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Why Do I Have Chest Pain When Breathing

In addition to painful respiration, you may experience:

What can cause painful respiration?

Painful respiration is discomfort that occurs when a person breathes in or out. Infections, musculoskeletal injuries, and heart problems can cause this pain.

The lungs do not have pain receptors, so when a person experiences painful respiration, it is not the lungs themselves that hurt. However, conditions that affect the lungs, organs, joints, or muscles within the chest cavity can cause pain when breathing.

In this article, we discuss when to get help and the possible causes of painful respiration. We also cover diagnosis, home treatment, and prevention.

Share on Pinterest Anyone who experiences excessive sweating alongside painful respiration should seek immediate medical attention.

Pain when breathing can sometimes be a sign of a potentially life-threatening condition, such as a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.

Patients, too, are unhappy with the care they receive during those brief interactions with their doctors. Healthcare communications company West Corporation reported that 25% of patients don’t feel that their provider cares about them as an individual and nearly 20% aren’t convinced their doctor is focused on improving their health – even though 93% of doctors strongly agree that patient satisfaction is important.

Seek immediate medical attention if the pain accompanies any of the following symptoms:

choking
loss or a decreased level of consciousness
chest tightness or pain, especially if it spreads to the arms, back, shoulder, neck, or jaw
severe shortness of breath
blue skin, fingers, or nails
struggling or gasping for air
excessive sweating
sudden dizziness or feeling lightheaded

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the air sacs within the lungs. The most common cause of pneumonia in adults is a bacterial infection, but other causes include viral and fungal infections.

People with pneumonia often have chest pain that can worsen when inhaling.

Other symptoms of pneumonia can include:

coughing
a high fever
fatigue
shortness of breath

People with symptoms of pneumonia should see a doctor. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the condition. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections.

Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, which are the tissues that line the chest cavity and the outside of the lungs. Many conditions can lead to pleurisy, including viral and bacterial infections.

People with pleurisy tend to experience sharp pain when breathing. Other symptoms may include:

pain that may spread to the shoulder blades
chest pain that is worse when coughing or sneezing
shortness of breath
unexplained weight loss

People with symptoms of pleurisy should see a doctor. Treatment depends on the underlying condition.

Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage that connects the breastbone and the ribs. The cause of this inflammation is not always clear, but it can sometimes result from a chest injury, severe coughing, or a respiratory infection.

Costochondritis typically causes sharp pain and tenderness around the breastbone. People may find that this pain radiates to the back and gets worse when breathing deeply or coughing.

Costochondritis often gets better on its own, but people should see a doctor if the pain interferes with daily activities.

Share on Pinterest Chest pain that gets worse with breathing or coughing could be a sign of pneumothorax.

Pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural space, which is the space between the chest wall and the lungs. The buildup of air increases the pressure in the pleural cavity, which can cause part or all of a person’s lung to collapse.

A chest wound, lung injury, or a complication of lung disease, such as emphysema or tuberculosis, typically cause pneumothorax.

Pneumothorax can cause chest pain that gets worse with breathing or coughing. Other symptoms can include:

a fast heart rate
bluish skin or nails
shortness of breath
tiredness
chest tightness
flaring of the nostrils

People with symptoms of pneumothorax should see a doctor. To prevent a person’s lung collapsing, a doctor may need to remove air from the pleural space.

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, which is a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and protects the heart. A wide variety of factors can cause pericarditis, including:

bacterial and viral infections
injuries or surgery to the heart
certain medications
autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
rarely cancer

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Ayloo, A., et al. (2013). Evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal chest pain.
https://www.primarycare.theclinics.com/article/S0095-4543(13)00088-2/fulltext
Heart inflammation. (n.d.).
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/heart-inflammation
Pleurisy and other pleural disorders. (n.d.).
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/pleurisy-and-other-pleural-disorders
Pneumonia. (n.d.).
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/pneumonia
Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis. (n.d.).
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/symptoms-and-diagnosis.html
Symptoms and diagnosis of pericarditis. (2016).
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/pericarditis/symptoms-and-diagnosis-of-pericarditis

Why Do I Have Chest Pain When Breathing?

Dull or sharp pain when breathing in or out can range from mild to severe, and it can also make it hard to breathe. This may be a sign of a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Certain factors may make it hard to breathe, like the position of your body or the air quality.

Seek emergency medical care right away for any unexplained chest pain or difficulty breathing. Also, speak with a doctor if you have a chronic illness that results in occasional bouts of painful breathing.

Possible medical emergency

Painful breathing can be a sign of a medical emergency or a symptom of a serious condition. Even if you think the cause is minor, meeting with a doctor can help make sure there isn’t something more serious going on.

In some cases, an injury to your chest, like a burn or a bruise, can cause painful breathing. In other cases, the cause may not be clear, and you’ll need to visit a doctor for an exam.

Conditions that cause painful breathing can vary widely in severity and include short-term illnesses as well as more serious issues with the lungs or heart.

Infectious causes

Even though the common cold can cause wheezing and minor breathing troubles, painful respiration can be linked to more serious illnesses.

It can be painful to take a deep breath, or you may have difficulty breathing when lying down, depending on the cause.

Some illnesses that can cause painful breathing include:

pneumonia, a lung infection caused by a virus, fungus, or bacteria
tuberculosis, a serious bacterial lung infection
pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining of your lungs or chest cavity, often due to infection
bronchitis, an infection or inflammation of the breathing tubes within your lungs
shingles, a painful infection caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus

COVID-19

Chest pain while breathing can be a symptom of COVID-19. If your chest pain is related to COVID-19, you may experience other symptoms, such as:

fever or chills
fatigue
myalgia (muscle pain)
loss of taste and smell
sore throat

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , chest pain while breathing could be an emergency warning sign if you have other symptoms of COVID-19. Seek emergency medical attention right away.

