochondritis:

• avoiding activities that stress or aggravate the chest area
• applying heat packs to the affected area
• taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — NSAIDs — such as naproxen or ibuprofen

For pain that gets worse or does not go away, a doctor may recommend steroid injections or physical therapy.

A person who experiences a gallbladder attack should seek treatment.

The gallbladder is a small organ on the right side of the body that stores bile from the liver. If bile contains too much cholesterol or bilirubin, or if a person’s gallbladder does not empty properly, gallstones can form.

Most gallstones pass without causing problems. However, gallstones that block the flow of bile in the bile ducts can cause pain and inflammation. The episodes of pain resulting from these blockages are called gallbladder attacks or biliary colic.

The pain from a gallbladder attack usually occurs in the upper right abdomen and can last for several hours.

Attacks that last for more than a few hours can lead to complications. For instance:

• jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin and eyes
• nausea and vomiting
• fever

Treatment

Anyone who has had a gallbladder attack should see a doctor, even if symptoms get better, because more attacks may follow. People who experience complications should receive prompt medical attention.

If gallstones continue to cause problems, doctors usually recommend surgery to remove the gallbladder. The gallbladder is not an essential organ, and removal reduces the risk of it becoming infected and causing further complications.

For people who cannot undergo gallbladder removal, doctors may recommend some of the following nonsurgical treatments:

• endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
• oral dissolution therapy
• shock wave lithotripsy

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach slides up through the hiatus, which is an opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a large, thin sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen.

Hiatal hernias do not always cause noticeable symptoms, but they can increase a person’s risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some examples of symptoms:

• chest pain
• heartburn
• problems swallowing
• shortness of breath
• nausea and vomiting

Treatment

Treatment is usually necessary if the hiatal hernia is causing problems. For people with symptoms of GERD, treatment options include:

• lifestyle and dietary changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding foods that make symptoms worse
• medications that reduce stomach acid, such as antacids, h3 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors

If these treatments are unsuccessful, a doctor may recommend surgery to correct the hernia.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain and changes to a person’s bowel movements. These symptoms tend to vary in type and severity from person to person.

Some symptoms of IBS:

• bloating and gas
• constipation or diarrhea
• a feeling of incomplete evacuation after having a bowel movement
• stools containing a whitish mucus

IBS can sometimes also cause referred pain, including right-sided chest pain.

Treatment

Treatment for IBS typically includes some of the following lifestyle and dietary changes:

• increasing fiber intake
• exercising regularly
• reducing and managing stress
• getting enough sleep
• following a specific diet, such as the low-FODMAP diet.

FODMAP is an acronym for oligo-, di-, monosaccharides, and polyols, which are groups of carbs that can cause digestive symptoms, including bloating, gas, and pain.

Doctors may also prescribe specific medications to reduce constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Shortness of breath and chest tightness are potential symptoms of pleural disorders.

The pleurae make up a large, thin membrane that is folded over to form two layers. One layer wraps around the lungs, and the other lines the inside of the chest cavity. The space between these two layers is called the pleural space.

Inflammation of the pleura is called pleurisy, and it can cause the two layers to rub against each other. This friction can lead to sharp chest pain when coughing or breathing deeply.

In different pleural disorders, air, gas, fluid, or blood collects in the pleural space, which can also cause sharp chest pain.

Other symptoms of pleural disorders:

• coughing
• fever and chills
• shortness of breath
• fatigue
• chest tightness
• weight loss
• a bluish tint to the skin

Treatment

Treatment for a pleural disorder depends on the underlying cause and the severity of a person’s symptoms.

For example, if a bacterial infection is causing the condition, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. They may also recommend anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers to help reduce a person’s discomfort.

Some people require a procedure to drain gas or fluids from the pleural space.

Pneumonia is infectious inflammation of the tiny air sacs in the lungs, which causes them to fill up with fluid. It can lead to a range of symptoms, including sharp chest pain that typically gets worse with deep breathing or coughing.

Other symptoms of pneumonia:

• fever and chills
• a persistent cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody mucus
• a loss of appetite
• fatigue and low energy levels
• confusion
• nausea
• shortness of breath or other breathing difficulties

Early symptoms of pneumonia can be similar to a common cold or the flu and may come on suddenly or gradually worsen over a few days. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe.

