Sharp pains in the heart of the cause. Possible causes of stabbing pain in the heart

Pain in the heart area can have different causes. They can be quite harmless, but sometimes stabbing pain in the region of the heart is a sign of a very serious pathology.

When such complaints appear, a detailed examination of the heart is mandatory, and, if necessary, other organs.

Stitching pain in the heart can have a variety of causes. It often occurs due to cardiac pathology, but other situations are possible.

coronary spasm

Spasm coronary arteries leads to impaired blood circulation in the heart, as a result of which the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen, hypoxia develops. Without adequate nutrition, the heart cannot function properly. This condition occurs against the background of altered vessels.

The most common spastic conditions are caused by:

  • stress;
  • nervous tension.

A very serious provocation of coronary spasms is smoking. Sometimes these states occur spontaneously during sleep. Their frequency increases sharply in old age.

Attack of myocardial ischemia during exercise

Physical activity (active sports, brisk walking, running, gardening) increases the heart's need for oxygen. If the coronary vessels changed by the pathological process cannot provide increased blood supply, a heart attack occurs. Sharp stabbing pain in the region of the heart is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • feeling short of breath;
  • cold sweat;
  • cold extremities;
  • dizziness;
  • nausea;
  • acceleration heart rate.

Attacks with impaired coronary circulation develop against the background. If it happens in the background physical activity The patient suffers from exertional angina.

Myocardial infarction is the most severe complication coronary disease hearts. A thrombus forms in the coronary vessel, which, together with atherosclerotic plaque, clogs the artery. With a heart attack, the stage of hypoxia ends with necrotic destruction of the muscle tissue of the heart.

Depending on the size of the affected artery, there are:

  • extensive (transmural) infarction;
  • macrofocal;
  • small focal.

A scar (connective tissue) develops at the site of the resulting necrosis of the heart muscle. The more extensive the scar, the more pronounced the dysfunction of the heart after a heart attack.

Signs of myocardial infarction are:

  • acute stabbing or squeezing pain behind the sternum of very strong intensity that does not go away after taking nitroglycerin;
  • irradiation of pain under the shoulder blade, in the left arm, neck, shoulder;
  • panic feeling of fear;
  • blanching of the face;
  • lowering blood pressure;
  • development .

It must be remembered that recently (especially often in the elderly) there are atypical forms of heart attack. In such cases, along with heart pain, the patient may have:

  • respiratory failure by type of asthma;
  • focal neurological symptoms(weakness and numbness in half of the body, facial asymmetry);
  • pain in the abdomen and intestines;
  • severe cardiac arrhythmias.

The final diagnosis of myocardial infarction can only be made after an electrocardiographic study. To clarify the diagnosis, echocardiography, dopplerography of the heart vessels can also be done.

Cause of heart disease

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the outer lining of the heart can develop due to exposure to bacteria or viruses. There is also aseptic pericarditis due to cardiac and systemic diseases. With a problem with the pericardium, there is also a stabbing pain in the heart, but it increases gradually. The pain syndrome depends on the position of the body (increased in the prone position). The pain is accompanied by:

  • shortness of breath;
  • fever with chills;
  • aggravated by deep swallowing.

Striking in the eye appearance patient: puffy, pale face with swollen jugular veins. With the formation of fluid, there is a threat of compression of the heart. Inflammation of the pericardium can develop at any age, but more often this disease develops in elderly patients. You can diagnose the problem with the help of electrocardiography, echocardiography.

An increase in the size of the heart muscle (mainly the left ventricle), which is accompanied by metabolic disorders, is also manifested by pain. Stitching pain in the region of the heart with this pathology is often accompanied by general weakness, shortness of breath, and heart rhythm disturbance.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is often hereditary and can present at any age. A reliable method for diagnosing the disease is echocardiography.

Cardioneurosis (psychogenic cardialgia)

Cardioneurosis is caused by a dysfunction of the autonomic nerve fibers that innervate the heart muscle. This disease is provoked by emotional causes, stress loads.

Acute stabbing pain in the heart with cardioneurosis does not depend on the position of the body, physical activity. Patients have anxiety, tearfulness, irritability. On examination pathological changes from the side of the heart is not detected.

What does stabbing pain indicate if it occurs when inhaling?

When inhaling, stabbing pain in the region of the heart can occur against the background of an inflammatory process of the outer serous membrane (pericarditis). Another reason for this condition is compression (infringement) spinal nerves pathological processes in the thoracic spine.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

With osteochondrosis thoracic spine develop degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs and joints. Due to this, sensitive fibers of the spinal nerves can be damaged and sharp pain in the chest area. At the same time, it changes pain sensitivity in the zone of innervation of the affected nerve (decreases or increases), the pain increases with movement (turning the body, raising the arm up). Certain points in the spine are very painful when pressed. Non-narcotic anti-inflammatory drugs relieve pain.

What to do with stabbing pain in the heart?

Should be called immediately ambulance as the scope of home care is very limited. For self-stopping of an attack, it is recommended:

  1. Take Nitroglycerin (a drug that dilates the coronary vessels). The positive impact of this medicinal product indicates a spasm of the heart vessels. For the same purpose, you can take Corvalment, Corvalol.
  2. If the pain is accompanied by a general severe condition, is very intense, it is recommended to chew an Aspirin tablet before the ambulance arrives. The blood-thinning effect of this drug will help reduce the necrotic focus in case of a possible myocardial infarction.

A sharp stabbing pain in the region of the heart requires an urgent consultation of a specialist and examination.

Useful video

From the following video you can see Additional information about what to do with pain in the heart:

Conclusion

  1. Sharp stabbing pain in the region of the heart is common in patients. This symptom can be caused by heart disease, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, disorders nervous system.
  2. To clarify the nature of the process, a clinical examination, additional diagnostics (electrocardiography, echocardiography) are necessary.
  3. The most important thing in such situations is not to miss conditions that threaten a fatal outcome (myocardial infarction, pericarditis with the development of cardiac tamponade).

Pain in the heart is an unpleasant phenomenon, which often indicates the development of serious diseases. Also, painful sensations can appear against the background of physical overstrain or severe stress.

Pain in the heart may indicate the development of diseases

For initial diagnosis, the following factors should be considered:

  • pain duration;
  • the nature of the discomfort (stabbing, cutting, squeezing, aching, periodic or permanent);
  • conditions for the occurrence of discomfort (at what time and under what circumstances the pain appeared).

There is an erroneous opinion that any pain in the left side of the chest is cardiac. In fact, a typical zone of localization of cardiac discomfort is the sternum (the area behind it and to the left of it). Unpleasant sensations reach the armpit.

To make a correct diagnosis, you need to see a doctor. Pain in the sternum is a symptom of many pathologies associated not only with the heart, but also with the lungs, mammary gland, stomach, muscles, bones and blood vessels.

Causes of pain in the heart

Discomfort that occurs in the region of the heart can have different intensity. Some patients feel a slight tingling sensation, others a sharp pain that paralyzes the entire body.

At home, you can only approximately determine the cause of the discomfort. First you need to study all possible diseases and deviations that can cause a similar symptom.
Diseases directly related to the heart. Ischemia (angina pectoris, cardiosclerosis, myocardial infarction). Endocarditis, myocarditis, myocardial dystrophy, pericarditis. Detection possible malignant neoplasms, cardiac injuries, secondary injuries.
Nutritional and gastric pathologies. tumors, ulcers, foreign bodies in the esophagus, internal bleeding, chemical burn injuries. Pain can also occur against the background of esophagitis, narrowing of the lumen of the food tube, GERD.
Lung diseases. Silicosis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleurisy, the formation of tumors in the bronchi or lungs.
Diseases of the great vessels. Aneurysms and coarctation of the aorta, PE (blockage of the artery of the lung).
Pathology of the mediastinum. Tumors, mediastinitis (localized in the fiber area).
Diseases of the mammary gland. Benign and malignant tumors, gynecomastia (male pathology) and mastopathy (female).
Influence of toxins. Pain in the heart may appear due to alcohol, nicotine or drug intoxication of the body. Also, cardiac discomfort often occurs as side effect from medicines.

Unpleasant sensations may appear due to damage to muscles, bones, nerve trunks and even skin. The danger is also an overload of the heart, which occurs due to increased physical activity, arterial and portal hypertension.

Pain in the chest does not always indicate the development of heart disease. Discomfort, aggravated by tilting the body, deep inspiration or expiration, may be due to pathologies of the costal cartilage or sciatica (thoracic).

sharp and strong pain in the area of ​​intercostal spaces is the first symptom of herpes zoster.

Pain in the ribs may be a symptom of shingles

Short-term and periodic cardiac discomfort of an indefinite nature often indicates the development of neurosis. In patients with this diagnosis pain localized in one place, for example, under the heart.

If a person is nervous, then he may also experience cardiac pain. Discomfort, which, as it were, presses on the heart, appears due to bloating of the intestines. Unpleasant sensations that occur after eating certain foods or fasting indicate diseases of the pancreas or the stomach itself.

What is the nature of the pain?

The nature of the pain is a decisive factor in helping to accurately determine the type of disease.

Compressive

Pain typical of oxygen deficiency of the heart muscle. It often occurs in ischemic diseases.

With angina pectoris, an unpleasant sensation appears behind the sternum, radiates to the shoulder blade. The patient is also numb left hand. Pain occurs suddenly, usually due to excessive stress on the heart. A compressive discomfort can occur in a person after stress, physical activity, or taking a large number food.

Pain is atypical if it is localized under the left shoulder blade and occurs in the early hours when the person is at rest. Such discomfort appears due to a rare variety of angina - Prinzmetal's disease.

Pain under the left shoulder blade may indicate Prinzmetal's disease

pressing

Pain can occur in a perfectly healthy person due to alcohol or drug intoxication, as well as due to physical overstrain.

Pressing discomfort under the heart is characteristic of such diseases as arterial hypertension, breast or stomach cancer. If discomfort is accompanied by rhythm disturbances and shortness of breath, then this indicates myocarditis (allergic or infectious). Pressing heart pain can also arise from experiences.

If the pain is accompanied by shortness of breath, then this indicates myocarditis

stabbing

There is no need to worry if the heart colitis is intermittent and without accompanying symptoms (problems with speech, dizziness, fainting). The most common cause of stabbing discomfort is neurocirculatory dystonia. It occurs during physical activity, when the vessels do not have time to expand or contract with changes in rhythm.

Pain, which is permanent and prevents breathing, speaks of diseases of the lungs and bronchi (pneumonia, cancer, tuberculosis). Sharp stabbing pain in the left side of the chest is a symptom of myositis. The disease occurs due to muscle sprains, infection, hypothermia and helminthic invasion.

