Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Chest Pain And Increased Heart Rate?
Question: Hi, my heart has been hurting for two days and its beating very hard. It hurts extra when I take a deep breath, it feels as if its enlarged and pressed against my rib cage. Should I be concerned?
Brief Answer:
different possible causes but if due to heart should be assessed.
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Chest pain can be related to any structure in the chest so the pain that you are experiencing may not be due to the heart .
Chest pain can originate from the skin (shingles), the esophagus, the lungs, the sternum, the muscles and other soft tissues.
Palpitations (the heart beating fast) may be related to problems with the heart itself or can be secondary to the pain (pain in any part of the body causes a stress response that can cause the heart to beat fast).
Pain that is worse on taking a deep breath can be due to :
(1)pericarditis - this is swelling and inflammation of the pericardium which is the lining around the heart.
Treated with antibiotics if there is a bacterial infection, also treated with anti inflammatory pain medication
(2)sternum- costochondritis causes pain in the center of the chest, constant, worse on pressing the sternum
Treated with anti inflammatory pain killers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, cataflam
(3)pleuritis- inflammation of the pleura which is the lining around the lungs
Treated with anti inflammatory pain killers
Since it is possible that it is related to the heart (pericarditis), though it is not the only cause, it would be best to see your doctor for an assessment to determine the exact cause.
This would be determined by history, examination ( listening the heart and breath sounds and palpating the sternum)
If pericarditis is thought then you would need chest x ray, blood tests and an echo.
I hope this helps ,feel free to ask any other questions
different possible causes but if due to heart should be assessed.
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Chest pain can be related to any structure in the chest so the pain that you are experiencing may not be due to the heart .
Chest pain can originate from the skin (shingles), the esophagus, the lungs, the sternum, the muscles and other soft tissues.
Palpitations (the heart beating fast) may be related to problems with the heart itself or can be secondary to the pain (pain in any part of the body causes a stress response that can cause the heart to beat fast).
Pain that is worse on taking a deep breath can be due to :
(1)pericarditis - this is swelling and inflammation of the pericardium which is the lining around the heart.
Treated with antibiotics if there is a bacterial infection, also treated with anti inflammatory pain medication
(2)sternum- costochondritis causes pain in the center of the chest, constant, worse on pressing the sternum
Treated with anti inflammatory pain killers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, cataflam
(3)pleuritis- inflammation of the pleura which is the lining around the lungs
Treated with anti inflammatory pain killers
Since it is possible that it is related to the heart (pericarditis), though it is not the only cause, it would be best to see your doctor for an assessment to determine the exact cause.
This would be determined by history, examination ( listening the heart and breath sounds and palpating the sternum)
If pericarditis is thought then you would need chest x ray, blood tests and an echo.
I hope this helps ,feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
