Chest pain and chills causes
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Common Causes of Chest Pain and Chills
Chest pain and chills can be caused by a wide range of conditions, some of which are serious and require immediate attention. The most common causes include cardiac, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, infectious, and psychological factors. In both adults and children, non-cardiac causes are often more frequent than cardiac ones, but it is important to rule out life-threatening conditions first 2367.
Cardiac Causes of Chest Pain
Cardiac causes, such as angina pectoris, acute coronary syndrome, and myocardial infarction, are critical to identify because they can be life-threatening. These conditions often present with chest pain that may be exertional, associated with risk factors, or accompanied by abnormal electrocardiogram findings. However, in children, chest pain is rarely due to cardiac issues 2367.
Pulmonary and Infectious Causes: Pneumonia, Pulmonary Embolism, and Lung Abscess
Pulmonary conditions like pneumonia and pulmonary embolism can cause chest pain and chills. Pneumonia often presents with fever, cough, and chest pain, and is suggested by physical findings such as egophony and dullness to percussion, confirmed by chest radiograph . Pulmonary embolism can present with chest pain, shortness of breath, and sometimes chills, especially in patients with risk factors such as a history of intravenous drug use or recent surgery . Rarely, lung abscesses—serious infections of the lung tissue—can cause chest pain, chills, cough, and other systemic symptoms, especially in children and adolescents .
Musculoskeletal and Idiopathic Causes
Musculoskeletal pain, such as costochondritis, is a common cause of chest pain, especially in children and young adults. This pain is often reproducible by palpation and is not associated with chills or systemic symptoms 36. Idiopathic chest pain, where no clear cause is found, is also frequent, particularly in pediatric populations .
Gastrointestinal and Esophageal Causes
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other esophageal disorders can cause chest pain that may mimic cardiac pain. These are common non-cardiac causes and are usually not associated with chills unless there is a concurrent infection .
Neurological and Psychiatric Causes
Neurological conditions such as migraine, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis can sometimes present with chest pain, though chills are less typical in these cases. Psychiatric conditions, including panic disorder, can also cause chest pain, often accompanied by other symptoms like anxiety or palpitations 1367.
Temperature-Related and Environmental Factors
Exposure to extreme temperatures, both heat and cold, can increase the risk of chest pain presentations. These environmental factors may also contribute to systemic symptoms like chills, especially during cold exposure .
Chest Pain Associated with Viral Illnesses
Chest pain can sometimes occur during or after viral illnesses, such as the common cold or flu, which are often accompanied by chills, fever, cough, and general malaise. In these cases, the chest pain may be due to musculoskeletal strain from coughing or inflammation of the chest wall .
Conclusion
Chest pain and chills are symptoms with a broad range of possible causes, from benign musculoskeletal pain to serious cardiac, pulmonary, or infectious diseases. In children, most chest pain is non-cardiac and often idiopathic or musculoskeletal, while in adults, it is important to rule out cardiac and pulmonary causes first. Infectious causes like pneumonia and lung abscess, as well as environmental factors and viral illnesses, can also present with both chest pain and chills. A thorough clinical evaluation is essential to determine the underlying cause and guide appropriate management 12345678+1 MORE.
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