![]() They do know that the brain tissue and the skull are never responsible since they don't have nerves that register pain. What causes headaches?ĭoctors don't fully understand what causes most headaches. Still, you should know when a headache needs urgent care and how to control the vast majority of headaches that are not threatening to your health. But if your headache is severe or unusual, you might worry about stroke, a tumor, or a blood clot. A minor headache is little more than a nuisance that's relieved by an over-the-counter pain reliever, some food or coffee, or a short rest. Nearly everyone has had headache pain, and most of us have had it many times. “It’s always better to be safe and have it evaluated.Understanding what causes headaches and finding treatments to relieve the pain Err on the side of caution and see a doctor right away, she adds. Similarly, play it safe if you have risk factors for heart disease - high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, a history of smoking or a family history of heart problems. Chest pain with other heart disease risk factors: 911 or the ER If you have other symptoms associated with serious heart and lung problems (like shortness of breath, a lot of sweating or nausea), call 911 or get yourself to the ER. “Not every pain needs to be worked up in the emergency department.” Chest pain with other symptoms: 911 or the ER “If you’re stable and not clutching your chest in pain, youĬan probably just schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor,” she If you’re young and otherwise healthy, and the pain eases upĪfter a few minutes, it’s probably not urgent, Dr. So how do you know if it’s an emergency? Chest pain but no other symptoms: Make a doctor’s appointment Unfortunately, it can be tough to pinpoint the cause of chest pain on your own. It’s unusual for a heart attack to cause pain without other symptoms, though, such as shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness. But some people experience atypical symptoms, especially women and people with diabetes, Dr. Typical heart attack pain is similar to the pain of coronary artery disease: A heaviness, tightness or pressure. “This type of pain is usually brought on by exertion and goes away with rest,” Dr. But usually, that pain is described as heaviness, achiness, tightness or pressure, rather than a sharp, sudden blast of pain. It’s a 911 situation.) Coronary artery diseaseĬoronary artery disease can cause a painful sensation in the chest called angina. This isn’t a sharp pain that eases after a minute, but pain you can’t ignore. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, fainting or dizziness, weak pulse and stroke symptoms. It feels like a sharp, tearing pain in your chest and back. This dangerous condition strikes when the layers of the aorta, the heart’s major blood vessel, tear apart. If you recently hauled a heavy box or worked out too hard at the weight gym, you might have developed a case of costochondritis - inflammation of the cartilage around the sternum. You might also have a hard time swallowing. With these conditions, pain is more likely after eating, exercising or lying down. So can esophagitis, an inflammation of the lining of the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. But sometimes, GERD can cause sharp chest pain and pressure, Dr. Besides pain, symptoms can include shortness of breath, pale skin, racing heart and cough.Īdvertising Policy Gastrointestinal problemsĪcid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can cause a burning sensation in your throat or chest - classic heartburn. ![]() Sharp chest pain could signal a pulmonary embolism, a clot that lodges in the lungs. Legha points to some of the common causes of sharp chest pain. So what’s going on inside your ribcage? Dr. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the pain, of course. A 2016 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that less than 6% of people who go to the emergency room for chest pain actually have a life-threatening problem. What causes sharp pain in the heart?Ĭhest pain isn’t always as bad as you might think. When you should consider it an emergency. Here’s what might be causing that breath-stopping pain - and But a whole lot of things can cause stabbing pain in your chest, and some have nothing to do with your heart, says cardiologist Sapna Legha, MD. ![]() PolicyĬhest pain is scary, and it can be serious. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
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