Neurocirculatory dystonia may occur due to physical exertion

Aching

Aching discomfort in the region of the heart is a typical symptom for patients suffering from regular psycho-emotional overload. At the same time, pain can be strongly felt and occur periodically. As a rule, patients with nagging cardiac discomfort do not have any serious diseases or abnormalities. A person should think about going to a neurologist or psychotherapist if he has the following symptoms:

  • depression;
  • apathy or, on the contrary, increased irritability;
  • suspiciousness, anxiety;
  • somatic disorder.

If it aches and hurts in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe heart for no specific reason, then this may indicate cardioneurosis. Aching-compressive discomfort also occurs against the background of an ischemic stroke, but in this case, other characteristic symptoms are also observed: dizziness, loss of consciousness, a sharp deterioration in vision, numbness of the extremities.

Pulsating and aching pain is a sign of intercostal neuralgia.

Ischemic stroke is accompanied by pain in the heart and dizziness

sharp

The occurrence of severe and sudden cardiac discomfort in most cases requires further hospitalization of the patient. Sharp and acute pain is a characteristic symptom of many serious pathologies. Such discomfort may indicate diseases such as:

  1. Pathology is characterized by prolonged pain that occurs suddenly and is not amenable to painkillers. It becomes difficult for the patient to breathe, he has a fear of imminent death. Unpleasant sensations can be given to the stomach, spread throughout the chest. With a myocardial infarction, the patient may begin vomiting or involuntary urination.
  2. Aortic aneurysm dissection. Often occurs in older people who have undergone surgery on the aorta or heart. Patients have a feeling of sudden cutting pain, rapidly gaining intensity. At first, there may be a feeling that something is stabbed inside. Discomfort often radiates to the shoulder blade. At the same time, the patient's blood pressure constantly rises and falls.
  3. Rib fracture. With fractures, burning pain is observed, which subsequently transforms into aching. The patient requires immediate hospitalization, as internal bleeding may begin.
  4. PE (thromboembolism) pulmonary artery). The disease leads to blockage of the pulmonary artery by a thrombus that has sailed from varicose veins or pelvic organs. This pathology is characterized by a sharp cardiac discomfort, gaining intensity over time. The patient may have a feeling that he is pressing or baking inside. The main symptoms of PE are palpitations, coughing up blood clots, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. Patients often find it difficult to breathe, they experience severe shortness of breath.
  5. Pathology of the stomach and esophagus. The most dangerous phenomenon is considered to be perforation of an ulcer of the cardiac or stomach. With such a complication, a sharp stabbing pain occurs, transforming into nausea. The patient has black dots before his eyes, he may lose consciousness. Any diseases of the stomach and esophagus, accompanied by vomiting or loss of consciousness, require hospitalization.

Sudden and sharp pain indicates a myocardial infarction

In some cases, severe cardiac discomfort occurs against the background of prolonged angina pectoris. In addition to pain, the patient may feel dizzy.

How to distinguish the symptoms of cardiac ischemia and signs of an ulcer of the cardiac region? With ischemia, discomfort occurs during physical activity, more often in the daytime or in the evening. The pain has a compressive, less often - aching character, lasts up to half an hour. With an ulcer, discomfort occurs in the morning when the stomach is empty. The discomfort is of a sucking or pressing nature, lasting for several hours or all day.

What to do with heart pain?

A person who has a sharp heart attack needs to be given first aid. For minor illnesses, you can try medications and folk ways treatment. Any therapy should be agreed with the doctor.

First aid

If the heart suddenly hurts, then you should immediately stop physical activity and calm down. A person should sit down, loosen or remove outer clothing and squeezing accessories (belt, tie, necklace). It is advisable to sit in a comfortable chair or lie down on the bed. Such methods are suitable if the heart aches due to overload.

The patient must be measured arterial pressure. For readings above 100 mm Hg, one tablet of nitroglycerin should be placed under the tongue and wait until it is completely absorbed. First aid is especially effective for angina pectoris. If these methods do not help, then you need to call an ambulance.

Can also be used in ischemic stroke first aid. To do this, gently turn the victim to one side, cover with a warm blanket and apply ice or a cold object to his forehead. You can not use ammonia to bring a person to his senses. On suspicion of clinical death it is necessary to give the patient a cardiac massage.

When sharp pains in the heart of a person needs to ensure peace

What to do with pain in the heart of a teenager? At the age of 14-17 years, tachycardia (an increase in heart rate over 90 beats per minute) is normal. With tachycardia, minor pain, dizziness, and less often nausea can be observed. If a teenager has serious deviations, then he should be taken to a therapist. It is this doctor who will conduct an initial examination and refer the patient to the right specialist.

Pharmacy preparations

Over-the-counter medications help with minor pain. It should be understood that everything serious illnesses treated under close medical supervision. The following medicines help to get rid of pain in the heart:

  1. Corvalol (drops). A sedative used for congestion and nervous conditions. Available in the form of drops. Not approved for use by lactating women. Take 15 to 50 drops at a time. The drug should be dripped into a small amount of water and drunk after meals. Recommended dose for tachycardia: 45 drops. The cost of Corvalol: about 50-70 rubles.
  2. Validol (tablets). Another sedative that dilates blood vessels. The drug is used for angina pectoris, cardialgia, neuroses. Daily dose: 1 tablet no more than 3 times a day. A positive effect should occur within 5-10 minutes after using the medication. In the absence of a pronounced effect on the second day of using the medication, therapy should be stopped. The cost of the drug: from 50 rubles per pack.
  3. Aspirin cardio (tablets). A medicine that helps with angina (in particular, unstable), disorders cerebral circulation. It is used more often for the prevention of various heart diseases. The remedy relieves cardiac pain varying degrees expressiveness. The drug should be used 1 time per day. Tablets should not be taken by pregnant and lactating women. The cost of the medication: from 80 rubles.
  4. Piracetam (ampoules). With the help of this drug, injections can be given. The remedy is effective in coronary heart disease. It has a nootropic effect. It is necessary to use the drug carefully, since at the very beginning of treatment, injections are administered both intravenously and intramuscularly. It should be done 2-3 injections per day, the daily dose of the drug is 300-400 mg. Course of treatment: at least 7 days. The cost of funds: from 45 rubles.

If a person becomes ill after taking medication, then it is worth completely changing the course of treatment. The drugs should have a positive effect after a maximum of 2-3 days of use. The injections have a cumulative effect, so they can work for 4-5 days.

Corvalol is a common sedative

Folk remedies

With pain in the heart, you need to use various methods of therapy. It is necessary to give up smoking, alcohol, harmful and fatty foods. Patients often need to be in the air, it is desirable to go to nature. It is also worth isolating yourself from psycho-emotional stress. Otherwise, serious problems cannot be avoided, since all negative factors affect the heart.

Valerian, hawthorn and motherwort

A soothing blend that will help with aching and pressing pain caused by stress. To prepare the solution, you need to pour a glass of warm water and add a few drops of valerian, motherwort and hawthorn to it. The tincture can be drunk 2 times a day. It helps relieve stress and relieve cardiac discomfort.

Valerian tincture will help relieve pain

Motherwort, hawthorn and wild rose

The mixture will help strengthen blood vessels and stabilize the work of the heart. You will need to take 1.5 liters of boiled water, 1 tablespoon of wild rose, 2 tablespoons of motherwort and 5 tablespoons of hawthorn. The result is a solution that is enough for several days. It should be taken 1-2 times a day for half a cup. The mixture does not help treat serious heart diseases, but it provides powerful prevention and relieves pain.

Motherwort will help stabilize the work of the heart

Pumpkin juice and honey

pumpkin juice with honey should be taken for cardiovascular pathologies. The ingredients must be mixed in proportions of 3: 1. In order for the mixture to work well, it must be drunk at night. You can also take a nut mixture with raisins, as it helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

Pumpkin juice is good for the cardiovascular system

Can you drink coffee when your heart hurts?

There is a list of factors in the presence of which drinking coffee is categorically not recommended. It should not be used by pensioners and children. Adolescents should also limit their frequent drinking of coffee and coffee-containing drinks. For people with hypertension, this drink is strictly prohibited.

It is forbidden to drink coffee for people with hypertension

Various studies have proven that nothing happens to a person suffering from cardiac diseases after coffee. At the same time, you can drink no more than 1-2 cups per day, depending on age and condition. Coffee should not contain sugar and be too strong. It is also worth noting that the regular use of this drink reduces immunity.

Such a symptom may be in the following diseases:

  • Acute myocardial infarction. The classic symptom of myocardial infarction is pain, which patients describe as stabbing or even cutting - and always very severe. Sometimes a heart attack also has various atypical symptoms. In about 12% of cases, stabbing pains in the heart indicate a heart attack - which is why it is very important to call an ambulance as soon as possible, and not wait for the pain to pass by itself. Pain during a heart attack is often felt not only in the chest, but also in the left arm and back. In addition, the patient may lose consciousness and complain of pain in the stomach. Other accompanying signs are severe chills and/or cold sweats. These symptoms strongly suggest that the patient has a myocardial infarction and not another heart disease.
  • Angina. This disease is characterized by a decrease in blood flow to the pericardial vessels; in some cases it causes severe stitching pains in the heart. Its symptoms are often mistaken for signs of a heart attack. Coronary spasms can also cause stabbing pains. In many cases, the pain resolves after taking one or two nitroglycerin tablets, however, to make sure that the patient's condition is not life-threatening, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
  • Pericarditis is an inflammation of the serous membrane of the heart. This disease can be caused by viral, fungal, or bacterial infections. In addition, pericarditis may develop as a result allergic reaction, it can also be a consequence of injuries, malignant tumors, taking certain medications, for example, glucocorticosteroids.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - hypertrophy of the wall of the left or right ventricle of the heart. Usually hypertrophy, or thickening, is asymmetrical. The most common cause of this disease are various gene mutations. One of the symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be stabbing pains in the heart. The disease is treated with medication or surgery.

Patients who come with complaints of pain in the heart emotionally describe "punctures" in the heart. Stitching pains in the heart can be so severe that there is a feeling of fear of death.

This nature of pain in most cases is not associated with severe pathology of the heart, most often the cause is the development of neurosis. against the background of experienced stress, in a conflict situation and other conditions that are related to the emotional state of a person.

Manifestation of a neurotic state

A typical picture that characterizes a neurotic state is manifested by "pricks" or stabbing pains in the heart. Most often this occurs after a nervous strain, strong excitement or emotional stress. Due to this given state called "neurosis of the heart". In addition to the pain symptom, patients experience pronounced vegetative manifestations:

  • nausea
  • feeling of "lump in the throat", shortness of breath
  • abdominal discomfort
  • cardiopalmus

A person against the background of emotional stress does not tolerate such complaints, he gets the feeling that he is seriously ill, that there are serious problems with the heart. The doctor's task is to calm the patient and give an explanation that there are no problems with the heart, that stabbing pains are a clinical manifestation of his experienced stress.