The most common cause of pneumonia is a bacterial infection, but pneumonia can also result from viral or fungal infections.

Treatment

People with symptoms of pneumonia should see a doctor. Seek urgent medical attention if symptoms are severe.

Pneumonia can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications, and some people require hospitalization.

Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia and the severity of symptoms. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia or antiviral medications for viral pneumonia.

To treat mild pneumonia at home, a doctor may recommend the following:

• getting plenty of rest
• drinking lots of fluids
• taking OTC pain relievers
• avoiding tobacco smoke and other lung irritants
• taking oral antibiotic or oral antiviral therapy, as prescribed

See a doctor if the pain under the right breast gets worse, does not go away, or is interfering with daily activities. Also, seek medical attention if the pain accompanies other concerning symptoms.

Some symptoms that require immediate medical attention:

• severe, sharp, or sudden chest pain
• chest pain that radiates to other parts of the body, such as the jaw, arms, or shoulders
• a bluish tint to the lips or skin
• difficulty breathing
• coughing up blood
• confusion, dizziness, or loss of consciousness

Pain under the right breast is rarely a cause for concern and often results from muscles strains or minor injuries.

However, it can indicate a more serious condition, such as an infection, chest inflammation, or a gastrointestinal issue.

If the pain gets worse, does not go away, or occurs with other concerning symptoms, see a doctor. Seek immediate medical attention for severe chest pain or pain that accompanies breathing difficulties.

Read the article in Spanish.

Pain in the right side of the 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 establishment of the final diagnosis make it possible to prescribe the most adequate treatment.

Treatment

It can be conservative or operative, depending on the diagnosis. Some types of pathologies – for example, hepatitis – require long-term use of antibiotics and the strongest antiviral drugs, others are based on normalizing the diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The specialists of the Energo clinic, who are true professionals in their field, will definitely identify the causes of back and chest pain, select the method that is right for you to solve the problem, and give useful recommendations regarding the recovery period or remission in case of a chronic illness.

You can make an appointment with specialists online , as well as by phone 8 (812) 901-03-03.

Right chest pain

Pain behind the sternum on the right

Right chest pain is a fairly common symptom of many diseases. It is very important to determine the nature of the pain and the duration of spasmodic reactions in order to correctly diagnose the disease. In no case should one turn a blind eye to signals such as pain, because it is not unreasonable. Even if you know what causes your chest pain on the right side, self-medication without examination and doctor’s conclusions is highly discouraged.

In order for you to be aware of the risks of diseases associated with right chest pain, we have prepared for you complete and detailed information about their causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Causes of right chest pain

Pain in the chest on the right side due to chest trauma, excessive exercise, sprains and injuries:

• Strenuous exercise and strain can cause pain in the intercostal and pectoral muscles. This pain is also called krepatura. It appears after active classes in the gym or hard physical work. This is a completely harmless pain, which is caused by the release of lactic acid in the connective tissues of the muscles, as well as partial damage to the muscle and ligamentous structures of those muscles that strained the most. The appearance of such pain is the result of an inadequate approach to the training schedule, an incorrect calculation of the load on the body. It usually manifests itself as an intramuscular pulling unpleasant sensation, and with sudden movements it can intensify.
• Trauma and damage to the chest and organs under its strong but still vulnerable protection can also cause chest pain on the right. For example, a fracture of the ribs reminds of itself with stabbing pain directly at the site of injury, especially when squeezing the chest. It is also strongly manifested when coughing and calms down, as soon as the patient sits down and relaxes.

With bruises on the body, bruises and bruises can be observed. A slight bruise is absolutely not dangerous for a person, although it can cause small hemorrhages and ruptures. While a severe bruise can lead to rupture of the lung and death.

Right chest pain due to viral and infectious diseases:

• Viral diseases can cause pain when you take a deep breath, sneeze or cough. In this case, the localization of pain will depend on the weakest part of the organs affected by the infection. In such a situation, the lung on the right side or the intercostal muscles of a weakened body may hurt. Sometimes with a simple cold, this pain can disappear after a course of special drug treatment, and the patient’s mandatory stay in bed. But there are cases when the patient’s state of health deteriorates significantly, which leads to serious violations of the vital functions of the respiratory system.

