Causes and methods of treatment for a feeling of pressure in the chest

The feeling of pressure on the chest immediately triggers the thought of a heart attack in many people . Although this can actually be the cause of the uncomfortable, oppressive feeling in the chest, there are also numerous other (harmless) diseases that can be responsible for the symptoms. It is not uncommon for the psyche, for example in the case of fear, stress or depression, to be the trigger. Muscle tension and blockage of the vertebrae often also lead to a feeling of pressure in the chest. However, there are other symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizzinessor sudden severe pain, the emergency doctor should be informed immediately. Because then both serious cardiovascular diseases and problems with the lungs can cause a life-threatening condition of the patient.

Table of Contents

  • Causes and methods of treatment for a feeling of pressure in the chest
  • Causes of chest pressure
  • Chest pressure in cold and other respiratory diseases
  • Chest pressure with shortness of breath
  • Pressure on the chest as an alarm signal for a heart attack
  • Chest pressure in cardiovascular diseases
  • Pressure on the chest in diseases of the lungs
  • Chest pressure due to discomfort in the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract
  • Chest presses for musculoskeletal complaints
  • Chest tightness and pressure due to mental health problems
  • Treatment of chest tenderness
  • Home remedies to relieve chest pressure
  • Naturopathy to relieve pressure in the chest

Causes of chest pressure

The symptom “pressure on the chest” can have different causes. The heart, lungs and esophagus come into consideration as the source of organic complaints. But problems with your back or stomach can also cause a feeling of pressure in your chest. There are also psychological causes such as anxiety or stress . Affected people often report an oppressive feeling in the chest, which can trigger real panic attacks with shortness of breath.

A feeling of pressure very often arises when muscles are tense. Poor posture and lack of exercise, but also a wrong breathing technique can cause tightness in the chest. Earlier pleurisy can also cause hardening, tension and sticking in fascia, muscles, ligaments and skin. Often, the feeling of pressure only comes to light years after the actual illness. Chest injuries and scars from previous surgical procedures, such as heart or lung surgery, can also cause the symptoms. Last but not least, in some cases, respiratory diseases – flu infections and bronchitis – also cause uncomfortable chest pressure.

In order to be able to pinpoint the origin of the complaints, the doctor will first ask about the type and location of the feeling of pressure. Is it just pressure or pain? Do you have any further complaints? Is the feeling permanent or does it arise during certain movements or activities? Once the cause has been found, treatment can be initiated depending on the diagnosis. Forms of therapy from naturopathy and manual therapy such as osteopathy and chiropractic can be very promising, especially in the case of muscle tension as the cause of the symptoms.

Important, but not all, causes of chest pressure are listed below. Affected people should always consult a doctor to rule out life-threatening causes.

Chest pressure in cold and other respiratory diseases

A cold (flu infection) can be very persistent and uncomfortable. As a rule, it is associated with runny nose, sore throat and difficulty swallowing, coughing as well as headache and body aches . In some cases, bronchitis develops, in which patients often feel pain and pressure in the area of ​​the breastbone. If the symptoms do not improve or even worsen after a short time, it is advisable to consult a doctor, because bronchitis can develop into pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. With pneumonia, the patients suddenly feel very sick and sometimes have a high feverand breathing problems. Even with flu (influenza) sufferers sometimes suffer from shortness of breath and a feeling of pressure in the chest.

Chest pressure with shortness of breath

In addition to the common cold, flu, bronchitis and pneumonia, other diseases with shortness of breath are possible causes. First of all, there is the heart attack, which is an acute life-threatening situation for the patient and requires immediate medical care. With other heart complaints such as angina pectoris, pericarditis or stumbling in the heart , apart from the feeling of pressure, shortness of breath can also occur. Serious diseases of the lungs, such as acute pulmonary embolism, pleural effusion or bronchial carcinoma, are also often associated with shortness of breath.

Pressure on the chest as an alarm signal for a heart attack

Chest pressure is often harmless, but it can also be an alarm for a heart attack. Many sufferers describe a feeling of pressure and tightness in the chest, “as if an elephant is standing on the chest”. This feeling is often accompanied by a sudden sharp pain behind the breastbone and on the left side of the chest. If it lasts longer than five minutes, the pain is a typical sign of an infarction. They can also radiate into the back, neck, jaw, upper body or arms. These symptoms are often accompanied by cold sweat, paleness, shortness of breath, nausea, restlessness and (death) fear.