People with a labile psyche, emotionally unstable, who take close to all life's problems are especially susceptible to this. A conflict at work, a quarrel in the family are the cause of the experience, which subsequently manifests itself as a pain syndrome. Pain can be called a psychosomatic manifestation, so it is important to calmly perceive the current stressful situation. In our time, the state of “chronic stress” has become familiar, associated with the pace of life and the complexity of relationships between people. The state of his health and loved ones completely depends on the correct behavior of a person in such conditions of life.

Stitching pains in the heart, which are the result of neurosis, do not spread to other areas, that is, this pain is strictly localized.

Irradiation of pain to the shoulder, shoulder blade, neck or arm is not typical. This characteristic of the pain syndrome should be used to clarify the diagnosis.

How to deal with stress

Everyone is affected by stress, so the main task is to be able to cope with such a situation. During stress, the body produces large amounts of adrenaline. Under its influence, all important systems are activated, including of cardio-vascular system. This is a physiological, adaptive reaction, which is aimed at the ability to respond correctly to a crisis situation, a kind of body protection.

To get rid of the psychosomatic effects of stress , it is recommended to follow some rules of conduct. After any stress, it is necessary to relax, recuperate, as the fact of constant tension will naturally affect the state of health and the work of the heart. To get rid of the high content of adrenaline, you can do exercise . In the process of muscular work, adrenaline will be consumed at an increased rate, so it will not have a negative effect. The change in activity is effective remedy to squander the increased blood levels of adrenaline.

Pain in the region of the heart can have a different character. It depends on the reason that caused its appearance. It may be related to the heart itself, or it may be formed as a result of other factors. Why is there a sharp pain in the heart?

Why is there a sharp pain?

Acute pain in the heart of a sharp nature may occur due to different reasons. However, they may or may not be related to the work of the heart. Such a manifestation always requires first aid, because the person cannot even move. The patient may describe the symptom as a sharp pain that comes on suddenly.

angina pectoris

When a person is caught by an attack of angina pectoris, he feels a sharp pressing pain, which occurs due to the narrowing of the coronary vessels. It is not always possible to remove the syndrome with the help of "Nitroglycerin". But it is important to provide first aid in time so that there is no development of myocardial infarction. If the soreness does not recede after two tablets of the drug, then urgently call a doctor.

angina pectoris

aortic aneurysm

It often manifests itself in older people, accompanying hypertension, atherosclerosis and other heart pathologies. Early intervention on the heart can contribute to the development of the disease.

The disease is manifested by a sharp pain in the region of the heart, which radiates to the shoulder blade. There are pressure drops, heart rhythm disturbance, low pulse, slight blueness of the skin, increased sweating, loss of consciousness.

myocardial infarction

The disease is the death of a section of the heart muscle. In this case, the treatment is carried out in stationary conditions. Only in this way is it possible to bring a person back to life and make it more or less qualitative. If the myocardium is infected, then the patient has a sharp pain, characterized by duration, severity. Patients, describing the symptom, speak as if they had stuck a knife.

Cutting pain is accompanied by panic, suffocation, hand trembling, sweating, low pulse, and is not relieved by medication. Soreness can radiate to other parts of the body, a person can feel sick, the heart rhythm goes astray, consciousness is lost. You can get rid of severe pain during a heart attack with the help of powerful painkillers that are injected in a hospital.


myocardial infarction

Thromboembolism of the artery of the lung

In this disease, a blood clot floats from a vein into the pulmonary artery. The larger it is, the stronger the manifestation of acute pain in the region of the heart. In addition to the syndrome, a person does not have enough air, he is worried about coughing up blood, the heartbeat quickens, the veins in the neck swell. The patient may lose consciousness. This pathology requires urgent medical care in a hospital setting.

Pathologies of the digestive organs

The cause of a sharp pain in the heart can be a disease of the digestive organs. It could be gastritis, an ulcer. For example: perforation of a cardiac ulcer causes such pain as if a dagger were thrust into it. As a result, it worsens general state, there is nausea, fainting, flies flicker before the eyes, dizziness.

Sometimes the patient may think that his heart hurts when a spasm occurs. bile ducts and gallbladder. And this despite the fact that the organs are located on the right side of the body. But when there is a strong sharp pain, it gives to the left side of the sternum. You can cope with such a symptom by taking an antispasmodic.

Similar to heart pain on the left, which appears when a hernia forms in the esophagus. She worries at night, when a person is in a horizontal position. As soon as he gets up, within a few seconds the symptom disappears.


stomach ulcer

Neuralgia

Quite often, intercostal neuralgia is accompanied by a sharp pain, similar to the heart. The syndrome has a shooting character, intensifies during body turns, movements, coughing, laughing, breathing. Sometimes the pain goes away quickly, and in some cases it can last up to several days.

Neuralgia manifests itself between the ribs on the left or right side. Unpleasant sensations can be given to the region of the heart, spine, lower back. The patient understands where the pain appears.

Osteochondrosis

With thoracic osteochondrosis, the vertebrae, cartilage tissues, and intervertebral discs suffer. All this is accompanied by severe pain, which can radiate to the sternum, abdomen, shoulder blades. When a person moves or breathes, it becomes more intense. Often the patient's left hand, the part of the body located between the ribs, goes numb.

Many confuse pain in osteochondrosis with the manifestation of angina pectoris, especially when pain occurs at night, accompanied by a feeling of fear. You can check what hurts: the heart or the spine, using the Nitroglycerin tablet. After taking the medication heart symptom will recede, and the vertebral pain will continue to disturb further.


Osteochondrosis

How to distinguish pain?

To understand whether this pain is heart or not, you need to know about some salient features pain syndrome of the heart. The following signs may indicate it:

  1. It does not last long, a maximum of 15 minutes, and non-cardiac pain can be a constant concern.
  2. It has a different character: pressing, burning, sharp.
  3. May radiate to the left side of the body.
  4. Passes after taking "Nitroglycerin".
  5. Accompanied by shortness of breath, a feeling of panic, dizziness, loss of consciousness, high or low pulse.
  6. Occurs during physical or psycho-emotional overstrain.

When an attack occurs, the skin may become pale or acquire a bluish tint, this usually manifests itself in the nose and lips. The general state of health worsens, sweating increases, working capacity becomes lower.

Treatment of heart pain

If it starts to hurt in the sternum, then you should consult a doctor and undergo an examination. If there is confidence that the pain comes from the heart, then go to a cardiologist. If the manifestation of a symptom due to other pathologies is possible, then consult a therapist.

The doctor prescribes diagnostic measures that allow you to establish what causes pain. Surveys include the following:

  • The study of anamnesis.
  • Examination of a sick patient.
  • Conducting an ultrasound examination of organs located in the chest.
  • Carrying out an electrocardiogram and computed tomography.

Once it is determined what caused the heart disease, the doctor will prescribe treatment. An individual therapy plan is developed for each patient. For example: if the matter is in the inflammatory process, then a course of antibacterial agents will be required.

If the pain was caused by diseases of the stomach, then a diet and the use of special medications are recommended to help eliminate pathologies. At severe forms heart disease may require surgery.


Individual treatment for each patient

To prevent pain in the heart, you need to carefully monitor your health, treat any diseases in time, strengthen immune system, lead an active lifestyle, give up bad habits.

It is impossible to ignore the discomfort in the sternum. After all, many diseases occur with no symptoms until they reach a severe form. You don't have to chalk it up to fatigue after exercise. It is better to consult a doctor and make sure that the health of the heart is normal.

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Sharp stabbing pains in the heart

The heart can hurt in different ways, and the nature of the pain determines its cause. Many have experienced acute cutting pain in the heart - why does it occur, what does it signal and how to treat it?


Why does a sharp stabbing pain appear in the heart

Severe sharp pain in the heart, as a rule, lasts only a few seconds, but even for this a short time the person becomes very frightened. No wonder - in an instant it becomes difficult for you to breathe, from which a feeling of panic arises. Stitching short-term pain in the region of the heart may be a sign of:

  • herpetic neuralgia;
  • intercostal neuralgia;
  • thoracalgia (compression of the intercostal nerves);
  • precordial syndrome.

All of the above does not pose a serious threat to health and life, although some people perceive a sharp pain in the left side of the chest as the beginning of a heart attack. As a rule, this is not the case. But you need to go to the doctor if the following symptoms are present:

  • acute or;
  • the pain does not last a couple of seconds, but turns into aching and lasts more than 30 minutes;
  • there is weakness, dizziness, sweating;
  • the skin turns pale;
  • changes in the rhythm of the heart (for example, there is a rapid heartbeat).

If these symptoms are present, we can talk about serious cardiac diseases. In this case, consultation with a cardiologist is necessary, and as soon as possible.

What can acute pain in the heart area indicate?

Sharp pain in the region of the heart on the left is not a cause for concern if this symptom is rare and disappears after you calmly breathe. But if the pains are repeated often, if their intensity increases, and they themselves are accompanied by the symptoms listed above (night pains, changes in heart rate, etc.), then there is a chance of developing:

  • angina pectoris, which can lead to a heart attack;
  • pericarditis (inflammation in the heart bag);
  • cardiomyopathy (hypertrophy of the heart muscles);
  • myocardial dystrophy (dystrophic phenomena in the tissues of the heart)

and other heart diseases.

How to understand that it is the heart that hurts: the difference between acute pain in the heart and others

Many are sure that a strong sharp pain in the heart cannot be confused with anything. These are sudden stabbing sensations (as if a needle was stuck in the heart), which pass just as quickly. Know - this is most likely neuralgia, and in this case it is not your heart that hurts. You need to learn to distinguish pain in the heart from pain caused by other causes, and this is not at all difficult.

Remember that when the heart hurts, discomfort arise behind the sternum in the center and can be felt on the left - up to the middle of the armpit.

Point acute pain in the lower left is unlikely to be provoked by heart problems. Sometimes cardiac, as well as in the left hand, including in the hand. Sometimes it is hearty and even responds in the right hand! So, if you experience pain in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe armpit, arm, shoulder, this may be a sign of coronary heart disease. Pain in the heart is usually associated with stress - emotional, mental or physical, while a sharp pain in the region of the heart that occurs when moving, coughing, sighing, has nothing to do with heart disease. In any case, it is better to consult a doctor so that he makes a correct diagnosis and, if necessary, either prescribes treatment for you or redirects you to another specialist (if you have pain of a different origin).

Treatment

In the event of a stabbing pain in the heart, it is necessary:

  • take a comfortable position - sit down, lie down;
  • calm down, try to breathe normally (after breathing, you will most likely feel that the pain is gone).

