What is non-cardiac chest pain?
Overview and Symptoms Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a term used to describe chest pain that resembles heart pain (also called angina) in patients who do not have heart disease. The pain typically is felt behind the breast bone (sternum) and is described as oppressive, squeezing or pressure-like.
What are 6 common non-cardiac causes of chest pain?
In most people, non-cardiac chest pain is related to a problem with the esophagus, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Other causes include muscle or bone problems, lung conditions or diseases, stomach problems, stress, anxiety, and depression.
How can you tell the difference between cardiac and non-cardiac chest pain?
Patients with NCCP may report squeezing or burning substernal chest pain, which may radiate to the back, neck, arms and jaws, and is indistinguishable from cardiac related chest pain. This is compounded by the fact that patients with history of coronary artery disease (CAD) may also experience NCCP.
What does GERD chest pain feel like?
You have a sharp, burning feeling just below your breastbone or ribs. The chest pain can be accompanied by an acidic taste in your mouth, regurgitation of food, or a burning in your throat. Pain generally doesn’t spread to your shoulders, neck, or arms, but it can.
How to tell if your chest pain is heart related?
“chest pain from heart problems, on the other hand, almost never changes with breathing or moving around, is usually in the middle of the chest or left sided, often radiates to the left arm and/or neck and/or jaw and/or shoulder and/or back, is often associated with shortness of breath, nausea and/or sweating, and lasts typically minutes or …
When is chest pain not heart related?
Ten causes of chest pain that are not your heart include…. 1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux, is the most common cause of NCCP. It accounts for 22 to 66-percent of NCCP. The condition is characterized by the back flow, or reflux, of the stomach contents into the esophagus.
What causes chest pain not from the heart?
Lung Problems. Also known as pleurisy,this is an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the lungs and chest.
What causes a sudden, sharp pain in the chest?
Heart attack. Image credit: Catherine McQueen/Getty Images.