If you’re a woman experiencing chest pain — a dull ache, sharp pain, or deep pressure under your sternum— you may worry you’re experiencing a cardiac event. After all, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Everyday stress can cause chest pain in women, but in some instances, it may indicate a heart attack or serious heart problem. So, if you’re experiencing chest pain, seek immediate help.
Curious about what’s causing your discomfort? Here’s what you need to know about what causes chest pain in women.
What Causes Chest Pain in Women?
Chest pain in women can have many causes, including heart-related issues, lung issues, and musculoskeletal problems.
Chest pain may feel like anything from a sharp stab to a dull ache. Sometimes, it feels crushing or burning.
These are some conditions that may cause chest pain.
Heart issues
Heart issues that can cause chest pain include:
- Angina — Angina occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough blood flow. It may feel like a tightness or squeezing sensation in the chest. It often occurs during physical exertion and eases with rest.
- Heart attack — Both men and women can experience heart attacks, but the symptoms may differ. Women might feel pressure or discomfort in the chest, neck, jaw, shoulder, or upper back. Shortness of breath, nausea, and lightheadedness are also common signs.
Lung issues
Lung issues that can cause chest pain include:
- Pleurisy — Pleurisy is a condition that causes inflammation of the pleura. These are the two thin layers of tissue that separate the lungs from the chest wall. The main symptom of pleurisy is sharp or stabbing chest pain.
- Pneumonia — Pneumonia is an infection that affects one or both lungs. It may feel like sharp or stabbing chest pain that worsens when breathing deeply or coughing.
- Pulmonary embolism — A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the blood vessels that send blood to the lungs. The pain can feel sharp, stabbing, burning, aching, dull, or heavy. You may feel discomfort under your breastbone or on one side of the chest.
Musculoskeletal problems
Muscle and bone issues that can cause chest pain include:
- Inflammation in rib cartilage.
- Muscle strains.
- Rib injuries.
It may feel like pain when moving or pressing on the chest wall.
Other causes of chest pain in women
Other issues that can cause chest pain include:
- Anxiety and panic attacks — Intense anxiety or panic can manifest as chest pain. You may feel a tightness or heaviness in the chest, rapid breathing, and a sense of impending doom.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — Heartburn, caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus, can mimic heart pain. Women may experience a burning sensation in the middle of the chest.
- Stress — When stressed, your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, rapidly increasing your heart rate and blood pressure. These hormones can lead to chest pain, sweating, and difficulty breathing.
Differentiating chest pain from different conditions — especially if the condition in question is a heart attack — isn’t always easy. If you’re experiencing chest pain, you should get yourself checked out immediately.
What Does Chest Pain Feel Like?
Everyone experiences chest pain differently. Chest pain in women can vary significantly depending on its underlying cause.
Here are some common descriptions of chest pain:
- Burning sensation — Some individuals experience a burning or gnawing sensation in the chest. This sensation may result from acid reflux or heartburn.
- Dull ache — A persistent, dull ache in the chest could indicate various conditions. Paying attention to accompanying symptoms is essential.
- Pressure or tightness — Many people describe chest pain as a feeling of pressure or tightness. It might feel like someone is sitting on your chest or squeezing it.
- Stabbing or sharp pain — Sharp, stabbing pain can occur suddenly and intensely. It may result from musculoskeletal issues or inflammation.
Remember that chest pain doesn’t always come from the heart. If you experience chest discomfort, especially if it’s severe or accompanied by other symptoms, seek prompt medical attention.
Heart Attack Symptoms for Women
When it comes to heart attacks, women may experience symptoms that differ from those commonly associated with men.
Women should pay attention to these signs of heart attack:
- Arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach pain — Women may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach during a heart attack.
- Chest pain or discomfort — During a heart attack, women may feel pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of their chest. It may last more than a few minutes or come and go.
- Cold sweats, nausea, or lightheadedness — These symptoms may accompany a heart attack.
- Shortness of breath — A heart attack may take your breath away, on top of or in addition to chest pain.
Less typical symptoms of a heart attack may include upper back pressure, dizziness, or fainting.
Remember, even subtle symptoms can indicate a heart attack. If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Causes of Chest Pain in Women: Left Side vs. Right Side
Chest pain can feel concerning. And it’s essential to understand that the pain’s location matters less than how it feels. Sometimes, people may brush off right-side pain as a sign of a heart attack because the heart is on the left side of the chest. In reality, heart attack pain may show up anywhere in the chest.
These are the differences between left-side and right-side chest pain:
Potential causes of left-side chest pain in women
Left-side chest pain has many causes. You may think of a heart attack first, but lung or digestive system issues can cause left-side chest pain, too.
Discomfort on the left side of your chest may result from:
- Digestive issues — Gastritis or other stomach problems may trigger pain in the left side of your chest.
- Heart attack — People often associate left-sided chest pain with heart attacks because your heart is on the left side of your chest.
- Lung problems — Medical conditions in your lungs can cause left-side chest pain. Some of these issues need quick treatment, especially if you need help breathing.
Potential causes of right-side chest pain in women
Right-side chest pain has multiple causes, many of which involve the lungs. It may hurt more when you take a deep breath, and in some cases, you might feel sharp pain.
Discomfort on the right side of your chest may result from:
- Heart attack — You may feel right-side chest pain during a heart attack.
- Lung-related issues — Pain on the right side often stems from lung problems. These include pneumonia or asthma.
- Rib injury — If you’ve suffered an accident, you may have fractured a rib. This injury is notoriously painful, especially when you breathe deeply. The pain lasts for several weeks.
- Other causes — Conditions like muscle strains or gastrointestinal issues can also cause pain on the right side.
Remember, you should seek medical attention right away if you experience sudden, persistent chest pain, especially if symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, or lightheadedness accompany it. It doesn’t matter if this pain feels like it’s on the right, left, or center of your chest. A heart attack or other heart conditions may lead to pain anywhere in the chest area.
Lifestyle Changes for a Healthy Heart
Maintaining a healthy heart is essential for everyone, but it’s especially crucial for women.
Here are some critical habits for a healthy heart.
- Choose heart-healthy foods — Follow a healthy diet to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol. Avoid overdoing large, heavy meals and greasy foods, which may trigger acid reflux.
- Limit alcohol — Excessive alcohol consumption can disrupt the proper functioning of your heart, as well as your brain, heart, liver, and immune system. Try to limit your intake.
- Maintain a healthy weight — Work with your care team to create a reasonable weight-loss plan.
- Manage stress — Avoid or limit situations that cause you to get stressed out.
- Quit smoking — Smoking damages your blood vessels and may trigger chest pain. Quitting smoking is crucial for heart health.
- Stay physically active — Consult your provider before starting any exercise program. If you frequently experience chest pain while working out, slow down or take frequent rest breaks.
Remember, these lifestyle changes contribute to better heart health and a lower chance of conditions like heart disease.
When to Seek Medical Attention for Chest Pain
Anyone with unexplained chest pain should immediately seek medical attention. Call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department (ED). Your medical provider will conduct tests and recommend a treatment plan.
Chest pain in women can arise from various sources. Though some causes are benign, others require urgent attention.
Always listen to your body and consult a health care provider if you experience pain in your chest.