If you regularly experience acute pain in the heart, you need to see a cardiologist. The doctor will listen to your complaints and prescribe which will give an accurate picture of the condition of your heart. Usually, in the absence of other symptoms, rarely occurring sharp sharp pain in the heart area is not a cause for concern. But you still need to contact a specialist - for reinsurance. If there are no reasons to worry about your health, you yourself will become calmer, and you will be easier to relate to these pains if they arise in the future.

It may happen that the doctor detects heart disease at an early stage, which facilitates therapy and helps you stay healthy for many years.

Prevention of heart failure

So that sharp heart pains do not bother you, you need to reduce the level of stress in daily life. Try to worry less about trifles, use sedatives on a natural basis. An excellent choice would be valerian or herbal preparations. Watch your sleep schedule, do not abuse caffeinated products. Focus on outdoor activities and sports.

If your work is stressful, try to get rid of it with a hobby or active leisure. Take care of the instructor. If necessary, contact a psychologist to help you calmly relate to the events taking place in life.

Remember that one-time acute pain in the heart area is almost never a symptom of serious diseases. This is just a "bell" from the body, which says that you should worry less.

Come at least once a year preventive examination to a cardiologist. This will help maintain the health of the heart muscle at any age. You need to be especially careful about your well-being after 30 years. Remember that prevention is more effective and more pleasant than cure!

Why you need to pay attention to additional symptoms. What to do when heart pain occurs, and which specialist to contact.

The heart is a vital organ connected with all organs and tissues through a system of blood vessels and nerve plexuses. Therefore, pain in the part of the chest where it is located is always perceived as a signal of cardiac pathology. But it is only 60–70% of such a sign. About 30-40% of pains are of non-cardiac origin and are associated with the pathology of other systems.

It is possible to completely stop (relieve) pain in the heart, but this is not enough to get rid of the causative disease of which they are a symptom. In order to solve this problem, you need to contact a specialist who has the most knowledge about the origin of heart pain. This could be a cardiologist, internist or family doctor.

Characteristics of pain in cardiac pathology

The heart can hurt in different ways - it presses, pricks, aches, burns, bakes; and with different strengths - from mild discomfort to intense, pronounced pain. Localization can also be different, but always corresponds to the location of the heart: the region of the sternum, the left half of the chest and the areas located next to it (the left half of the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, paravertebral and interscapular region).

If it presses

The most common pain that occurs in cardiac pathology is pressing (in 95–99%). It indicates a violation of blood circulation in the coronary arteries, ischemic disease and angina pectoris.

Its typical characteristics are:

  • It is provoked and intensified by any physical activity, experience or psycho-emotional stress.
  • It is localized clearly behind the sternum or to the left of it.
  • Can give to the left hand and shoulder blade.
  • Accompanied by a feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath and weakness.
  • Passes at rest after the termination of loadings or reception of nitroglycerin.

Similar manifestations are possible with inflammatory myocardial damage - myocarditis. Additional criteria listed in the table will help distinguish angina pectoris from inflammation.

If it bakes

Pain behind the sternum or in the left side of the chest can be acute, burning. Patients say that their heart hurts, as if baking, burning in the chest. Such characteristics of the pain syndrome in 95–99% indicate a particularly dangerous cardiac pathology:

1. Myocardial infarction

  • Bakes behind the sternum and gives to the left half of the neck, shoulder blade, shoulder.
  • It occurs suddenly or after a previous pressing pain more often during physical or psycho-emotional stress.
  • Accompanied by a drop in pressure, palpitations, sweating, fear of death, marked shortness of breath.
  • Symptoms are not relieved by taking painkillers or nitroglycerin.

2. Pulmonary embolism

This is a blockage of the vessels of the lungs by blood clots that enter them from the veins. lower extremities. According to the characteristics of pain and clinical manifestations the disease is difficult to distinguish from myocardial infarction (they are almost identical).

3. Dissecting aortic aneurysm

With this pathology, there is a rupture of an abnormally enlarged section of the largest vessel of the body close to the place of exit from the heart.

Burning pain is similar to a heart attack, but:

  • rarely gives to the left half of the body;
  • accompanied by pain between the shoulder blades in the spine;
  • arises and intensifies after a previous episode of high blood pressure.

With acute burning pain in the heart, first of all, you need to think about the most serious illnesses that can end in death if the patient is not provided with emergency care.

If it hurts

Stitching pain is not specific to heart disease, but in 20-25% it can indicate them. It can be:

  1. Myocarditis.
  2. Pericarditis.
  3. Vegetative-vascular dystonia.
  4. Response of the cardiovascular system to stress and neurosis.
  5. A developing aortic aneurysm.
  6. Mitral and aortic valve defects.

If stabbing sensations are associated with these diseases, they are:

  • constant and do not depend on the position of the body or certain movements (turning or tilting the torso, raising the arm);
  • may be aggravated by walking or psycho-emotional stress;
  • accompanied by general weakness or irritability;
  • heartbeat is fast or the rhythm is disturbed;
  • may increase with deep inspiration.

About 80% of stabbing pains in the region of the heart are a symptom of conditions not associated with cardiac pathology.

If there is pain or discomfort

Aching pain and discomfort in the heart are the most non-specific varieties of cardialgia, according to the characteristics of which it is impossible to find out what they are associated with and what to do with them. They equally often indicate both that the heart hurts and about diseases of other organs and systems (muscles and nerves, lungs and pleura, stomach and esophagus). Therefore, it is impossible to focus only on them. The main attention should be paid to the general condition, age of the patient, and other manifestations that are characteristic of cardiac pathology:

  • acceleration, slowing down or interruptions in the rhythm;
  • shortness of breath and feeling short of breath;
  • swelling in the legs;
  • pressure drops (increase or decrease).

All these symptoms, combined with aching pain or discomfort in the heart, can indicate any of its diseases: from harmless secondary cardialgia in healthy people against the background of body overload to a painless form of myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. to install true reason, you need to do examinations, the volume of which can only be decided by a specialist (cardiologist, therapist, family doctor).

If not the heart, then what?

In general, pains localized in the region of the heart - behind the sternum and the anterior surface of the left half of the chest, in 30% indicate the pathology of this organ. They may be caused by the lesions described in the table.

To understand exactly why pains in the heart arose, pay attention not only to their nature (acute, burning, aching, etc.), but also to other existing symptoms. But remember that they are not always interconnected, as they can be combined manifestations. various diseases in one person (for example, pathology of the esophagus and coronary disease or pleuropneumonia and intercostal neuralgia).

Diagnosis: main features of cardiac and non-cardiac pain

The table describes the most common criteria and signs by which you can determine what the pain in the region of the heart is connected with - with its defeat or not. This data will help you understand what to do with a sick person and whether he needs emergency care.

  • shortness of breath or shortness of breath;
  • palpitations or interruptions;
  • high or low pressure;
  • sweating and weakness;
  • general disorder.
  • curvature and crunch of the spine;
  • cough and fever;
  • heartburn, feeling sour in the mouth;
  • belching, abdominal discomfort;
  • the general condition is rarely disturbed.

What to do, how to help

If you don't know the cause of the pain

If you cannot determine what causes heart pain - regardless of the cause of their occurrence, do the following:

  1. Do not panic, calm down, do not be nervous, breathe smoothly and shallowly.
  2. Physical rest - it is better to lie down or sit down so that the torso is slightly elevated, in extreme cases, just stand if you feel that you will not fall.
  3. Access to fresh air - on the street, simply unfasten the top buttons or tie, which can squeeze the neck and chest, in the room, additionally open a window, window or door.
  4. Measure your heart rate and blood pressure whenever possible. If the pulse rate is above 90–95 or less than 55–60 per minute, and the pressure is above 140/90 mm Hg. Art. or below 100/60 (more or less than your usual numbers) - call an ambulance (phone 103), as there is a high probability of serious heart disease.
  5. If after a few minutes the pain does not decrease, take an anesthetic (Ketanov, Panadol, Imet, Diclofenac) in combination with Aspirin or chew and place only Aspirin under the tongue.
  6. If after 15-20 minutes the pain in the heart does not go away or intensifies, this may indicate a heart attack - call an ambulance. This can be done when it first appeared, if the pain is burning, severe, accompanied by shortness of breath, pallor and sweating of the skin, a sense of fear of death, high or low pressure.

For any cardiac or non-cardiac pain in the chest, in no case should you take Citramon, Copacil or other drugs containing caffeine!

If you know the cause of the pain

If you know the presumptive or exact cause of pain in the heart, in addition to the main measures, you need to do the following:

  1. For angina pectoris:
  • take Nitroglycerin under the tongue;
  • chew Cardiomagnyl or another drug containing acetylsalicylic acid;
  • with normal or elevated pressure and pulse, you can take beta-blockers (Metoprolol, Bisoprolol, Nebival);
  • persistence of pain for more than 30 minutes is a reason to call an ambulance;
  • if the pain goes away, contact your cardiologist, internist or family doctor.
  1. With myocarditis and pericarditis, all that can be done at the first stage of help is to take painkillers. Be sure to contact a cardiologist and the sooner the better.
  2. For intercostal neuralgia, osteochondrosis or other problems with the spine, take painkillers (Analgin, Diclofenac, Dolaren, Nimid) and consult a neurologist.
  3. For problems with the stomach and esophagus, stick to a diet, for pain, you can take Omez, Famotidine, Maalox, Motorix, Motilium. For specialized help, contact a gastroenterologist.

Pain in the heart area is a symptom of diseases not only of the heart. Whenever it appears, it is first of all necessary to exclude its pathology (this condition is the most dangerous and most often requires emergency medical care).

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Severe pain in the heart

Chest pain can be a symptom of a wide variety of diseases, and it does not always indicate a sick heart, because it can be the cause of other diseases. How can you distinguish pain in the heart, because pain in this area can manifest itself as a result of trauma, diseases of the digestive and respiratory systems, the musculoskeletal system, as well as neurological disorders.

That is why it is so important to know how to distinguish heart pain from other diseases. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, however, some signs will help to figure out what exactly hurts the heart.

Pain in cardiac diseases

An attack of angina pectoris

How to distinguish an attack of angina pectoris from other heart diseases? In this case, the pain may appear behind the sternum, it sometimes has a cutting, more often squeezing, and in some cases, an acute or dull character. There is such pain in the place where the heart is located. A person is not able to determine the exact location of the pain, so he can put his hand on the entire chest at once. Such pain can be given to the neck, jaw, left arm, or even between the shoulder blades.

Such pain often occurs during strong physical exertion, emotional overstrain, during the exit from a warm room into the cold, at night and when eating. When the heart hurts, discomfort can last from a couple of seconds to twenty minutes. Often, the patient freezes in place, he may begin to feel short of breath, shortness of breath, a feeling of panic. Immediately after taking nitroglycerin, the patient may feel better, discomfort can pass, both partially and completely. Pain in the heart does not depend on inhalation or exhalation, as well as the position of the body.

myocardial infarction

How to distinguish an approaching heart attack? This condition is characterized by the occurrence of a sharp pain in the heart, carrying a burning or pressing character. It can give to the left side of the back or chest. A person has a feeling that there is an extremely large load on his heart. A person may experience an inexplicable feeling of fear. During a heart attack, there is an increase in breathing, while the patient cannot lie down, he wants to sit down.

