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What are the Most Common Causes of Constant Chest Pain?

Jacob Queen
Jacob Queen

The most common causes of constant chest pain are generally gastrointestinal disorders and a serious circulatory condition called angina. Other causes that are relatively common include musculature problems and various lung-related illnesses. Chronic chest pain usually isn’t a sign of heart attack, although it can potentially be a sign that something serious is happening. It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between less serious causes of chest pain and emergency situations, so seeking medical treatment is generally advised when an undiagnosed chest pain develops.

In many cases, disorders related to an overabundance of stomach acid can potentially cause chest pain. The body will often reflexively push some of this acid up through the digestive tract, and it can cause some unusual pain symptoms. Sometimes this can feel like heartburn, and other times it can cause a dull ache. This sort of constant chest pain is very common, and can usually be treated with either over-the-counter or prescription medications.

An overabundance of stomach acid may cause constant chest pain.
An overabundance of stomach acid may cause constant chest pain.

Angina is a disorder that often results in constant chest pain. It happens because the blood flow to the heart is being restricted by plaque in the arteries. When people develop angina, it is generally a progressive problem, and it is often a precursor to a heart attack. For this reason, people are advised to seek medical attention and begin the process of heading off future heart complications. This may involve lifestyle changes and the use of various medications.

Chronic chest pain may be caused by asthma.
Chronic chest pain may be caused by asthma.

If people lift weights or do any other kind of strenuous physical activity, it is not that abnormal for them to pull muscles in their chests. This can lead to constant pain in the region of the pulled muscle. Chest muscles also have a tendency to be reinjured, so the pain may linger for a long time if the individual doesn’t care for the injury well enough.

Chronic chest pain may can be caused by pneumonia, which can be diagnosed via chest X-ray.
Chronic chest pain may can be caused by pneumonia, which can be diagnosed via chest X-ray.

Another cause of constant chest pain is some sort of problem with the lungs. Some of these issues can be quite dangerous, including pneumonia or pleurisy. In some cases, lung cancer can also lead to a dull pain in the chest, and this is obviously a serious situation. According to most experts, any sort of chest pain that is accompanied by breathing problems generally requires medical attention.

Exposure to an irritant such as mold can cause constant chest pain.
Exposure to an irritant such as mold can cause constant chest pain.

A heart attack tends to cause a squeezing kind of pain, and in many cases, the pain will radiate outward from the chest into the arm or the face. Heart attack pain is also often more intense than some other chest pain, but not always. According to some experts, it generally pays to be cautious and treat any unusual chest pain as a possible emergency.

Discussion Comments

anon967524

I have had left chest pains for six months. I was treated by many doctors. Now I am having pain in my back, too. Please help me.

umbra21

My mother was convinced that she had just become unfit and that was why she was getting breathless every time she had to walk up a hill. She started getting little chest pains as well, which she attributed to the fitness thing as well.

Eventually it got so bad that I was able to convince her to go and see a doctor and it turned out that her heart wasn't beating properly. She ended up having to get a pacemaker, and the doctor told her recently that if she hadn't got it, she would have died by now, because her heart was so damaged that it probably can't beat by itself anymore.

It wasn't anything she did to it, either. They think she just caught a virus or something. But it does show that it's a good idea to go and get a check up, even if you tend to just blame yourself whenever your health seems a bit off. Chest pain and difficulty breathing are a big deal.

bythewell

@Iluviaporos - Yeah, I sometimes get chest muscle pain for that reason as well, but it doesn't always help to get a proper fit on a bra. I just happen to have a large chest and there's not much I can do about it, other than getting a reduction.

One thing that I have found helps is to work out the muscles of my arms and shoulders and chest area. But even that can't get rid of the aches entirely.

lluviaporos

Another thing that can cause chest pain is if you've got a bra that doesn't fit right. The muscles in the chest can be overworked or just stressed by too much pressure.

I used to get a sharp chest pain that scared me when I was a student, until I realized that it only happened when I was wearing a particular bra. I threw it out and went and got myself properly fitted, even though it was quite expensive.

I'm not sure if it was the underwire or the straps that were causing the problem, but I haven't had that pain since.

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    • An overabundance of stomach acid may cause constant chest pain.
      By: ruigsantos
      An overabundance of stomach acid may cause constant chest pain.
    • Chronic chest pain may be caused by asthma.
      By: vbaleha
      Chronic chest pain may be caused by asthma.
    • Chronic chest pain may can be caused by pneumonia, which can be diagnosed via chest X-ray.
      By: creo77
      Chronic chest pain may can be caused by pneumonia, which can be diagnosed via chest X-ray.
    • Exposure to an irritant such as mold can cause constant chest pain.
      By: kmiragaya
      Exposure to an irritant such as mold can cause constant chest pain.
    • Chest pain that occurs following an amputation should be reported to a doctor immediately.
      By: memorisz
      Chest pain that occurs following an amputation should be reported to a doctor immediately.