What causes pain in the breastbone. How to recognize symptoms of costochondritis. When does sternum pain indicate a serious condition. What are the common treatments for sternum discomfort. How to distinguish between heartburn and chest pain.

Understanding Sternum Pain: More Than Just a Heart Attack

Sternum pain, also known as breastbone discomfort, can be alarming for many people. While chest pain is often associated with heart attacks, the reality is that sternum pain can have numerous causes, many of which are not life-threatening. Understanding the various factors that can lead to sternum pain is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The sternum, or breastbone, is a flat bone that connects the ribs and helps protect vital organs in the chest cavity. Due to its central location, pain in this area can be caused by a variety of conditions affecting nearby structures, including muscles, bones, and digestive organs.

Is sternum pain always a sign of a heart attack?

No, sternum pain is not always indicative of a heart attack. In fact, for individuals under 40 without pre-existing health conditions, sternum pain is more likely to be caused by musculoskeletal issues, digestive problems, or inflammation rather than cardiac events. However, it’s important to note that chest pain should never be ignored, especially if you’re over 40 or have risk factors for heart disease.

Costochondritis: The Most Common Cause of Sternum Pain

Costochondritis is the most frequent cause of sternum pain. This condition occurs when the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum becomes inflamed. Understanding the symptoms and causes of costochondritis can help differentiate it from more serious conditions.

What are the symptoms of costochondritis?

The primary symptoms of costochondritis include:

• Sharp pains or aches on the side of your sternum area
• Pain or discomfort in one or more ribs
• Increased pain when coughing or breathing deeply

Costochondritis is often caused by chest injuries, physical strain, or joint conditions like osteoarthritis. While it can be uncomfortable, it’s generally not a cause for serious concern.

How is costochondritis treated?

Treatment for costochondritis typically involves:

1. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen
2. Rest and avoiding activities that exacerbate the pain
3. Applying heat or ice to the affected area
4. Gentle stretching exercises

If symptoms persist or worsen, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment options.

Musculoskeletal Causes of Sternum Pain

Beyond costochondritis, several musculoskeletal conditions can lead to sternum pain. Understanding these potential causes can help in identifying the source of discomfort and seeking appropriate treatment.

What are common musculoskeletal causes of sternum pain?

Some frequent musculoskeletal causes of sternum pain include:

• Sternoclavicular joint injury
• Collarbone (clavicle) trauma
• Sternum fractures
• Muscle strains
• Hernias

Each of these conditions has unique symptoms and requires specific treatment approaches. Let’s explore them in more detail.

Sternoclavicular Joint Injury

The sternoclavicular (SC) joint connects the top of the sternum to the collarbone. Injury to this joint can cause pain and discomfort in the upper chest area. Symptoms often include:

• Mild pain or aching around the upper chest and collarbone
• Popping or clicking sounds in the joint
• Stiffness and limited shoulder movement

Collarbone Trauma

Given the collarbone’s direct connection to the sternum, any trauma to this bone can affect the sternum area. Common symptoms of collarbone injuries include:

• Bruising or bumps around the collarbone
• Intense pain when moving the arm upward
• Swelling and tenderness
• Abnormal sagging of the shoulder

Sternum Fractures

Fractures of the sternum are often caused by blunt force trauma to the chest, such as during car accidents or high-impact sports. Symptoms of a sternum fracture may include:

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

Digestive Issues Causing Sternum Pain

The sternum’s proximity to major digestive organs means that gastrointestinal conditions can often manifest as sternum pain. Understanding these digestive causes can help in distinguishing between cardiac and non-cardiac chest pain.

Can heartburn cause sternum pain?

Yes, heartburn is a common cause of sternum pain. It occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest. This discomfort can often be mistaken for cardiac-related chest pain.

What are the symptoms of heartburn?

Common symptoms of heartburn include:

• A burning sensation in the chest, often behind the breastbone
• Pain that worsens when lying down or bending over
• A bitter or acidic taste in the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing

How can you distinguish between heartburn and heart attack pain?

While both conditions can cause chest discomfort, there are some key differences:

• Heartburn pain often improves with antacids, while heart attack pain does not
• Heartburn is usually related to eating and may worsen when lying down
• Heart attack pain is often accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, and radiating pain to the arm or jaw

If you’re unsure about the cause of your chest pain, it’s always best to seek medical attention, especially if you have risk factors for heart disease.

Hernias and Their Impact on Sternum Pain

Hernias, particularly hiatal hernias, can contribute to sternum pain. Understanding the symptoms and implications of hernias can aid in proper diagnosis and treatment.

What is a hiatal hernia?

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. This condition can cause symptoms that may be mistaken for sternum pain.