Unlike the previous disease, angina pectoris, the pain during a heart attack is incredibly strong and can be even worse when moving. It cannot be stopped with conventional medicines for the cores.

Inflammatory heart disease

Pain in the heart can appear as a result of the formation inflammatory processes such as pericarditis and myocarditis. During myocarditis, the sensations are about the same as with angina pectoris, the main symptoms are stabbing or aching pain that radiates to the neck and left shoulder, a feeling of pressure behind the sternum, usually on the left side. The pain is almost always continuous and prolonged, and may become worse during exercise. It does not go away even after taking nitroglycerin.

The patient may experience asthma attacks, shortness of breath during physical work, and also with the onset of night, pain in the joints and swelling may occur. Symptoms of pericarditis include dull, moderate, monotonous pain and heat. Pain can be localized in the left side of the chest, usually just above the heart, as well as in the left shoulder blade and the left side of the abdomen. They become stronger when coughing, when breathing deeply, when lying down and when changing the position of the body.

Aortic diseases

As a result of an aortic aneurysm, pain in the upper chest area can occur, the duration of which can be several days, and it is associated with physical effort. It does not go away after taking nitroglycerin, but it is not able to give to other parts of the body. This can cause loss of consciousness, and needs urgent help.

Pulmonary embolism

The initial stage of such a serious disease manifests itself as severe pain in the chest area, which becomes stronger when inhaling. It is quite similar to pain during angina pectoris, but is not able to give to other parts of the body. After taking painkillers, it does not become smaller. The patient's heart rate increases and he experiences severe shortness of breath. Skin covering takes on a bluish tint rapid decline pressure. The condition requires urgent hospitalization.

Pain of non-cardiac origin

Neuralgia intercostal

Very often, intercostal neuralgia is mistaken for pain in the heart. It is actually very similar to angina, but there are significant differences. Neuralgia is characterized by shooting sharp pain, which becomes stronger when turning the body, moving, laughing, coughing, inhaling and exhaling.

In some cases, the pain lets go quickly, but sometimes its duration reaches several hours, or even days, becoming only stronger with sudden movements. Neuralgia is localized, exactly on the right or on the left between the ribs, while it is capable of giving pain to the heart, spine, back or lower back. Usually the person feels the exact location of the pain.

Osteochondrosis

During an exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis, a person begins to feel pain in the region of the heart, which begins to radiate to the back, up the abdomen, shoulder blade, becoming stronger during breathing and movement. Often there is a feeling of numbness in the left arm and the area between the ribs. Most people mistake this condition for angina, especially if the pain occurs at night and is accompanied by a feeling of fear. It is possible to distinguish this disease from angina pectoris by the fact that after taking nitroglycerin it does not become easier.

Diseases of the digestive organs

The sensation of pain in the chest area appears most often as a result of muscle spasms of the walls of the stomach. In order to determine their history, you should look for accompanying symptoms such as vomiting, heartburn, and nausea. In their duration, they are longer than cardiac ones and differ in some features. They may depend on food intake: for example, occur on an empty stomach and disappear after eating. With such pain, nitroglycerin is completely useless, but antispasmodics help.

The acute form of pancreatitis is characterized by severe pain that may in some cases feel like heart pain. The condition may resemble an approaching heart attack, with vomiting and nausea appearing in both cases. It is almost impossible to relieve symptoms at home.

During spasms of the bile ducts and gallbladder, it may seem that the heart hurts. Although gallbladder and the liver are located on the right side, but when severe pain occurs, it begins to give to the left side of the chest. In this case, you can stop the pain with the help of antispasmodics.

Very strongly resembles angina pain in the presence of a hernia in the esophagus. Usually it occurs with the onset of night, when a person arrives in a horizontal position. As soon as a person assumes an upright position, there is a sharp improvement in the condition.

central nervous system

In the case of disorders of the central nervous system, prolonged and frequent pains in the chest area, namely on the upper side of the heart, can be noted. The patient may describe his symptoms in different ways, but in most cases, it is aching continuous pain, in some cases it is short-term or acute.

Pain in neurosis is always accompanied by irritability, sleep disturbance, anxiety and other manifestations of disorders of the autonomic system. In this case, it is recommended to take sleeping pills or a sedative. A similar picture appears at the time of the onset of menopause. In some situations, cardioneurosis is difficult to distinguish from coronary artery disease, since in both cases there may be no changes on the ECG.

In summarizing

In any case, the patient is advised to consult a doctor. Even a qualified doctor without a proper examination is not able to make an accurate diagnosis, based only on the pain of the patient. In addition, each of the diseases may have atypical symptoms.

TERRIBLE SHOT IN THE HEART

The pains are so strong that the ambulance goes, but every time the cardiogram is normal. It was so twisted once that they took me to the hospital to check troponins - they were normal. Ultrasound did - no crime. I have osteochondrosis of three sections of the spine, but it hurts me differently (constant pain between the shoulder blades, discomfort in the neck and lower back). And these shots are unexpected, sharp. The worst thing is that the pain sometimes increases on EXHAUST, and not inhalation, and this, they say, is a heart attack.

What if this is unstable angina pectoris, and it does not go away from massage, but just a short-term attack?

I think that all these shootings are manifestations of neurosis. You just read the hell out of what and now you are inventing horror stories for yourself. Therefore, all doctors never find anything.

In addition to lumbago, there is a pain behind the sternum that squeezes like a fist for 3-5 seconds during excitement. I really really hope that it is psychogenic (at best) or from the spine or gastroenterological diseases (there are 8 diagnoses, confirmed objectively, but it all hurts in a completely different way).

And after all, once he was not afraid of anything - he was wounded, and shell-shocked, and went to the knife, was engaged in very traumatic martial arts, parachuting was like a drug. All do not care was. But here is THIS. It's like betraying your body.

It started some time after an operation on the abdomen, after which he did not recover and did not return to the sport. So I'm not afraid if even a larger man with a knife jumps on me - they passed, I'll work him out. With any lads I can dobazar without nerves. It would seem - everything passed.

And when these shootings - even if you understand with your mind that this happened and passed 100 times - some kind of animal horror.

I have never experienced this in my life, only as a child, when they made fun of me and said that my mother was killed, and she just went to the store. Such fear was only then.

And backache in an absolutely calm state. If I'm on edge, then the maximum is a natural tachycardia, this is normal.

Along the way, it became calmer when I realized this.

Possible causes of stabbing pain in the heart

Pain in the heart can have a different character. Often patients complain of stabbing pains. As a rule, it is they who give people special anxiety. At the same time, experts believe that stabbing pain in the region of the heart is not always a sign of coronary diseases. On the contrary, such a symptom is uncharacteristic of most life-threatening cardiac pathologies. It is most often observed in lesions of the spine and nervous system.

As a rule, when complaining of a sharp stabbing pain in the heart, people mean sensations in the left side of the chest. Many are sure that the main organ is on the left. In fact, the heart is located in the middle of the chest, and cardiac pains are usually felt behind the sternum, although they can also be given to the left side. It often happens that people take sharp, dagger pains, which are not dangerous at all, for a heart attack. At the same time, they may miss the really heart symptoms or not take them seriously.

Distinguishing cardiac pain from non-cardiac pain

The following signs may indicate a non-cardiological origin:

  1. They are permanent, while an angina attack lasts no more than a minute.
  2. Usually shooting or piercing. As for the heart, they are pressing, burning, squeezing.
  3. Acute stabbing pains occur with sudden movements, deep inspiration, coughing. Cardiac are usually associated with psycho-emotional and physical stress.
  4. Painful sensations of non-coronary origin, as a rule, do not radiate to the left arm, neck, shoulder blade, jaw, as can be the case with heart disease.

Why does it occur?

The reasons for its appearance are varied.

  1. One of the most common causes- intercostal neuralgia, which is often mistaken for a heart attack. The disease is characterized by severe pain, stabbing or piercing, which lasts from several minutes to several days.
  2. Another common cause is neurotic conditions. In addition, a person may complain of a lump in the throat, shortness of breath, nausea, palpitations, irritability, and stomach pain. The patient usually emotionally talks about his state of health and considers himself seriously ill. As a rule, this is possible with severe stress, as well as impressionable people who worry about every occasion and react sharply to any troubles.
  3. Stitching pain in the region of the heart may appear with diseases of the spine. Sometimes with osteochondrosis there are symptoms of heart disease, namely irradiation to the arm, shoulder blade.

Diagnosis in the event of pain in the chest

In some cases, it is a sign of heart disease:

  • Heart attack. A symptom of a heart attack can be pain of this nature. She, in addition, gives to the back, left arm, throat, jaw. The patient develops nausea and heartburn, cold sweat appears, loss of consciousness is possible.
  • Angina. In this case, this symptom may appear due to spasms of the coronary vessels and as a result of insufficient blood flow to the pericardium.
  • May have such a symptom and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is characterized by thickening of the walls of the left or right ventricle.
  • Pericarditis is inflammatory disease outer shell of the heart. The causative agents can be bacteria, viruses, fungi. Pericarditis is traumatic and allergic, can develop against the background of malignant tumors and after taking corticosteroid drugs.

Stitching pains in children

Particular attention should be paid to the complaints of children. They have periodic stabbing pain in the heart for other reasons, unlike adults. In this case, the child must be carefully examined. The following pathologies can be detected:

  • congenital heart defects;
  • pericarditis;
  • rheumatic heart disease after angina;
  • myocardial dystrophy;
  • disorders of the coronary circulation;
  • neurosis.

What to do?

Most often, stabbing pain in the heart, even severe, is in no way associated with a dangerous heart disease and is not life threatening. To find out the cause, in any case, you will have to consult a doctor who will prescribe an examination and treatment. With this symptom, a differential diagnosis is required.

An ambulance needs to be called if there is a suspicion of a heart attack or an angina attack. Once again, it should be said that in these cases such pain rarely occurs. An acute heart attack is characterized by pressing pains in the chest, radiating to the back, left arm, neck, and jaw. In addition, with a heart attack, shortness of breath, heartburn, nausea, and discomfort in the stomach are observed. With angina pectoris, the pain is usually burning or bursting, while not sharp, but dull.

Pain suddenly appears, rises to the chest area, rolls up to the throat, I try to drink water, the pain, I feel, disappears after 10 minutes.

You seem to have heartburn due to dietary errors.

Sometimes it was as if they pierced me with a spear through and through - they stuck it in the chest on the left and it came out somewhere under the shoulder blade. So it hurts for 10-15 minutes, but the pain is tolerable, then it goes away on its own. I don’t take any medications, but such minutes have become more frequent, I thought, what is it??

