What Causes Chest Pain On Breathing?

Posted on Mon, 30 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 Answered on

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : For two days i have had chest pain aright in the middle of the chest, especially when breathing deeply, or lying down for a long time. Is this something to do with the heart? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Do get an ECG done..

Detailed Answer:
Hi there..

Thanks for writing in..

The possibilities I can think of are cardiac, lung, musculoskeletal, gastric pathology or anxiety.

Do you have any burning sensation in the abdomen, excessive gas/belching/burping/bloating sensation. If yes, it could be related to stomach complaints.

It might be due to a sprained muscle/ lung pathogy, which is why the pain is more on inspiration.

If the pain radiates to the neck, jaw or left arm, it might be due to a cardiac pathology.

Investigations recommended would be an ECG, ECHO, Chest X-Ray .

Please do visit a doctor at the earliest and rule out more serious problems like cardiac pathology.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (1 hour later)

I do not know if you received my follow-up question which asked what do you mean by "pain by inspiration". Also I do not have stomach problems but I did have some jaw pain at the beginning, so I am sending it again. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Since the chest pain was accompanied by jaw pain

Detailed Answer:
Since the chest pain was initially accompanied by jaw pain, heart problem definitely needs to be ruled out.

Please do not delay. Visit the doctor as soon as possible.ECG , ECHO and other tests need to be done.

By pain during inspiration. ...I meant is the chest pain present while breathing in.

Get well soon...

Regards,
Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar