The occurrence of a sudden chest pain can often cause an individual to assume that he or she is experiencing a heart attack. In actuality, there are a number of different reasons why some form of chest pain may occur from time to time. Some of those reasons are as simple as a reaction to medication, the presence of depression or anxiety, or straining of of the muscles in the upper arms or along the upper portion of the chest.
One common cause for sudden chest pain is the presence of some type of ongoing health issue that is not connected with the heart. For example, people with asthma may sometimes feel painful twinges on one or both sides of the chest. Depression and anxiety are manifested by a number of different physical symptoms that come and go with no set pattern, including sudden chest pain. In situations where the pain can be linked to a specific ongoing emotional or physical health condition, treating that underlying condition will often cause the chest pain to cease.
There are also short-term ailments that can lead to a bout of sudden chest pain. Inflammation of the chest wall can create pain that is very much like that of a heart attack, and may seem to recur at times when the individual is fatigued or attempting to rest. Accidentally straining muscles in the upper chest can lead to chest pain that recurs throughout the course of the day. A sudden gall bladder attack will cause a great deal of pain in the chest area, which will not subside until medication is administered. Should something cause the esophagus to spasm, the pain that results can be extremely uncomfortable as well as frightening.
Along with these less intimidating reasons for sudden chest pain, the discomfort could also be a warning sign that something is not functioning properly with the heart. The root cause of the pain may be something as simple as an enlarged heart or fluid collecting around the heart. The pain may also be due to a blockage in one or more of the arteries, or some other defect that is making it difficult for the heart to function as it should. Since sudden chest pain may be a sign that something is seriously wrong, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Doing so will make it possible to receive treatment that may help prevent a heart attack, or at identify a lesser health issue that is causing the problem and receive relief in a short period of time.