No need to invent anything, go through an examination, at least an ECG. According to the results, it will be possible to exclude the narrowing of the coronary arteries and its consequences.

I have the same.

It only hurts longer, 30-40 minutes.

I did an EKG and everything seems to be fine. There was a sharp pain first near the ribs, then near the shoulder blade, he had intercostal neuralgia. Can you suggest what it is?

It was like a knife through my heart. I drank Corvalol and went to cardiologists many times, but they did not respond. The ambulance had to be called many times. One day, someone from the ambulance told me to undergo an examination by a neurologist. It turned out that this was due to a lack of calcium. It can also happen when something is blown out of you or you suddenly somehow don’t like it so much.

Secondary sharp pain in the left side of the chest, ECG is normal, tachycardia, yesterday there was an attack once, today 5 times, from fear (the pressure rises immediately), I think so, and WHAT IS IT?

you vividly describe hypertensive crisis. It does not matter that the pressure figures do not reach 200. I advise you to take an analysis for hormones in order to check the functioning of the thyroid gland.

It hurts in the heart area, colitis, I'm 20 years old, it hurts a little and goes away, what should I do?

The pain appears suddenly. Unable to inhale and exhale?

I periodically have a very sharp sharp pain from the foot of the left leg and in the left side of the chest, as if a vein was pulled out, the pain lasts a moment, but before the pain was weaker, and recently it has been very sharp and more painful. Please tell me what it is and which specialist should I contact?

My husband sometimes has a sharp pain in the region of the heart. How can I deal with this?

Hello. I am 31 years old and have never seen a doctor in my entire life. And recently, pains in the left side of the chest, closer to the armpit, began to disturb. The pain is sharp, stabbing and short-lived - not more than seconds, but strong enough to not be able to move. After a sharp pain for some time, a slight aching, radiates to the left arm (feeling as if I could not straighten my arm to the end). I would appreciate an explanation.

Hello. I am 22 years old, severe sharp pains that do not allow me to move in my back, sometimes in the chest, heart. Worried from time to time, from the senior classes addressed. A year ago, of necessity, the pain is stronger than before. They said tachycardia without pathological changes, prescribed a course of 40 days with valerian and panangin, adhered to, they said - it will pass. I still go with valerian in my pocket so as not to spoil important points in life. Is it worth it to apply a second time, maybe something was missed?

I am 24 years old, I have had colitis for 3 days and, as if with contractions under my left breast, I am afraid that it is my heart. In the spring I had intercostal neuralgia. The EKG is normal.

From time to time there is a short pain on the verge of patience in the fingers of the left hand, moreover, the feeling is as if it moves to the tip of the finger and disappears when it is reached. Tell me, what could it be.

The second day is a sharp, prickling pain on the left under the ribs in the region of the heart. Do not inhale, do not exhale, do not lie down, do not laugh. When I stand for a long time, my head moves off, my legs do not hold. I'll sit, it seems better. The doctor's appointment is only two weeks later. Tell me how dangerous it can be. I'm 29. Thank you.

To calm the soul, you need to do a cardiogram, and for help you need to go to a vertebrologist.

Stitching sensations (increased when inhaled) in the region of the heart, radiate to the left side of the chest, disappear after 4-7 seconds. Such sensations occur 2-3 times a week, sometimes less often. What could it be?

Pain in the chest on the left side of the 4th day, it hurts to cough, it hurts to breathe deeply, it hurts to lean forward, there is a slight pain in the arm, but there is a stabbing pain. Tell me, tell me please.

Hello, I used to have dizziness, I was in the hospital, after which they discovered “Prolapse mitral valve second degree ", at the moment they are suffering from pain in the heart, are these the consequences? Please tell me.16 years old.

There were two heart attacks. I could not help but speak, not breathe, it hurt in the middle of my chest. Has passed or has taken place after Noshpa's tablets. The second time I couldn't sleep. While I was sitting it was easier, as I lay down, the middle of my chest hurt. Gone after heart drops. Now interruptions in the heart. What can I have.

How can you be so careless about your health? you need to see a doctor and be examined, your most important organ and such an attitude towards it.

At rest, rare but very acute colic in the region of the heart. What is this?

Hello, tell me, pain in the heart when inhaling, coughing, and when you just lie down, it gives a little to the back, the head hurts, the pressure is low, pain in the temples.

Tell me, does the heart hurt, colitis, burns, pain suddenly appears, maybe it's from stress?

It hurts in the region of the heart, sometimes colitis, gives to the arm and back. What could it be? 16 years.

Hello, when I take a deep breath, I have colitis in the heart area, what is wrong with me? I'm 19 and don't want to get sick.

Hello, cutting pains in the region of the heart, at the slightest exertion, when laughing, when bending down to wash the floor, at the slightest excitement. Also, when excited, there is no possibility of exhalation and sigh. The pain is also in the left forearm. Taking heart drops - the pain instantly goes away. Please, is there any answer to my complaints.

It's strange for me. ECG is normal. On echography, they saw PMC and tachycardia, I suffer from pressure. It is either 90/60 or 140/80. And in recent months, there was a sharp stabbing pain in the region of the heart, an arrhythmia appears. I run an ecg, but everything is within the normal range.

For 2 weeks now, the pain in the region of the heart has become more frequent, especially at night. When the pressure rises above 140 or falls below 100 mm.r. With. I am 66 years old. I had a heart attack 3 years ago, I have 4 stents. The pressure jumps from the weather in the suburbs - I can’t stabilize it, and my nerves are far from the same. 26. 12. 2017

Piercing pain in the region of the heart. As they pierced with a bayonet, the left shoulder and left side hurt. Feeling very tired after three days of lying down. Relatives took him to the cardiology center, where he was diagnosed with a heart attack. Heart hurts donate blood ALT and AST (I can confuse letters) these indicators of blood ejection during a heart attack. And never trust one result! Take an ECG in different clinics. Take an echogram a couple of times. Believe me, 250 for an ECG and 600 for an echo, not so much money compared to health.

After the sea, when bending over, it hurts over the heart. The pain rises to the throat, and I straighten up -

Periodically there are stabbing pains in the region of the heart, as if breathing is stopped, if a sigh, then something bad seems and it is hard to sigh. with small calm exhalations - with sighs I help myself. Possibly out of nerves :(

I am 32 years old. I have a constant mild aching pain in the region of the heart for two weeks. Started after a stressful experience. Sometimes, once a day approximately, sharply and strongly pricks. Tell me, please, what can it be?

I have sharp pains in the region of the heart when inhaling and gives away to the left arm. What could it be??

Signs of a heart attack. Contact a cardiologist, do not delay!

Periodically (once a day, a week, maybe two or three times a day, in different ways) there is a strong stabbing pain in the region of the heart, more often in a sitting position, I can’t move and breathe normally, because. the pain sharply increases. The duration is short (up to 1.2 minutes), then I slowly warm up. According to the cardiograms, the norm, ultrasound, there are only two deviations from the norm - the right ventricle 3.0 and the septum 1.5. What can it be and where to turn for help?

32 years old, started about 10 years ago, but then it didn’t really bother, now it has become more frequent.

A sharp pain in the region of the heart, like a knife, and reverberated throughout the head, like needles.

Yesterday it was and today: a sharp pain in the left side, where the ribs are near the chest, as if you can’t breathe, it lets go for a couple of seconds, then this doesn’t continue during the day, it’s the first time, I’m still pregnant.

Hello! Tell me, please, over the past 2 months I have had sharp pain 3 times, from which I can’t breathe, I can’t move for 5 minutes from the back and in front of the middle a little to the left, and after that the pain on the left side of the body for several days, which had happened before , thank you ☺

Hello everyone. Tell me plz. Pain under the left breast in the region of the heart. Pains are sudden, stabbing. They have been tormenting me for two years, I passed all the tests. We checked everything that is possible, in two years I passed tests twice, I will soon begin to glow at night like a light bulb from such an amount of enlightenment. There are no results. They can't find anything. Now they are going back for an MRI. Tell me, maybe someone came across. Thanks in advance.

I have a prickly pain in my left side, left breast above and behind my shoulder blades in my left back. It hurts all day, sometimes it doesn't. If I raise my left hand, turn around and move, it hurts a lot.

Update: October 2018

A healthy heart is a prerequisite for a long and fulfilling life. Pain in the heart area, at least, require careful attention to yourself. If they arise, then there is always alertness and anxiety. “Heart, heart, what happened that confused your life?” Do cardiac pains always indicate problems with the heart and how to distinguish them from other pains - in this article.

The region of the heart - where is it?

The projection of the heart on the anterior chest occupies the area from the upper edge of the cartilage of 3 ribs to the lower edge of the body of the sternum. The apex is projected into the 5th intercostal space 2 cm medially from the line crossing the middle of the clavicle. The right border goes from the cartilage of the 3rd rib to the 5th intercostal space on the right.

Usually, any discomfort in the left half of the chest is taken for heart pain, regardless of its nature and intensity. But the typical location of heart pain is the area behind the sternum and to the left of it to the middle of the armpit.

Features of the spread of heart pains are the appearance of reflected pains (on the left in the shoulder blade and under it, in the arm). Sometimes reflection is isolated, for example, 4-5 fingers of the left hand, left jaw. Rarely does pain radiate to right hand or left shoulder.

The nature of the pain in the heart

The description of suffering by the patient himself is very important at the first stage of diagnosis. It is a detailed description of pain that allows the doctor to navigate in the direction of the search and reduce to the necessary minimum additional methods examinations.

When questioning a patient, take into account:

  • conditions for the occurrence of pain (during exercise or after, at rest, connection with food, at night or daytime)
  • the nature of sensations (pricks, compresses, aching, cuts, presses, constantly or periodically)
  • pain duration
  • after which they stop.

Causes of pain in the heart

Heart disease: Diseases of the stomach and esophagus: Toxic effects:
  • ischemic disease (angina pectoris, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, post-infarction)
  • endocarditis
  • pericarditis
  • myocardiopathy
  • myocardial dystrophy
  • secondary lesions on the background diabetes uremia, hyperthyroidism
  • heart injury
  • tumors
  • esophagitis
  • foreign bodies of the esophagus
  • stomach ulcer
  • tumors
  • stenosis of the esophagus
  • mallory-weiss syndrome
  • chemical burns of the esophagus and stomach
  • gastric bleeding, ulcer perforation.
  • drugs
  • alcohol
  • heart poisons
  • nicotine
  • drugs
Heart overload: Pulmonary pathologies: Pathologies of large vessels:
  • with arterial hypertension
  • volume in thyrotoxicosis
  • pressure with portal hypertension (for example, with)
  • pneumonia
  • pleurisy
  • tuberculosis
  • silicosis
  • lung or large bronchial tumors
  • aortic aneurysm, including its dissection
  • aortic coarctation
  • pulmonary embolism
Diseases of the mediastinum: Nerve damage: Bone lesions:
  • mediastinitis
  • neoplasms
  • intercostal neuralgia
  • herpes zoster
  • fractures and fractures of the ribs
  • pain in blood tumors
Muscle damage: Skin lesions: Pathologies of the mammary glands:
  • sprains
  • rhabdomyoma
  • boils
  • carbuncles
  • mastopathy (gynecomastia in men)
  • benign tumors

Constricting pain

This is a typical cardiac pain, informing about the oxygen deficiency of the heart muscle. It is characteristic of almost all forms of coronary heart disease. With angina pectoris, compressive pain in the chest in the region of the heart or behind the sternum gives typical reflections under the scapula and left arm. It occurs during exercise and passes independently at rest or from taking nitroglycerin, which dilates blood vessels and redistributes blood between the layers of the myocardium.

