Pain in the chest when breathing can be caused by a variety of conditions involving the heart, lungs, muscles, or other structures in the chest. Some common causes include:
- Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura (the tissue separating the lungs from the chest wall) causes sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing, coughing, or sneezing.
- Pericarditis: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, leading to sharp chest pain that worsens on deep breaths or lying down.
- Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot in the lungs causing chest pain and breathing difficulties, often urgent.
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung): Air leaks into the space between lung and chest wall, causing sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Respiratory infections: Pneumonia, flu, or COVID-19 can inflame lung tissues causing chest pain when breathing.
- Musculoskeletal issues: Costochondritis (inflammation of rib cartilage) or injured ribs can cause chest pain aggravated by breathing.
- Heart-related causes: Angina, heart attack, or aortic dissection may cause chest pain intensified by breathing in some cases.
- Other causes: Panic attacks, shingles, and nerve pain can also result in chest pain when breathing.
Because chest pain when breathing can be a sign of serious conditions like heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or pneumothorax, urgent medical evaluation is recommended if the pain is severe, sudden, or accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, or radiating pain to neck, jaw, or arms.