Pain in the chest on the right due to disruption of the respiratory system:

• Pneumonia is one of the most serious lung diseases that manifests itself in the patient’s body as an inflammation that can affect both one part of the organ and affect both sides. There is a fairly wide range of viruses and infections that can cause this disease, but the most important fact that everyone should know is that inflammation of the lungs, which is so difficult to treat and in severe cases can be fatal, can be triggered by the wrong medical intervention. Usually pneumonia is manifested by fever, chest pain, characteristic wheezing and cough.
• Pleurisy is a disease of the lungs associated with inflammation of their lining. This inflammatory process causes pain in the right side of the chest, especially during coughing or other diaphragmatic tension. Pleurisy is recognized with sudden painful spasms in the chest, as the ability to breathe deeply is lost, and patients with pleurisy often experience suffocation. Inflammation of the pleura often manifests itself as a post-symptom of pneumonia, and also accompanies the course of tuberculosis, or in cardiovascular diseases.
• The presence of a tumor in the lungs and bronchi, as the most difficult and not comforting diagnosis for the patient, can also cause pain in the right side of the chest. As a rule, tumors in the pulmonary region are classified by oncologists as bronchopulmonary cancer, the main distinguishing feature of which is a dry, choking cough with bloody expectoration. Lung cancer comes with a host of different symptoms, including chest pain.

Pain in the chest on the right side due to diseases of the digestive system:

• Heartburn is the most common cause of discomfort in the right chest. It appears as a result of excessive secretion of gastric juice and its entry into the esophagus. An unpleasant sensation may appear immediately after eating or after half an hour, but there are also cases when heartburn also appears on an empty stomach. The disease-causing effect of heartburn can spread throughout the esophagus, which causes a lot of inconvenience to the patient, as heartburn begins its journey in the stomach and rises to the very throat. In this case, the patient feels a burning sensation in the chest from several minutes to an hour.
• Stagnation of food in the digestive tract. For this reason, chest pain on the right side may also appear. The fact is that during the digestive process, food or liquid can get stuck in the esophagus. This phenomenon often causes pain in the chest on the right, which is due to strong pressure on the walls of the esophagus and is aggravated by swallowing and tension of the diaphragm.
• Diseases of the liver, including any inflammatory acute or chronic process, as well as parasitic lesions of the liver, can cause stinging pain in under the ribs on the right side. It becomes especially strong when pressing on the organ, sneezing and coughing. Separately, it is necessary to highlight one of the types of inflammation of the liver, such as hepatitis.
• Hepatitis, which has several forms (A, B, C, D), is popularly called jaundice, since the skin and the white part of the eye take on a yellowish tint due to the ingestion of bilirubin, which is not processed in the liver, into the blood. However, there are also cases of hepatitis when jaundice does not appear, but in any case, the disease is given out by painful spasms in the right hypochondrium. They arise as a result of stretching of the liver membrane due to its increase. The nature of the pain can be quite varied: dull and prolonged pain may appear, or sharp and intense pain may occur, the impulses of which can even reach the right shoulder and shoulder blade.
• Dysfunction in the gallbladder is one of the causes of pain in the right hypochondrium, associated with abnormalities in the formation and excretion of bile from the body.
• Biliary dyskinesia is a disease caused by impaired flow of bile. With this disease, there are absolutely no organic or structural changes in the gallbladder, but only the motor function of the bile ducts is disturbed. Dyskinesia causes too much or vice versa insufficient contraction of the gallbladder, which explains the violation of the non-synchronous opening and closing of the bile ducts. Doctors associate the appearance of dyskinesia with acute and chronic psycho-traumatic situations, deep intrapersonal conflicts, and individual intolerance by the patient’s body of certain foods (allergies) is also very important.
• Chronic cholecystitis is a disease of the gallbladder caused by its inflammation. Most often, an acute bacterial infection becomes the causative agent of chronic cholecystitis – it can be a mass of varieties of E. coli, enterococcus, proteus, staphylococcus, streptococcus. Of particular importance is a parasitic infection of the biliary tract, contributing to the long-term course of inflammatory processes, as well as changes in the properties of bile, the formation of stones and impaired bile outflow.
• Gallstone disease is an abnormal process in the bile that results in the formation of crystalline structures of cholesterol and calcium salts in the bile ducts and gallbladder. A disease of this kind indicates a wrong lifestyle, excessive consumption of fatty foods and alcohol. Gallstone disease immediately makes you aware of its appearance with unbearable stinging pain in the right hypochondrium. In this case, you should definitely consult a doctor, since only a qualified specialist can diagnose the disease and prescribe an effective treatment. Do not try to cure gallstone disease at home, because it will not lead to anything good.