If such complaints occur, the emergency doctor should be called immediately at number 112! Many heart attack patients die because they don’t take the signs seriously and are treated too late. In addition, a heart attack in women is often atypical. The typical pain behind the breastbone may be absent in women. Instead, they report sudden pain in the neck and jaw, back or upper abdomen.

In some cases, the infarction in women only announces itself through nausea , abdominal pain , upper abdominal pain and dizziness. In case of doubt, the emergency doctor should also be informed if the symptoms are not clear!

A heart attack usually arises from an acute occlusion of a coronary artery (coronary artery). These supply the heart muscle with blood. If the blood flow is interrupted, myocardial cells die after two to four hours at the latest. This puts the heart’s pumping function at risk, making the infarct a life-threatening event. It is therefore important that the patient receive medical care as quickly as possible. Every minute counts in a heart attack! Cardiovascular diseases – especially the heart attack – are still the number one cause of death.

Chest pressure in cardiovascular diseases

If a patient complains of a feeling of chest pressure, the doctor will examine whether a heart condition could be causing the discomfort. Angina pectoris is associated with a frequently dull feeling of pressure in the chest area. In addition, there is often pain behind the breastbone, which can radiate into the right or left arm as far as the fingertips, the shoulders, the neck, the teeth and, less frequently, the stomach area. The victim has the feeling that his chest is constricting him. The symptoms of angina pectoris are often very similar to those of a heart attack, with the former quickly resolving through medication. In contrast, symptoms persist in myocardial infarction. Angina pectoris is usually due to coronary artery disease, in which the coronary arteries are narrowed by deposits, so that the heart muscle is no longer adequately supplied with oxygen. The complaints occur particularly as a result of physical exertion.

Arterial calcification is a major cause of a heart attack. (Image: psdesign1 / fotolia)

Another condition in which patients often experience uncomfortable pressure on the chest is pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium). Sufferers suffer from severe pain in the area of ​​the heart, which can radiate in the shoulder and neck. In acute pericarditis, shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat can also occur. The disease is life-threatening because the inflammation can cause a rapid increase in the fluid between the pericardial leaves. This fluid accumulation can lead to the ventricles no longer filling up with blood and the pumping power of the heart decrease.

Many people report a sensation of pressure in the chest in case of heart stumbling. This is a mostly harmless cardiac arrhythmia, for which the so-called extrasystoles, additional heartbeats that cause the heart to briefly out of rhythm, are the cause. Triggers can be stress, fear, excitement and friends. Consuming coffee, alcohol or nicotine can also cause heart stumbling . In addition, serious cardiovascular diseases can be considered as the cause. If, in addition to the feeling of pressure in the chest, other symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath or impaired consciousness appear and the symptoms do not go away after a few minutes, a doctor should be consulted.

Many patients with heart valve disorders experience a feeling of pressure on their chest, for example when they exert themselves physically or inhale cold air. This feeling arises because one or more heart valves can no longer or only to a limited extent perform their valve function. This blocks the blood flow through the heart, so that insufficient blood with oxygen and nutrients can get into the body. Those affected often suffer from weakness attacks and shortness of breath. Heart valve defects are often congenital, but they can also develop during life or be acquired through infections.

Hypertension (arterial hypertension) usually remains unnoticed for a long time because it does not cause any noticeable or visible symptoms. Patients who go to the cardiologist with symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations , headaches often fear a heart disease. It is not uncommon for the symptoms to be caused by high blood pressure.

Pressure on the chest in diseases of the lungs

In addition to heart and circulatory diseases, problems with the lungs can also cause a feeling of pressure in the chest. In both cases, bronchitis and pneumonia cause symptoms.

There is an acute danger to life if the symptoms are due to pulmonary embolism. A blood clot or other substances clog a pulmonary artery, so that the flow of oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs is blocked. Those affected do not always suffer from pronounced symptoms such as a sudden onset of breathlessness, pain when breathing, bloody expectoration, rapid heartbeat and sudden loss of consciousness. In some cases, patients report only slight chest pain.

Another life-threatening illness, in which those affected complain of a feeling of pressure, is pneumothorax, an accumulation of air between the lungs and chest wall or in the pleural space (between the two layers of the chest coat). One or both lungs can no longer expand properly through the air and partially or completely collapse. The accumulation of air can have different causes. Sometimes it occurs as a result of medical intervention or an accident. However, so-called spontaneous pneumothorax occurs even more often without a recognizable trigger. In addition to the feeling of pressure, the symptoms of pneumothorax include breathlessness and chest pain. In mild cases, however, the disease can proceed without any complaints and heal on its own. In severe cases, on the other hand, the pulmonary and cardiovascular functions can be significantly restricted, which can lead to lung failure and shock.

