Uncertain Causes of Chest Pain

Chest pain can happen for a number of reasons. Sometimes the cause can't be found. If you've been checked by your health care provider and your condition does not seem serious, and if your pain does not appear to be coming from your heart, your provider may recommend closely watching for any symptoms. Sometimes the signs of a serious problem take more time to appear. Many problems not related to your heart can cause chest pain, such as:

• Musculoskeletal problems. These include costochondritis (an inflammation of the tissues around the ribs that can occur from trauma or overuse injuries) and a strain of the chest wall muscles.

• Respiratory problems. These include pneumonia, collapsed lung (pneumothorax), and inflammation of the lining of the chest and lungs (pleurisy).

• Gastrointestinal problems. These include esophageal reflux, heartburn, ulcers, and gallbladder disease.

• Anxiety and panic disorders.

• Nerve compression and inflammation.

• Rare problems, such as aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection (a swelling of the large artery coming out of the heart or a tear in the wall of the artery), and pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs).