What are the Most Common Causes of Chest Pain?

Chest pain is one of the top reasons that millions of people are admitted into emergency rooms each year. There are several medical conditions and problems that may cause chest pain. These conditions can be something mild, such as heartburn, or something serious, such as a heart attack. Some of the most common causes of chest pain are heart attack, heartburn and panic attacks.

Heart attack is one of the common causes of chest pain. A heart attack is caused by a blood clot that blocks the arteries to the heart, which causes the blood to stop flowing. This blockage triggers a tightness and sharp, painful feeling in the chest area. Other symptoms of a heart attack are shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat and dizziness. The chest pain might go away, but it often comes back more intense than before.

Another of the common causes of chest pain is heartburn. Normally, heartburn is a mild digestive condition that causes a burning feeling in the chest area. It usually is caused by eating certain foods such as fried foods that result in stomach acid rising up into the throat area. There are several over-the-counter medications that can be purchased in order to treat heartburn. In severe cases, a person might need to consult a physician in order to test for more serious conditions or to receive a prescription for stronger medications.

Panic attacks also are considered one of the most common causes of chest pain. These attacks often are caused by an overwhelming feeling of fear, which can result from a variety of reasons. One of the physical reactions when having a panic attack is mild to acute chest pain with an accelerated heartbeat. The pain normally subsides after the panic attack is over. Medications and therapy are common treatments often prescribed by a physician to eliminate or reduce the recurrence of panic attacks.

When a person experiences any type of continuous chest pain, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Although a person might be experiencing only a mild problem, a physician will be able to run a series of tests in order to make the proper diagnosis. During the evaluation, the person might be asked to provide detailed information regarding his or her symptoms, a complete medical history and the medical history of immediate family members.