Pleurisy can also lead to chest pressure. A so-called pleural effusion that is caused by moist pleurisy (synonym: pleurisy) is responsible. This is an accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. In addition to the feeling of pressure, those affected often also suffer from shortness of breath, fever and weakened breathing noises. Causes of a pleural effusion can include malignant tumors, tuberculosis or bacterial pneumonia.

Lung cancer (bronchial carcinoma) can be the cause of the symptoms if patients suffer from a feeling of pressure or a general feeling of discomfort in the chest over a long period of time, accompanied by a persistent cough that does not improve despite medical treatment. Shortness of breath and bloody sputum when coughing also occur in some patients. Since the disease has been without symptoms for a long time, lung tumors are usually discovered late. The symptoms arise either from a primary tumor, which is often located in the central area of ​​the lungs where the bronchial branches branch, from lung cancer colonization, or from the spread of the tumor in the chest area.

Chest pressure due to discomfort in the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract

While many people immediately think of worrying diseases such as heart attack or pulmonary embolism when there is a feeling of pressure on the chest, the causes are much more harmless. Heartburn often leads to chest pressure. The rising stomach acid in the esophagus can cause severe pain behind the breastbone as well as a feeling of pressure. These symptoms are often accompanied by acid regurgitation. In patients with refluxDisease, in which the symptoms are easily confused with the symptoms of angina pectoris, often develops into an esophagitis. As a result of this disease and if the organ is already damaged, excessive pressure, such as vomiting, can cause an esophageal tear. This rare complication leads to violent stinging and pressure in the chest.

Overview of gastric diseases. Diseases such as reflux are often hidden behind the symptoms in the breast. (Image: Henrie / fotolia)

Diseases of the pancreas or gall bladder can also trigger named symptoms. With pancreatitis (pancreatitis) or gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), there is often pressing and pulling chest pain that radiates from the abdomen to the chest.

Chest presses for musculoskeletal complaints

It is not uncommon for tension, for example due to poor posture and sore muscles after exercise, to cause an oppressive feeling in the chest. Pain in the upper back, such as due to vertebral blockages, can also trigger a feeling of an “elephant on the chest”. Problems with the spine are often associated with restricted movement. The symptoms usually appear suddenly and irritate nerves and muscles between the ribs. In the area of ​​the thoracic spine in particular, vertebral blockages can lead to symptoms similar to those of angina pectoris.

Rib bruises or fractures due to accidents can also cause an uncomfortable feeling of pressure and pain in the chest area. The symptoms occur especially when breathing, coughing and laughing.

Chest tightness and pressure due to mental health problems

Psychological problems often lead to a feeling of pressure in the chest area. Many sufferers also suffer from tension due to an unfavorable posture, which can increase chest pressure.

Stress is believed to be one of the most common causes of chest pressure. The high workload, the constant availability via mobile phone and email and little time to pursue your own interests and relax are just a few examples that can quickly lead to stress. If you then do not see the emergency brake and step shorter, you risk a burnout.

Fears can also trigger an enormous feeling of pressure. A special form of fear is cardiac phobia (synonym: cardiac neurosis ). The patients suffer from heart problems, which, however, have no organic cause. You are very afraid of a serious heart disease up to a heart attack. Behind a cardiac phobia there is usually a psychological defense mechanism in which the actual fears are transferred to another goal, in this case the heart. Anxiety-causing and stressful events are often the cause of cardiac neurosis.

People with depression often report chest pain. In addition, those affected suffer from depression, anxiety, lack of energy, listlessness, sleep disorders and loss or increase in appetite.

Treatment of chest tenderness

The causes are very diverse. The treatment therefore depends on the trigger, which can affect the heart, for example, in the case of angina pectoris, heart stumbling or heart attack.

In the event of a heart attack, treatment must begin as soon as possible to save the patient’s life. The aim is to get the coronary artery closed by blood clots as the cause of the heart attack as quickly as possible to prevent major damage to the heart muscle. Either therapy with a stent or intravenous lysis therapy with which the blood clot is to be dissolved can be considered.

In angina pectoris, inhalation of nitroglycerin causes the vessels to dilate and alleviate the symptoms. A pump stroke also lowers blood pressure.