What are the symptoms of a hiatal hernia?

Common symptoms of a hiatal hernia include:

• Frequent burping
• Heartburn
• Difficulty swallowing
• Feeling of fullness after eating small amounts
• In severe cases, vomiting blood or passing black stools

If you experience these symptoms, particularly if they’re persistent or severe, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Sternum Pain

While many causes of sternum pain are not life-threatening, it’s crucial to know when to seek medical attention. Certain symptoms or circumstances warrant immediate medical evaluation.

When should you see a doctor for sternum pain?

You should seek medical attention if:

• The pain is severe or persistent
• You experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• The pain radiates to your arm, jaw, or back
• You have a history of heart disease or are at high risk for heart problems
• The pain is accompanied by fever, nausea, or vomiting
• You’ve recently experienced trauma to the chest area

Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to chest pain. If you’re unsure about the severity of your symptoms, consult a healthcare professional.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Sternum Pain

Proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of sternum pain. Healthcare providers use various methods to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

How is the cause of sternum pain diagnosed?

Diagnosis may involve:

• Physical examination
• Medical history review
• Imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs
• Blood tests to rule out certain conditions
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess heart function

What are common treatments for sternum pain?

Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause but may include:

• Pain relief medications
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Physical therapy
• Lifestyle modifications
• In some cases, surgical intervention

Your healthcare provider will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on the specific cause of your sternum pain.

Preventing Sternum Pain: Lifestyle and Exercise Tips

While not all causes of sternum pain are preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and maintain overall chest health.

How can you prevent sternum pain?

Consider these preventive measures:

• Practice good posture to reduce strain on chest muscles
• Warm up properly before engaging in physical activities
• Use proper form when lifting heavy objects
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on your joints and muscles
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques
• Avoid foods that trigger heartburn if you’re prone to acid reflux

By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can help minimize the risk of developing conditions that cause sternum pain.

Are there exercises to strengthen the chest area?

Yes, certain exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the sternum, potentially reducing the risk of strain or injury. These may include:

• Gentle chest stretches
• Low-impact cardiovascular exercises
• Shoulder blade squeezes
• Wall push-ups

Always consult with a healthcare provider or physical therapist before starting a new exercise routine, especially if you have a history of chest pain or injuries.

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.

Chest pain: causes and treatment

Oncologist

Zhukov

Elena Nikolaevna

Experience 11 years

Oncologist, member of the Russian Society of Mammologists, member of RUSSCO (Professional Society of Oncologists-Chemotherapists), member of the European Oncological Society ESMO

Make an appointment

When a woman has chest pains, it is almost impossible to miss this phenomenon. Sharp, sharp or pulling pains can resemble a burning sensation or many tiny pricks. There can be a lot of reasons that provoked the appearance of such a symptom. Many of them are not at all as harmless as they might seem, so you should not ignore the increased soreness of the chest, but seek qualified medical help.

Causes of breast pain in women

Hormonal changes

Hormonal surges are one of the most common causes, regardless of whether the chest hurts a little or a lot.

As a rule, they do not pose a threat, as they report changes in the phases of the menstrual cycle. So, from about 13 to 17 days of the cycle, chest pain may increase with approaching ovulation. It also often hurts the chest before menstruation. This is due to the fact that due to hormonal changes, the mammary glands begin to retain more fluid, the breasts slightly increase and begin to ache.

However, if you have a feeling that was not characteristic before, it is better to play it safe and consult a doctor.

Period delay

With a stable monthly cycle and the absence of external factors that can provoke a delay in critical days (strong stress, lack of nutrition and sleep), the chest often hurts with the onset of pregnancy.

To confirm or refute the suspicion, it is recommended to do a pregnancy test or perform an ultrasound scan.

Taking hormonal drugs

Often, oral contraceptives on a hormonal basis sin with this.

Convincing the brain that the level of progesterone is at a consistently high level, when in fact it was not included in the work, contraceptives make the female body feel all the indicators of the cycle conceived by nature: ovulation and pregnancy.

Despite their high reliability, contraceptives have a great impact on the hormonal system of a woman, and therefore you cannot prescribe them yourself. A competent gynecologist will quickly select the drug that is most suitable for a particular patient.

Breastfeeding

Women often experience chest pain while breastfeeding. This may mean that the baby does not eat all the milk produced by the mother’s body, and it remains in the ducts. In order to prevent stagnation of milk and the formation of an inflammatory process, you should express it yourself.

Another reason may be the wrong grip of the nipple by the baby, the situation will be helped by the nurses of the maternity hospital or the obstetrician-gynecologist.

