Dorothy FarrarPressure on the chest
Pressure on the chest is a collective term for different symptoms. These can have different causes and manifestations. The pressure can be locally limited or ring-shaped, and pain or an accompanying feeling of tightness are also possible. The severity of the feeling of pressure depends on the affected body structures or organs.
What is chest pressure?
Pressure on the chest is an uncomfortable sensation that can appear as a weight, a pressing load, or a ring-shaped constriction. Restricted breathing and pain are possible additional symptoms. The pressure can be present at rest, under stress, permanently or only intermittently. The causes of pressure on the chest can be found in different organs and structures of the body.
causes
A common organic cause is the heart . A heart attack can have chest pressure as a symptom. This is typically felt to be devastating, associated with severe pain, and is more likely to occur on the left side of the body. The sensations often radiate to the shoulder , arm or abdomen.Other heart conditions, such as inflammation of the heart muscle or pericardium, can also cause chest pressure. These diseases also have other symptoms. These include a feeling of weakness , shortness of breath , pain or even fever . In general, the symptoms of heart disease are localized on the left side of the chest.
Pressure on the chest can also occur with diseases of the lungs and the pleura of the lungs and lungs. From bronchitis to asthmatic diseases to pneumonia, very different diseases in the lungs can be the cause of chest pressure. As with heart diseases, lung diseases have other typical symptoms in addition to the feeling of pressure in the chest area.
Muscle tension in the chest and back area can also lead to pressure on the chest. This tension is caused by incorrect posture and incorrect strain, but scar tissue in the chest area can also cause such complaints. Psychological causes can also be responsible for the pressure felt on the chest. Anxiety and panic disorders but also depression can be considered as causes.
Diseases
- Panic disorder
When to the doctor?
If the pressure on the chest occurs suddenly and is very intense, you should see a doctor immediately. There may be a heart attack or stroke which, if left untreated, can be life-long debilitating or, in severe cases, fatal.
If the pressure on the chest leads to shortness of breath, you should also consult a doctor as soon as possible. The persistent respiratory disorder results in permanent stress on the organism, which causes irreparable organ damage. If there is pressure on the chest that occurs after strenuous activity or physical exertion, the feeling of pressure often disappears within the next twenty minutes with sufficient rest. If it lasts for days or weeks, consult a doctor.
A doctor’s visit is necessary if other symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting and tension appear. There are medical conditions that need to be identified and treated.
Pressure on the chest often occurs in many people before an exam, exam or giving a public speech. It is a psychosomatic reaction of the body triggered by fear , stress and excitement. A doctor’s visit is only necessary if the person concerned does not feel able to master the challenge on their own.
diagnosis and course
Diagnosing the causes of chest pressure is based on the symptoms that occur. If there are complaints in the heart area with shortness of breath and devastating pain, a heart diagnosis is carried out immediately. In the case of a disease of the lungs, a diagnosis is also made based on the symptoms that occur, such as fever. This includes an X- ray of the lungs and also a blood test .
If there are no symptoms other than chest pressure, this makes the diagnosis more complex. With an electromyography , the electrical muscle activity of the affected muscles can be measured. If these are permanently contracted (pulled together) and thus tense, increased activity can be measured. Mental illnesses can be diagnosed through discussions with appropriate questions and the occurrence of typical symptoms such as sleep disorders or anxiety .
complications
Pressure on the chest impairs breathing. Breathing in becomes more difficult and the depth of breathing is reduced. Stressful, hectic or fast-moving situations are uncomfortable and can trigger anxiety. The harder it is to breathe, the greater the fear of not being able to breathe and, in the worst case, of suffocating in agony. Pressure on the chest can occur in all life situations, whether at rest or when moving.
Feelings of anxiety can increase, especially in phases of rest. Since a disturbance in heart activity is often to be found behind the symptom, the pressure on the chest is considered a warning signal for an impending heart attack. This can be fatal or be associated with permanent life-limiting side effects.
If the pressure on the chest manifests itself in the left region of the body, a doctor should be called immediately. However, the pressure on the chest can also trigger other complications such as pain. These form in the area of the upper arms, shoulders or neck. This leads to tension in the muscles or incorrect posture of the body during movement sequences. Pressure on the chest can indicate inflammation in the chest. If the heart muscle is affected, this affects heart activity and blood circulation in the body.
treatment and therapy
The treatment and therapy of pressure on the chest always depends on the underlying disease. In the event of a heart attack, the patient is first treated with medication, then the blocked coronary artery is reopened with a stent or medication. In most cases, a change in lifestyle and permanent drug treatment are required after the heart attack.
Inflammatory diseases of the heart muscle or the pericardium are also treated with medication. Lung diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma are treated like heart diseases with appropriate medication. The treatment depends on the underlying triggers such as bacteria , viruses , fungi or even allergic reactions. Bronchitis or pneumonia caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics .
If viruses or fungi are the cause, other medications are used. If the treatment is successful, the symptoms then disappear relatively quickly within a period of about two weeks or are significantly improved. Asthmatic diseases usually require long-term treatment and a lifestyle change if allergic reactions are found to be the cause.
When other physical causes of chest pressure have been ruled out, treatment focuses on eliminating muscle tension or psychological causes. Both can also be related. Massages, relaxation methods such as progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobsohn or mindfulness-based methods can relieve the increased muscle tension and take the pressure off the chest. Biofeedback methods help to become more aware of one’s own body and to relax better.
If the symptoms are due to mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders or depression, psychotherapeutic discussions can help. Various therapy methods such as behavioral or talk therapy, but also body therapy approaches can be used. Treatment with psychotropic drugs can also be an option. In general, the treatment of psychological causes for the pressure on the chest takes several months, and the patients need patience and the will to deal intensively with their own personality structure.
prevention
The prevention of the symptom of chest pressure, like treatment and diagnosis, relates to the relevant underlying disease. Heart disease can be effectively prevented by a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and not smoking and alcohol . Inflammation in the heart area often occurs for no apparent reason, but physical rest should be exercised when you have a cold, because delayed infections are also a cause of inflammation of the heart muscle or pericardium. This also applies to infectious diseases of the lungs such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
In asthma with an allergic cause, the triggers must be consistently avoided so that no symptoms appear. Muscular tension can be avoided through relaxation exercises, a conscious lifestyle and avoiding stress in everyday life. Sport is also an important part of prevention. Sports that train body awareness and relax the muscles are particularly recommended. These include yoga and gymnastics. With such a conscious and stress-avoiding lifestyle, mental illnesses can also be prevented.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.