Pain in the chest on the right, due to failures with the cardiovascular system:

• Angina pectoris is a heart disease that manifests itself in the form of attacks of sudden pain in the chest, both on the left and on the right side. Angina pectoris is a consequence of an acute shortage of blood supply to the myocardium. This is a severe form of coronary heart disease that requires hospital treatment. Due to the lack of oxygen supply to the necessary areas of the heart and lungs, pressing pain in the chest appears. It can take a person by surprise both during the day during physical exertion and at night at rest. Doctors can recognize this disease at the first visit of the patient, while its complications require tests and continuous monitoring of the patient in the hospital.
• Myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is the death of part of the heart muscle, which is directly related to a lack of blood and oxygen supply to this muscle. It is also one of the results of clinical forms of coronary heart disease. It is characterized by a sudden onset of sharp pain that spreads to the chest area and radiates to the left shoulder and neck. In case of a heart attack, an ambulance is immediately called, because if help is not provided as quickly as possible, a person may die.
• Pericarditis is an inflammatory process of the pericardial sac – the pericardium, which is the protective membrane of the heart. Very often, pericarditis manifests itself as a symptom of infectious, autoimmune and oncological abnormalities and heart diseases, and much less often acts as an independent disease. Manifestations of pericarditis directly depend on the intensity of inflammatory processes and their form. Thus, the main indicators of pericarditis in its dry form are pain signals in the region of the heart. By their nature, they are very similar to angina pectoris or dry pleurisy, which is why the correct treatment of inflammation of the pericardium often begins with a great delay due to difficult diagnosis. One of the hallmarks of pain in pericarditis is that it increases with deep inspiration, coughing, or when the body is in a horizontal position. Effusive pericarditis is accompanied by the release of fluid into the pericardial space, the patient feels pressure in the region of the heart, it becomes difficult for him to breathe, shortness of breath appears, as well as squeezing of the esophagus. The patient’s body reacts to such a painful process with fever, swelling of the face and neck appears, and the veins strongly show through.

Right chest pain symptoms

We have previously listed many reasons that can cause pain in the right hypochondrium. However, in order to choose from the list of causes the most likely for a particular case, you need to know the types of pain and the symptoms that accompany it. A correct understanding of the symptoms of pain will allow the doctor to make a correct history and conduct the most necessary tests in the first place and promptly prescribe treatment. Next, we will talk about the types of pain, its localization and what it means in each case:

Pulling and aching pain in the chest on the right can be caused by excessive physical exertion and disappears within a day. Such pain can appear after bruises and injuries of the chest. Often, it develops into a stabbing pain, depending on the nature of the injury, and is aggravated by tension in the diaphragm when a person sneezes, coughs, or takes deep breaths.

Pain in the right upper chest may be associated with inflammatory processes in the lungs. Usually, diseases such as pneumonia and bronchitis are accompanied by high fever, hoarse noises in the lungs and severe cough.

Sudden painful cramps in the chest can begin after pneumonia. Pleurisy develops and then the patient loses the ability to breathe deeply, and very often there is suffocation. Also, spasmodic pain in the upper chest, accompanied by a bloody choking cough, may indicate the presence of cancer in the lungs.

The burning sensation in the chest on the right arises from heartburn and spreads throughout the body from the esophagus to the very throat. Such pain comes most often after eating, but it can also happen on an empty stomach, it all depends on the characteristics of the patient’s body. The duration of such pain lasts from several minutes to an hour.

