Chest pain is not always a sign that something is wrong with your heart or that you have another serious problem. The doctor thinks your chest pain is caused by strained muscles or ligaments, inflamed chest cartilage, or another problem in your chest, rather than by your heart. You may need more tests to find the cause of your chest pain.
Chest wall pain is pain in the bones, cartilage, or muscles that make up the chest wall. Chest wall pain occurs in a specific area of the chest and may feel worse when pressure is applied to the area.
Chest wall pain can be caused by many problems, including:
Chest wall pain usually feels different than the chest pain of a heart attack. Breathing deeply, lying on the affected area, or moving, such as twisting to the side or raising the arms, also can make chest wall pain feel worse.
Treatment for chest wall pain depends on the cause of the pain. Minor chest wall pain is treated with rest, ice or heat applied to the area, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen. If the chest wall pain is the result of coughing, the pain should improve as the cough improves.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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