Menopause

Often, a woman’s chest hurts during her entry into menopause, which is accompanied by a large-scale hormonal restructuring of the body.

The symptom occurs due to the growth of fat cells at that time, as well as the exacerbation of other diseases, one of the signs of which is that the chest is very sore.

Chest injury

If the lower chest or upper chest hurts, the right or left chest hurts, and in general the chest experiences at least some pain after a blow or bruise, it is recommended to contact a specialist – a traumatologist, mammologist or oncologist – so that he excludes the possibility of serious consequences.

Breast diseases

If the chest suddenly began to hurt, and pregnancy, menopause and other common causes are excluded, then most likely one of the diseases occurs, and you should urgently see a gynecologist or oncologist.

• Mastopathy – proliferation of glandular tissue. It is accompanied by seals in the chest area and is treated medically or surgically.
• A cyst is a neoplasm with fluid inside it. Require careful examination by a mammologist, oncologist, gynecologist or surgeon to determine the risks of rupture and prescribe treatment.
• A benign tumor is an overgrowth of tissues, as a result of which the chest hurts, it pulls. Often treated with surgery.
• Mastitis is an inflammation associated with disorders in the process of breastfeeding or hormones.
• Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that requires inclusion in the examination of an oncologist.

Chest pain treatment

It is extremely important to immediately go to a specialist when the first chest pains appear. If the symptom is provoked by any disease, such efficiency will not allow its intensive development.

It is equally important to find a truly competent specialist who works with proven and reliable diagnostic equipment. It is on the accuracy of the testimony of the latter that it largely depends on how accurate the diagnosis will be made and, therefore, the optimal course of treatment is selected.

A large staff of high-class therapists, gynecologists, oncologists, surgeons and ultrasound diagnostics specialists has been assembled at JSC “Medicine” (clinic of academician Roitberg). Conveniently located in the center of Moscow, the building of the medical center has many comfortable access roads, in particular, it is notable for the close location of the Tverskaya, Chekhovskaya, Novoslobodskaya, Belorusskaya and Mayakovskaya metro stations.

Reception of specialists is carried out by appointment. To get a consultation, just call the round-the-clock phone +7 (495) 775-73-60 or leave an appointment request in the form of a return appointment on the main page of the clinic website https://www. medicina.ru.

News – If your chest hurts…

According to medical statistics, about 65-70% of women are concerned about pain in the chest. They may be permanent or they may occur intermittently. A complex of symptoms, which is engorgement, an increase in size, swelling, soreness of the mammary glands, is called mastodynia or mastalgia.

The term “mastodynia” was first used by the German surgeon Billroth as early as 1880 to describe pain in the breast area. Mastodynia is not a natural state of the body, it is a sign of ill health that requires special attention.

Doctors distinguish between cyclic and non-cyclic mastodynia. The first occurs a few days before the onset of menstruation and is characterized by the weakening or disappearance of symptoms with the onset of the first day of the cycle. The second type of mastodynia is characterized by almost non-passing pain sensations (more often in one mammary gland) and usually has nothing to do with the stage of the menstrual cycle.

Main manifestations of mastodynia:

• As a separate ailment, not accompanied by other symptoms of PMS. It occurs in 9-10% of healthy girls.

• As one of the symptoms of PMS, occurring in more than 60% of girls who suffer from this syndrome. Approximately in the middle of the cycle, they develop and gradually increase pain and tension in the mammary glands. Moreover, soreness of the chest is usually combined with a feeling of heaviness in it, as well as heat and fullness.

• As a symptom of mastopathy, or benign dysplasia of breast tissue. This kind of mastodynia disturbs almost half of the women suffering from this ailment. The degree of expression in this case is different. At the beginning of the development of diffuse mastopathy, the degree of compaction and soreness of the breast is quite high, which makes a woman see a doctor. With the transition to a later stage, when nodules appear in the mammary gland, the manifestations of mastodynia may weaken.

• As a side effect of the use of hormonal drugs, such as OK-oral contraceptives. Most often, this kind of mastodynia causes inconvenience only during the first months of taking hormones, in the so-called adaptation period. Over time, breast tenderness may decrease. Although in this case it is advisable to seek the advice of a doctor. Sometimes the appearance of mastodynia while taking oral contraceptives signals the need to replace or even cancel the drug.

Mastodynia may indicate a fairly serious problem in the female body. Therefore, with soreness of the breast and other unpleasant sensations in the mammary glands, you should not hesitate to visit a mammologist. Usually, girls with complaints of mastodynia after an external examination and palpation (palpation) of the breast are sent for further examination in order to exclude the presence of tumors. To do this, up to 40 years, ultrasound of the mammary glands is performed, and at a more mature age, mammography is also performed.