Acute pain on the right under the chest can be caused by liver diseases such as hepatitis, cholecystitis and gallbladder dysfunction. With liver disease, the skin and eye proteins of the patient take on a yellowish tint, and if you lightly press on the diseased organ, the pain intensifies. It is also aggravated by any tension of the chest.

Unbearable stabbing pain occurs at the very first prerequisites for cholelithiasis. Any problems with the outflow and patency of bile should be solved only in the doctor’s office, since diseases of the gallbladder bring a lot of pain to the patient and can lead to serious complications. Therefore, if it happens that you feel a sharp stabbing pain on the right under the ribs, immediately call the doctors.

If the pain is systematic and has the character of an attack, has clear conditions for the appearance and remission, that is, a certain time and external factors of influence, then most likely it will pass completely if you take nitroglycerin. Because such pain is characteristic of angina pectoris – one of the types of coronary heart disease. The pain appears from physical or psychological stress, and with age, the pain from angina pectoris only intensifies.

Compressive dull pain throughout the chest, starting on the left side and giving spasm to the right hypochondrium, making breathing difficult, and squeezing the esophagus – this is pain from pericarditis. It is quite difficult for doctors to diagnose it, since the symptoms of this disease are significantly similar to other diseases of the cardiovascular system and lungs.

A sharp pain in the chest on the right, which has the character of an attack, differs in that it begins in the region of the heart on the left and gives a sharp impulse to the right shoulder, but then spreads to the right side of the chest. This is a myocardial infarction, that is, a heart attack. If such symptoms have taken place, you should immediately call an ambulance, since the patient’s life without the help of doctors can end at any moment.

Diagnosis of right chest pain

The diagnosis of a patient who applied to the hospital with chest pain on the right is made according to a strict algorithm. According to the nature of the pain and general symptoms, first aid is provided. For example, myocardial infarction or cholelithiasis cannot be confused with an attack of another disease. Therefore, if all the signs are on the face, then in an emergency mode, the patient is given first aid and further treatment. And if the causes of the disease when the patient is admitted to the hospital are not known, then by means of ECG and ultrasound, diseases of the cardiovascular system such as angina pectoris are excluded. Further, depending on what the patient complains about, the doctor takes an anamnesis and prescribes treatment. If the patient complains of a burning sensation in the chest, a special test is performed for the acidity of the gastric juice and the functioning of the lower food sphincter.

The doctor determines the presence of injuries and bruises visually as a result of examining the patient, as well as using palpation – a tactile examination. And if the pain intensifies when pressing on the chest area, then the patient from the diagnostic department is sent to traumatology. If the patient is admitted to the hospital with a high fever, cough and characteristic wheezing, he is assigned a series of routine tests, as well as a computer scan – a tomogram, as a result of which the doctor will be able to determine the damaged areas of the lungs and diagnose one of the diseases of the respiratory system.

Treatment of right chest pain

After the anamnesis and diagnosis of the disease were successful, the doctor prescribes a treatment for the disease that will exclude chest pain on the right from the patient’s life for many years, and maybe forever, depending on the complexity of the disease.

Pain in the left hypochondrium due to bruises and injuries of the chest. The very first aid that needs to be provided to the patient before the arrival of the doctor is the imposition of a tight girdle bandage around the chest. The patient must take an anesthetic – an injection of two milliliters of a fifty percent solution of analgin. If the fracture of the ribs is multiple, in any case it is accompanied by difficulty in breathing and cyanosis. After first aid, depending on the complexity of the fracture, the patient is hospitalized either in the intensive care unit, or in the trauma or thoracic department. In the hospital, doctors maintain normal airway patency and bronchial function, prescribe physiotherapy exercises and breathing exercises for this. To improve the functions of the bronchial tree, massages and inhalations are prescribed. When a rib is fractured, antibiotic therapy is not used, since this group of patients is more likely to develop pneumonia, so they are prescribed antibiotics. In order for the body to continue to recover even after the hospital, the patient is prescribed to wear a special bandage or corset that helps keep the ribs in the desired shape.