Heart stumbling, on the other hand, often does not require treatment unless the symptoms are prolonged. Beta blockers can alleviate the symptoms if, for example, they occur due to stress.

A distinction must also be made between diseases of the lungs and life-threatening and harmless symptoms. Pulmonary embolism requires immediate medical attention, while bronchitis usually heals on its own. Depending on the severity of the pulmonary embolism, treatment with anticoagulant drugs, fibrinolysis (dissolution of the blood clot), catheter treatment or open surgery (pulmonary embolectomy) to remove the blood clot can be considered.

With mild pneumothorax, therapy is usually to give the patient oxygen. Drainage to remove accumulated liquid or air can also be used if oxygen therapy is insufficient. Since a bacterial infection can develop, those affected usually receive antibiotics.

With tension pneumothorax there is an acute risk to life, since the lung and cardiovascular function can be significantly restricted. Then the air must be removed from the pleural space as quickly as possible. Usually, chest drainage is also used.

For chest pain caused by heartburn or reflux disease, antacids help bind stomach acid that has already formed. Other drugs can inhibit the excessive formation of stomach acid.

If the musculoskeletal system is accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the chest, manual therapy, physiotherapy and massages can be used to treat the problems. Various alternative medicine procedures such as chiropractic, osteopathy, Rolfing , acupuncture or Dorn therapy are also promising . With targeted exercises and training, the patient can often make a significant contribution to his recovery himself.

If the symptoms are related to psychological complaints, those affected should weigh up with their family doctor whether psychotherapy is an option. If there is suspicion of depression or other serious and treatment-related mental illnesses, drug therapy is often useful.

With stress, relaxation exercises such as progressive muscle relaxation , autogenic training , yoga or tai chi are sometimes sufficient to relieve the symptoms. Endurance sports such as running, Nordic walking or swimming can also make sense to “switch off”. However, if the person concerned feels very stressed and tense over a longer period of time, psychotherapy may also help in this case.

Home remedies to relieve chest pressure

If the feeling of pressure is due to a rather harmless cause, the complaints can often be alleviated with simple home remedies. A combination of warmth and exercise helps with tense muscles. Heat patches with capsaicin, the ingredient of chillies that are responsible for their spiciness, or a warm bath stimulate the blood circulation and relax the muscles. The muscles can be stretched by movement.

In heartburn, avoiding heavy meals before bed and acidifying substances like nicotine and alcohol can provide relief. Spicy foods should never be on the menu for heartburn.

Naturopathy to relieve pressure in the chest

Naturopathic treatments can be used if the cause of the feeling of pressure does not require acute therapy. For example, naturopathic treatments are promising for muscle tension as the cause of the symptoms. In addition to massages, thermotherapy applications such as warm packs with peloids, such as mud or mud, or red light radiation help in many cases. Those affected often find the warmth to be very beneficial and relaxing. It also promotes blood circulation and muscle tension relaxes.

If the pressure on the chest is due to stress, there are various relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, yoga and progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson. In addition, homeopathic remedies, such as China D6 (China bark) or Ferrum metallicum D12 (Iron), as well as Schüssler salts can be taken. In the latter case, the “nerve salt” No. 5 (potassium phosphoricum) in potency D6 comes into consideration because it is considered an “expert” for the psyche and nerves. According to current scientific studies, lavender – especially the ingredients linalool and linalyl acetate – has a calming effect on stress. In addition to its calming effect, the plant also promotes sleep, relieves anxiety and increases brain performance.

For mild reflux symptoms, naturopaths often advise a 14-day roller cure with chamomile flower extract as a tincture. For this, twenty drops of the extract are dissolved in a glass with warm water. A quarter of the solution should be drunk on an empty stomach. The patient then lies on his back for ten minutes. Then another quarter is drunk and the side position is taken. This procedure is repeated once more in the prone and the opposite lateral position. It takes 40 minutes for the person concerned to roll around their own axis.

In heartburn, fresh potato juice can act as a basic buffer on stomach acid. During production, the green areas on the potatoes must first be removed. Then the pressing takes place. If you suffer from heartburn on a regular basis, homeopathic remedies can help alleviate your symptoms in many cases. For acute treatment, among other things, the close intake of Acidum sulfuricum as well as Capsicum and Robinia pseudacacia in low potencies or as individual constitutional therapy can be considered.

 

by Abdullah Sam
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