Causes of chest pain during breathing
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Common Causes of Chest Pain During Breathing
Chest pain that occurs during breathing can have many different causes, ranging from mild to serious. The most common causes include musculoskeletal issues, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal disorders, and psychological factors. In both children and adults, non-cardiac causes are more frequent, but careful evaluation is always important to rule out serious conditions Ünver2024Shrestha2024.
Musculoskeletal and Respiratory Causes
Musculoskeletal pain, such as from muscle strain or inflammation of the chest wall, is a leading cause of chest pain during breathing, especially in children and adolescents . Respiratory causes include conditions like asthma, acute chest syndrome (especially in children with sickle-cell disease), and infections, all of which can present with chest pain, shortness of breath, and cough Ünver2024DeBaun2016. Cold exposure can also provoke chest pain and shortness of breath, particularly in older adults and those with pre-existing heart or lung disease .
Cardiovascular Causes
Cardiovascular issues can also cause chest pain during breathing. In children, these include pericarditis, myocarditis, congenital heart defects, and rare conditions like aortic dissection or pulmonary embolism . In adults, acute coronary syndromes, pulmonary artery thromboembolism, and acute aortic syndromes are important considerations, especially in high-risk patients or those with COVID-19, where these conditions may overlap with respiratory symptoms . Rarely, cardiac tumors such as papillary fibroelastoma can also present with chronic chest pain and shortness of breath .
Gastrointestinal and Other Unusual Causes
Gastrointestinal issues, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, can cause chest pain that worsens with breathing or after eating. Large hiatal hernias, especially in elderly patients, can lead to significant chest pain and shortness of breath by compressing the lungs and shifting the heart Gomes2021Hosseini2021.
Psychological and Functional Causes
Psychological factors, including anxiety and hyperventilation syndrome, are frequent causes of chest pain during breathing. Hyperventilation syndrome can mimic heart-related chest pain but is often relieved with reassurance and breathing exercises . In children, psychological causes account for a significant portion of chest pain cases .
Chest Pain After Surgery or Medical Procedures
Chest pain during deep breathing is common after chest or heart surgery due to incision pain. Cold application to the incision area can help reduce pain during breathing and coughing exercises, improving recovery . Deep breathing relaxation techniques are also effective in managing chest pain in heart disease patients .
Conclusion
Chest pain during breathing can result from a wide range of causes, including musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and psychological factors. Most cases, especially in children, are non-cardiac, but serious conditions must be considered and ruled out with a thorough history, examination, and appropriate tests. Management depends on the underlying cause, and non-pharmacological approaches like cold application and breathing exercises can help in some cases Ünver2024Çelik2020Nurhusna2024.
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Diagnostic findings in patients with chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath during the COVID-19 pandemic: what else besides pneumonia?
In pandemic COVID-19 conditions, standard imaging methods should be used to identify common causes of chest pain and sudden shortness of breath, complementing native MSCT with contrasting enhancement in high-risk patients.
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