Pain in the chest on the right side due to disruption of the respiratory system. Mild forms of respiratory diseases that cause chest pain on the right are treated in combination with simple antiviral and anti-influenza drugs. However, we have already seen that improper treatment or complications can cause the development of pneumonia. That is why it is so important to follow all the recommendations of the attending physician and follow the instructions for using the drugs. The decision to hospitalize a patient with pneumonia and other severe respiratory diseases depends on the age and condition of the patient. Most often, adults are treated at home. But in any case, a chest x-ray and a general blood test are mandatory for all patients before and after treatment. From the inflammatory processes of pneumonia, antibacterial drugs are prescribed. They must be taken according to the strict recommendations of the doctor. Even if the patient feels better, but the course of treatment has not yet been completed, this does not mean at all that drug treatment should be stopped, because the disease can return with double destructive force. If the drug effect on the patient’s body does not give results, then after three days the antibiotic is replaced with another one. Bronchodilators are also prescribed. In inpatient treatment, infusion therapy is practiced, oxygen inhalations are carried out, and massage is prescribed to improve the drainage function.

Pain in the chest on the right side due to diseases of the digestive system. In diseases of the digestive system, heartburn is a common symptom. Therefore, to get rid of it, you need to treat the root cause, that is, the underlying disease. In addition, the use of drugs is prescribed to help pacify excessive acidity inside the stomach. But all this is done only after careful research and analysis. Remember – heartburn never comes alone, there is always a serious gastroenterological disease behind it! As we already know, pain in the hypochondrium on the right is also provoked by inflammation and pathologies of the auxiliary organs of the digestive system, such as the liver and gallbladder. Liver disease is now treatable, thanks to the latest advances in medicine. But still, do not forget that this is a long-term process that requires medical supervision and self-medication is inappropriate here. After all, the liver is an organ that is most susceptible to drug stress, it suffers from incompetent intervention, which can lead to irreversible consequences. Drug treatment should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To cure the liver, hepatropic drugs are used, which combine three subgroups of drugs:

• Cholagogues: improve the secretion of bile and the process of its removal from the body.
• Hepatoprotective agents: normalize metabolic processes in the liver, improve its immunity to the effects of harmful substances, accelerate regeneration processes in various liver lesions.
• Cholelitholytics: regulate the amount of cholesterol in the liver and promote the dissolution of gallstones

Unfortunately, there are times when liver lesions have to be removed through surgery. But to prevent this from happening in your life, you must monitor your lifestyle, habits and nutrition. In this case, everything depends only on you!

Pain in the chest on the right, due to failures in the cardiovascular system. The heart is the organ without which human life is impossible. When making any independent decisions about his treatment, the patient has every chance to make a mistake and harm himself. Therefore, only a highly qualified specialist can determine the seriousness of the disease and decide on a strategy for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The most terrible and generalizing feature of all cardiovascular diseases is that they all have a progressive character. That is why it is so important to contact a cardiologist at the first symptoms in order to stop the destructive processes in the early stages of the disease, quickly and effectively correct the work of the heart. Believe me, the sooner you start treating your sick heart, the more likely it is to restore its work, the fewer drugs you will have to drink, the cleaner your liver will be. Remember that sometimes heart disease has a latent progressive nature, and the patient may not even suspect that it is high time for him to start treatment.

How to prevent right chest pain

First of all, as a prevention of chest pain on the right, you need to control your lifestyle, and not go with the flow:

• You need to eat right, eat more vegetables and fruits and pay less attention to fatty foods, preservatives and fast food. After all, human eating habits affect primarily the work of his internal organs. In lovers of fatty foods, the heart and liver are filled with cholesterol plaques, which leads to diseases of the cardiovascular and digestive systems, metabolism is disturbed, and obesity appears.
• Advice from a qualified coach will help you play sports wisely. They will teach you how to avoid injury and overload, as well as severe consequences in the form of long-term treatment and pain.
• Do not self-medicate for acute respiratory illnesses that could be extremely distressing to you. After all, a simple cold or advanced bronchitis can one day turn into inflammatory or oncological formations.
• If you have experienced a bruise or chest injury, do not think that everything will go away on its own. There is a possibility that the organs that it protects, which are directly under it, are also injured. Micro-ruptures, sprains and hematomas after an injury can remind of themselves in a few months or even years.

Any pain is easier to prevent than to spend your energy, time and unexpected capital to cure it.