Why do I have chest pressure on and off?

Why do I have chest pressure on and off?

Chest pain may arise and subside every few minutes or over several days. The cause may be related to the heart, the muscles, the digestive system, or psychological factors. Underlying causes of chest pain may be mild, as in the case of acid reflux. Or, they may be serious and indicate, for example, a heart attack.

What does it mean when your chest hurts after working out?

When chest pain strikes during or immediately after exercise, the most common cause is spasm of the lungs’ small airways. Called exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB), it can cause sharp chest pains and make breathing difficult.

What causes tightness in the chest during exercise?

The main cause of angina is a lack of blood flow to the area. When this occurs, a person may feel tightness, pain, or pressure in their chest. Some additional symptoms of angina include: Exercise and stress can cause angina, and people often mistake this pain for a heart attack.

What to do if you have chest pain when you exercise?

A doctor may be able to prescribe medication and suggest other ways to reduce symptoms. This may enable a person to continue exercising or participating in sports. Not all chest pain is preventable. However, there are some general tips for preventing some causes of chest pain, such as heart attacks, strains, and asthma.

What does it mean when you feel pressure in your chest?

Chest pain associated with angina: described as pressure, or a feeling like your heart is being squeezed. Angina refers to a type of chest pain that occurs when blood is still flowing to the heart muscle, but the supply is dramatically reduced.

Why do I have chest pain after a stress test?

The test looks for differences in blood flow between areas of the heart. If the entire heart has reduced blood flow, no one area of the heart will look abnormal compared to the rest. If you’re having chest pain or shortness of breath following a normal stress test, continue to seek medical evaluation.

Why does chest pain get worse with exercise?

Pinpoint discomfort that worsens with chest expansion (breathing, for instance) is more likely to involve the lungs. Chest discomfort that gets better with exercise. Heart-related pain typically worsens with exercise. Sharp chest pain that improves with movement is more likely to have other causes (e.g., acid reflux.)

What to do if you have chest pain after a stress test?

If you’re having chest pain or shortness of breath following a normal stress test, continue to seek medical evaluation. Work with your doctor to keep investigating until the source of the symptoms is identified. — Amy Pollak, M.D., Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Please login or register to post a reply.

When to go to the ER for chest pressure?

Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, experience chest pressure or pain; confusion or loss of consciousness, even for a brief moment; pounding or rapid heart rate (tachycardia); shortness of breath or difficulty breathing or swallowing; or sudden swelling of the throat, face or lips.

What causes a feeling of pressure in the chest?

Angina can cause a feeling of pressure in the chest. It happens when the heart muscle does not get enough blood, and it is a symptom of coronary artery disease. As well as chest pain, angina may…