Painful respiration may also be a symptom of post COVID-19 condition, or long COVID. This means that the symptom may occur 3 months or longer after a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Lung injuries and disorders

Lung injuries and disorders can also cause painful breathing. Unlike short-term illnesses, these conditions can cause long-term breathing problems.

You’ll likely feel pain when breathing in and out, and your breaths may be shallower. Deeper breathing may cause coughing fits along with pain.

Some of the possible causes include:

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of lung diseases with the most common one being emphysema
asthma
chemical or smoke inhalation injury
broken ribs
pulmonary embolism, a blockage in one of the arteries of your lung
pneumothorax, a collapsed lung
empyema, a collection of infected pus within the lining of your chest cavity
costochondritis, an inflammation of the connections between your ribs, breastbone, and spine that causes chest pain

Heart disease and other heart issues

Heart disease is another possible cause of painful breathing. In such cases, you’ll likely have shortness of breath and breathing discomfort.

About 26 percent of people with heart-related issues, such as a heart attack, may seek treatment because of the breathing difficulty alone.

Types of heart disease that can contribute to painful breathing include:

angina, when blood flow to your heart is decreased
heart attack, when blood flow to your heart is blocked
heart failure, when your heart can’t pump blood properly
myocarditis, when the heart muscle becomes inflamed
pericarditis, when inflammation of the sac surrounding your heart causes a sharp pain

Heart-related chest pain can also cause:

burning sensations
dizziness
nausea
sweating
pain that moves into your neck, jaw, arm, or shoulder
upper abdominal pain

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

GERD occurs when the acidic contents of your stomach move back up into your esophagus. It’s a common condition that affects roughly 1 in 5 people in the United States.

The main symptom of GERD is heartburn, but you may also experience:

nausea
bad breath
difficulty swallowing

GERD is also linked to many conditions that can cause painful respiration, such as asthma and COPD.

Panic attack

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort. Symptoms of a panic attack often resemble those of heart disease or breathing disorders. Intensity usually peaks within 10 minutes or less.

In addition to painful respiration, you may experience:

accelerated heart rate or heart palpitations
sweating
trembling
shortness of breath
dizziness
lightheadedness
derealization, which is when you lose your sense of reality

Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room if you’re experiencing chest pain while breathing, along with any of the following symptoms:

loss of consciousness
shortness of breath
rapid breathing
nasal flaring in children or infants
air hunger, or feeling as though you’re unable to get enough air
gasping for breath
choking
confusion
excessive sweating
pallor, or pale skin
blue discoloration of your skin, lips, fingers, or toes (cyanosis)
dizziness
coughing up blood
fever

A doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of your painful respiration. They’ll ask about your:

complete medical history
family history of lung and heart disease
any other symptoms you might have

They’ll also ask you where it hurts when you breathe and what does or doesn’t help the pain, like changing positions or taking medication.

Your doctor will likely order some tests to help determine the cause of your painful breathing. These tests may include:

chest X-ray
CT scan
blood and urine tests
electrocardiogram (EKG)
pulse oximetry
echocardiogram
pulmonary function test

Once your doctor has determined the cause of your painful breathing, they’ll discuss possible treatment options with you. Your doctor may also refer you to a specialist if they’re unable to determine the cause of your pain.

The treatment of painful breathing depends on the cause. While you can treat bacterial pneumonia with antibiotics, other conditions may require anticoagulation medication or even surgery.

Conditions like asthma and emphysema usually require long-term care, including breathing treatments and a prescription drug regimen.

Changing positions

You may find relief from painful breathing after changing your body’s position, especially if you have COPD. You can try elevating your head with a pillow if the pain comes when you’re lying down.

Make sure to first speak with a doctor about your symptoms so you don’t delay your treatment.

If you’re sitting, you can try:

resting your feet flat on the floor
leaning forward slightly
resting your elbows on your knees or on a table
relaxing your neck and shoulder muscles

If you’re standing, you can try:

standing with your feet shoulder-width apart
leaning with your hips against the wall
relaxing your shoulders and resting your head on your arms
leaning forward slightly with your hands on your thighs

Short-term solutions

Besides medications, there are other preventive care measures and short-term solutions that can help. But as always, it’s important to contact a doctor if you have trouble breathing for any reason. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Sitting down and focusing on your breath can help if breathing becomes painful during everyday activities. Tell your doctor if your painful breathing improves with rest.

If the painful breathing interferes with your exercise routine, try lighter workouts such as tai chi or yoga. The meditation and focus aspects of these workouts can also help you relax while improving your breathing.

Long-term respiratory care

You can lower your risk of lung diseases by reducing your exposure to:

cigarette smoke
environmental pollution
workplace toxins
fumes

If you have asthma or COPD, it’s important to follow your treatment plan to reduce breathing problems. Ask your doctor whether certain breathing exercises can help.

Diaphragmatic (deep breathing) techniques can help encourage better breathing over time and reduce pain.

Preventing risk factors for heart disease can also help prevent related illnesses and subsequent symptoms. You can lower your risk of heart attack, angina, and other forms of heart disease by:

trying to lose weight, if applicable
lowering your blood pressure
decreasing your cholesterol levels
exercising daily
decreasing your consumption of salt, saturated fats, and trans fats
quitting smoking if you smoke, which is often difficult, but a doctor can help you create a cessation plan that works for you
managing your diabetes if you have diabetes

Preexisting cases of heart disease must be monitored by a doctor. Make sure you take all medications as prescribed, and notify your doctor if your painful respiration worsens.

Why Do I Have Chest Pain When Breathing