Patients with various types of arrhythmia are also concerned about such pain:

  • it is most typical of atrial fibrillation or ventricular fibrillation
  • frequent extrasystoles
  • paroxysmal tachycardia
  • intracardiac blockades
  • often the pain is accompanied by a fear of death and necessarily uneven pulse
  • the equivalent of pain in some cases is shortness of breath, indicating circulatory failure.

Atypical constrictive pain under the left shoulder blade, in the region of the heart, may occur at rest, in the early morning hours against the background of spasm of the coronary arteries (Prinzmetal's angina).

Sharp pain

This variant of pain always signals the need for emergency care, and therefore does not allow you to switch to anything else. The condition can also be described as acute pain, as it occurs suddenly.

angina pectoris

A protracted angina pectoris attack with a typical location and reflection of severe compressive pain is the result of incipient thrombosis, embolism, or a sharp stenosis of the coronary vessels. At this stage, nitroglycerin does not help well, but timely medical assistance can prevent the death of the heart muscle. If after taking nitroglycerin twice with a break of five minutes, the pain has not gone away. It is necessary to call an ambulance.

myocardial infarction

This is actually necrosis of the heart wall. Here, only treatment in a specialized hospital can save the patient's life and preserve its future quality. With myocardial infarction, the pain is very pronounced, protracted, intractable by nitropreparations, accompanied by fear of death, a feeling of lack of air. sweating, hand tremors. It can also be atypical, for example, give into the stomach or mimic intestinal colic, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, heart rhythm disturbances, convulsions, involuntary urination. Some heart attacks pass with a mild pain syndrome, which does not lose its sharpness, but the pain is more tolerable. With pain, it is stopped only by neuroleptoanalgesia using powerful painkillers.

Diseases of the esophagus and stomach

The second variant of a dangerous sharp pain in the region of the heart is a catastrophe with the esophagus and the cardial part of the stomach. Perforation of a cardiac ulcer will give a dagger pain, which will entail vegetative disorders in the form of lightheadedness. flashing flies before the eyes, dizziness or loss of consciousness.

For the esophagus, bleeding is more typical against the background of frequent vomiting (Mallory-Weiss syndrome) or from dilated esophageal veins with portal hypertension against cirrhosis of the liver. The rate of loss of consciousness and the severity of circulatory disorders will depend on the amount of blood loss. In any case, ulcer perforation or bleeding is a reason for surgical care.

Thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery

This is a thrombus that has sailed from the pelvic system or into the arteries of the lung. The more branches of the pulmonary artery thrombosed and the larger they are, the more pronounced and intense the pain. In addition to it, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, palpitations, swelling of the jugular veins are observed. With thrombosis of large trunks, collapse and loss of consciousness develop. it's the same emergency, requiring emergency assistance and hospitalizations.

Aortic aneurysm dissection

It occurs more often in older men against the background of long-term unregulated arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, or coarctation of the aorta. A provoking factor may be heart or aortic surgery. Most often, the ascending part of the vessel is stratified. In this case, a longitudinal rupture of the inner membrane leads to the accumulation of blood between the layers of the aorta. Suddenly there is a sharp tearing pain behind the sternum or in the region of the heart, extending under the shoulder blade. At the same time, the pressure first rises. and then drops sharply. There is asymmetry of the pulse on the limbs, the skin turns blue. Sweating appears, fainting may develop. Neurological manifestations are violations of motor activity. Hematoma can lead to oxygen starvation heart, shortness of breath, hoarseness. Often patients fall into a coma.

rib fracture

Sharp pains are also characteristic of. Subsequently, the nature of the pain changes to aching or gnawing.

Pressing pain

In cases of overload of the heart, pressure on it or dull pain may be felt.

  • This variant of pain can also occur in healthy people, for example, with excessive physical exertion, playing wind instruments that increase pressure in the pulmonary circulation.
  • With arterial hypertension, the heart has to pump blood against a pressure gradient, which impairs its blood supply and increases the workload.
  • Thyrotoxicosis leads to increased heart rate and overloads the heart with volume.
  • Cardiac tamponade is a consequence of injuries and compression of the heart with blood. Also, the heart can compress the effusion with pericarditis of various origins (tuberculous, tumor).
  • With myocarditis of an infectious or allergic nature, non-intense pressing pains are accompanied by shortness of breath, rhythm disturbances, and heart failure.
  • Myocardiopathy, myocardial dystrophy, neoplasms of the heart also give pressing sensations without a clear connection with the load, prolonged or episodic.
  • Pressing pain behind the sternum mimics foreign bodies in the esophagus or esophagitis.
  • Intoxications of various nature (medicinal, narcotic, alcoholic), as well as poisoning with organophosphorus substances, ether, chloroform, neurotoxic plant poisons give severity to pressure on the heart, are combined with arrhythmias and heart failure, are fraught with.
  • Purulent pathologies of soft tissues, mastopathy. also give excess pressure in the projection of the heart.
  • High levels also lead to a situation where pressing pains mimic cardiac pathologies.

In order not to get into the situation of Tom Sawyer, who was not strong in anatomy and hid the donated flower closer either to the heart or to the stomach, you can use a comparative table to distinguish stomach pain from heart pain.

stabbing pain

If the heart stabs occasionally, the pain is not accompanied by blood flow disorders (no fainting, dizziness, memory or speech disorders), as a rule, is not dangerous.

  • Most often, stabbing pains in the heart are given by neurocirculatory dystonia, in which the vessels do not have time to adequately narrow or expand when the load changes.
  • Rarely, stabbing pains are accompanied by infrequent extrasystole,),.

Strong pain

  • Unbearable pain can be with a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, dissection of an aortic aneurysm. Often it is 10 out of 10 points. Patients are excited, rush about. Have an intense fear of dying.
  • 10-9 points on the intensity scale gives mediastinitis - inflammation of the mediastinum. When a purulent process develops due to complications surgical treatment, injuries of the esophagus, the collapse of tumors, then the pain causes patients to take a forced position with their chin pressed to the chest. It is aggravated by swallowing and tilting the head. There is also fever, sweating, agitation or confusion, swelling of the upper half of the body.
  • Angina gives pain from 6 to 8 points.
  • Myocarditis and pericarditis 5 to 2.

Aching pain in the region of the heart

The tighter the rhythm becomes modern life, the greater the number of patients complains of pain in the heart in the cardioneurosis program. There are absolutely no organic changes in the organ or the vessels feeding it in such patients or they are insignificant.

  • there is only a high degree of neuroticism
  • depression
  • anxiety disorder
  • often cardioneurosis develops as part of somatized depression.

Dissatisfaction with oneself and the world around, which does not come out in behavioral features, breaks through in the form of pain in the heart. At the same time, patients are haunted by many unpleasant sensations: pressure on the heart, its fading when inhaling, aching pains and anxiety for one's health.

Often fixation on a non-existent cardiac pathology makes a person repeatedly examined, change specialists and clinics, significantly poisoning his life. At the same time, an experienced psychotherapist or group correction could solve the problem in a short time.

Pain in the heart: what to do

If you suspect a heart problem, it is better to reassess the risks and immediately contact a general practitioner or cardiologist. After questioning and examination, the doctor will prescribe:

  • urine and blood tests
  • fluorography of the chest organs
  • if necessary, bicycle ergometry, treadmill and ECHO-cardioscopy.

Such a tactic will allow you to react in time to a real heart disease or in a short time to make sure that it is absent and save unnecessary nerve cells. In addition, other serious and not so serious diseases are often disguised as cardiac pathologies, which are also desirable to be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.

Pain in the heart is an unpleasant phenomenon, which often indicates the development of serious diseases. Also, painful sensations can appear against the background of physical overstrain or severe stress.

Pain in the heart may indicate the development of diseases

For initial diagnosis, the following factors should be considered:

  • pain duration;
  • the nature of the discomfort (stabbing, cutting, squeezing, aching, periodic or permanent);
  • conditions for the occurrence of discomfort (at what time and under what circumstances the pain appeared).

There is an erroneous opinion that any pain in the left side of the chest is cardiac. In fact, a typical zone of localization of cardiac discomfort is the sternum (the area behind it and to the left of it). Unpleasant sensations reach the armpit.

To make a correct diagnosis, you need to see a doctor. Pain in the sternum is a symptom of many pathologies associated not only with the heart, but also with the lungs, mammary gland, stomach, muscles, bones and blood vessels.

Causes of pain in the heart

Discomfort that occurs in the region of the heart can have different intensity. Some patients feel a slight tingling sensation, others a sharp pain that paralyzes the entire body.

At home, you can only approximately determine the cause of the discomfort. First you need to study everything possible diseases and deviations that can cause a similar symptom.
Diseases directly related to the heart. Ischemia (angina pectoris, cardiosclerosis, myocardial infarction). Endocarditis, myocarditis, myocardial dystrophy, pericarditis. It is possible to detect malignant neoplasms, heart injuries, secondary injuries.
Nutritional and gastric pathologies. Tumors, ulcers, foreign bodies in the esophagus, internal bleeding, chemical burn injuries. Pain can also occur against the background of esophagitis, narrowing of the lumen of the food tube, GERD.
Lung diseases. Silicosis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleurisy, the formation of tumors in the bronchi or lungs.
Diseases of the great vessels. Aneurysms and coarctation of the aorta, PE (blockage of the artery of the lung).
Pathology of the mediastinum. Tumors, mediastinitis (localized in the fiber area).
Diseases of the mammary gland. Benign and malignant tumors, gynecomastia (male pathology) and mastopathy (female).
Influence of toxins. Pain in the heart may appear due to alcohol, nicotine or drug intoxication of the body. Also, cardiac discomfort often occurs as a side effect of medications.

Unpleasant sensations can appear due to damage to muscles, bones, nerve trunks and even skin. The danger is also an overload of the heart, which occurs due to increased physical activity, arterial and portal hypertension.

Pain in the chest does not always indicate the development of heart disease. Discomfort, aggravated by tilting the body, deep inspiration or expiration, may be due to pathologies of the costal cartilage or sciatica (thoracic).

Sharp and severe pain in the intercostal spaces is the first symptom of shingles.


Pain in the ribs may be a symptom of shingles

Short-term and periodic cardiac discomfort of an indefinite nature often indicates the development of neurosis. In patients with this diagnosis, pain is localized in one place, for example, under the heart.

If a person is nervous, then he may also experience cardiac pain. Discomfort, which, as it were, presses on the heart, appears due to bloating of the intestines. Unpleasant sensations that occur after eating certain foods or fasting indicate diseases of the pancreas or the stomach itself.

What is the nature of the pain?

The nature of the pain is a decisive factor in helping to accurately determine the type of disease.

Compressive

Pain typical of oxygen deficiency of the heart muscle. It often occurs in ischemic diseases.

With angina pectoris, an unpleasant sensation appears behind the sternum, radiates to the shoulder blade. The patient's left hand is also numb. Pain occurs suddenly, usually due to excessive stress on the heart. A compressive discomfort can occur in a person after stress, physical activity, or eating a large amount of food.

Pain is atypical if it is localized under the left shoulder blade and occurs in the early hours when the person is at rest. Such discomfort appears due to a rare variety of angina - Prinzmetal's disease.


Pain under the left shoulder blade may indicate Prinzmetal's disease

pressing

Pain may occur in healthy person due to alcohol or drug intoxication, as well as due to physical overstrain.

Pressing discomfort under the heart is characteristic of such diseases as arterial hypertension, breast or stomach cancer. If discomfort is accompanied by rhythm disturbances and shortness of breath, then this indicates myocarditis (allergic or infectious). Pressing heart pain can also arise from experiences.


If the pain is accompanied by shortness of breath, then this indicates myocarditis

stabbing

There is no need to worry if the heart colitis is intermittent and without accompanying symptoms (problems with speech, dizziness, fainting). The most common cause of stabbing discomfort is neurocirculatory dystonia. It occurs during physical activity, when the vessels do not have time to expand or contract with changes in rhythm.

Pain, which is permanent and prevents breathing, speaks of diseases of the lungs and bronchi (pneumonia, cancer, tuberculosis). Sharp stabbing pain in the left side of the chest is a symptom of myositis. The disease occurs due to muscle sprains, infection, hypothermia and helminthic invasion.


Neurocirculatory dystonia may occur due to physical exertion

Aching

Aching discomfort in the region of the heart is a typical symptom for patients suffering from regular psycho-emotional overload. At the same time, pain can be strongly felt and occur periodically. As a rule, patients with nagging cardiac discomfort do not have any serious diseases or abnormalities. A person should think about going to a neurologist or psychotherapist if he has the following symptoms:

  • depression;
  • apathy or, on the contrary, increased irritability;
  • suspiciousness, anxiety;
  • somatic disorder.

If it aches and hurts in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe heart for no specific reason, then this may indicate cardioneurosis. Aching-compressive discomfort also occurs against the background of an ischemic stroke, but in this case, other characteristic symptoms are also observed: dizziness, loss of consciousness, a sharp deterioration in vision, numbness of the extremities.

Pulsating and aching pain is a sign of intercostal neuralgia.


Ischemic stroke is accompanied by pain in the heart and dizziness

sharp

The occurrence of severe and sudden cardiac discomfort in most cases requires further hospitalization of the patient. Sharp and sharp pain characteristic symptom many serious pathologies. Such discomfort may indicate diseases such as:

  1. Pathology is characterized by prolonged pain that occurs suddenly and is not amenable to painkillers. It becomes difficult for the patient to breathe, he has a fear of imminent death. Unpleasant sensations can be given to the stomach, spread throughout the chest. With a myocardial infarction, the patient may begin vomiting or involuntary urination.
  2. Aortic aneurysm dissection. Often occurs in older people who have undergone surgery on the aorta or heart. Patients have a feeling of sudden cutting pain, rapidly gaining intensity. At first, there may be a feeling that something is stabbed inside. Discomfort often radiates to the shoulder blade. At the same time, the patient's blood pressure constantly rises and falls.
  3. Rib fracture. With fractures, burning pain is observed, which subsequently transforms into aching. The patient requires immediate hospitalization, as internal bleeding may begin.
  4. PE (pulmonary embolism). The disease leads to blockage of the pulmonary artery by a thrombus that has sailed from varicose veins or pelvic organs. This pathology is characterized by a sharp cardiac discomfort, gaining intensity over time. The patient may have a feeling that he is pressing or baking inside. The main symptoms of PE are palpitations, coughing up blood clots, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. Patients often find it difficult to breathe, they experience severe shortness of breath.
  5. Pathology of the stomach and esophagus. The most dangerous phenomenon is considered to be perforation of an ulcer of the cardiac or stomach. With such a complication, a sharp stabbing pain occurs, transforming into nausea. The patient has black dots before his eyes, he may lose consciousness. Any diseases of the stomach and esophagus, accompanied by vomiting or loss of consciousness, require hospitalization.

Sudden and sharp pain indicates a myocardial infarction

In some cases, severe cardiac discomfort occurs against the background of prolonged angina pectoris. In addition to pain, the patient may feel dizzy.

How to distinguish the symptoms of cardiac ischemia and signs of an ulcer of the cardiac region? With ischemia, discomfort occurs during physical activity, more often in the daytime or in the evening. The pain has a compressive, less often - aching character, lasts up to half an hour. With an ulcer, discomfort occurs in the morning when the stomach is empty. The discomfort is of a sucking or pressing nature, lasting for several hours or all day.

What to do with heart pain?

A person who has a sharp heart attack needs to be given first aid. For minor diseases, you can try medication and alternative methods of treatment. Any therapy should be agreed with the doctor.

First aid

If the heart suddenly hurts, then you should immediately stop physical activity and calm down. A person should sit down, loosen or remove outer clothing and squeezing accessories (belt, tie, necklace). It is advisable to sit in a comfortable chair or lie down on the bed. Such methods are suitable if the heart aches due to overload.

The patient must have his blood pressure measured. For readings above 100 mm Hg, one tablet of nitroglycerin should be placed under the tongue and wait until it is completely absorbed. First aid is especially effective for angina pectoris. If these methods do not help, then you need to call an ambulance.

With ischemic stroke, first aid can also be provided. To do this, gently turn the victim to one side, cover with a warm blanket and apply ice or a cold object to his forehead. You can not use ammonia to bring a person to his senses. If clinical death is suspected, it is necessary to give the patient a heart massage.


If there is a sharp pain in the heart, a person needs to ensure peace

What to do with pain in the heart of a teenager? At the age of 14-17 years, tachycardia (an increase in heart rate over 90 beats per minute) is normal. With tachycardia, minor pain, dizziness, and less often nausea can be observed. If a teenager has serious deviations, then he should be taken to a therapist. It is this doctor who will conduct an initial examination and refer the patient to the right specialist.

Pharmacy preparations

Over-the-counter medications help with minor pain. It should be understood that all serious diseases are treated under the close supervision of a doctor. The following medicines help to get rid of pain in the heart:

  1. Corvalol (drops). A sedative used for congestion and nervous conditions. Available in the form of drops. Not approved for use by lactating women. Take 15 to 50 drops at a time. The drug should be dripped into a small amount of water and drunk after meals. Recommended dose for tachycardia: 45 drops. The cost of Corvalol: about 50-70 rubles.
  2. Validol (tablets). Another sedative that dilates blood vessels. The drug is used for angina pectoris, cardialgia, neuroses. Daily dose: 1 tablet no more than 3 times a day. A positive effect should occur within 5-10 minutes after using the medication. In the absence of a pronounced effect on the second day of using the medication, therapy should be stopped. The cost of the drug: from 50 rubles per pack.
  3. Aspirin cardio (tablets). A medicine that helps with angina pectoris (in particular, unstable), cerebrovascular accidents. It is used more often for the prevention of various heart diseases. The tool relieves cardiac pain of varying severity. The drug should be used 1 time per day. Tablets should not be taken by pregnant and lactating women. The cost of the medication: from 80 rubles.
  4. Piracetam (ampoules). With the help of this drug, injections can be given. The remedy is effective in coronary heart disease. It has a nootropic effect. It is necessary to use the drug carefully, since at the very beginning of treatment, injections are administered both intravenously and intramuscularly. It should be done 2-3 injections per day, the daily dose of the drug is 300-400 mg. Course of treatment: at least 7 days. The cost of funds: from 45 rubles.

If a person becomes ill after taking medication, then it is worth completely changing the course of treatment. The drugs should have a positive effect after a maximum of 2-3 days of use. The injections have a cumulative effect, so they can work for 4-5 days.


Corvalol is a common sedative

Folk remedies

For pain in the heart, you need to apply various methods therapy. It is worth giving up smoking, alcohol, harmful and fatty foods. Patients often need to be in the air, it is desirable to go to nature. It is also worth isolating yourself from psycho-emotional stress. Otherwise, serious problems cannot be avoided, since all negative factors affect the heart.

Valerian, hawthorn and motherwort

A soothing blend that will help with aching and pressing pain caused by stress. To prepare the solution, you need to pour a glass of warm water and add a few drops of valerian, motherwort and hawthorn to it. The tincture can be drunk 2 times a day. It helps relieve stress and relieve cardiac discomfort.

Valerian tincture will help relieve pain

Motherwort, hawthorn and wild rose

The mixture will help strengthen blood vessels and stabilize the work of the heart. You will need to take 1.5 liters of boiled water, 1 tablespoon of wild rose, 2 tablespoons of motherwort and 5 tablespoons of hawthorn. The result is a solution that is enough for several days. It should be taken 1-2 times a day for half a cup. The mixture does not help treat serious heart diseases, but it provides powerful prevention and relieves pain.


Motherwort will help stabilize the work of the heart

Pumpkin juice and honey

Pumpkin juice with honey should be taken for cardiovascular pathologies. The ingredients must be mixed in proportions of 3: 1. In order for the mixture to work well, it must be drunk at night. You can also take a nut mixture with raisins, as it helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.


Pumpkin juice is good for the cardiovascular system

Can you drink coffee when your heart hurts?

There is a list of factors in the presence of which drinking coffee is categorically not recommended. It should not be used by pensioners and children. Adolescents should also limit their frequent drinking of coffee and coffee-containing drinks. For people with hypertension, this drink is strictly prohibited.


It is forbidden to drink coffee for people with hypertension

Various studies have proven that nothing happens to a person suffering from cardiac diseases after coffee. At the same time, you can drink no more than 1-2 cups per day, depending on age and condition. Coffee should not contain sugar and be too strong. It is also worth noting that the regular use of this drink reduces immunity.