Pain in the chest is particularly anxiety -provoking because it reminds of infarction. But it can be linked to other causes.
Intercostal pain is particularly anxiety -provoking, because it can be a sign of a myocardial infarction. She is “A very common reason for consultation“Specifies Doctor Patrick Assyag, cardiologist. It can find its origin at the intra-thoracic (which can reveal a heart disorder) or extra-thoracic (in the case of a gastroduodenal ulcer or a liver colic for example).
What symptoms?
Intercostal or thoracic pain can cause a feeling of tightening, burning, more or less intense cramp, appear brutally or progressive, and intensify in inspiration or by coughing, key characteristics to make the diagnosis.
What causes intercostal pain?
If most people associate chest pain with angina or myocardial infarction, it can find several other origins.
- Pain can obviously come from a recent trauma suffered at this location (fractured coast, sprain or intercostal muscle contracture, etc.).
- The presence of osteoarthritis on the vertebrae or a vertebral settlement due to osteoporosis are added to the list.
- In addition, intercostal pain is frequently due to Tietze syndrome, a benign disorder triggered by a simple “false movement” or by an inflammation of the cartilage. “It is very easily identified, because the pain is reproducible by pressure at a particular point” Adds Doctor Assyag. In this case, the pain generally ends up disappearing by itself.
- In addition, the origin can be neurological: intercostal neuralgia, zona or fibromyalgia can for example be the cause of pain felt.
- Note that certain abdominal pathologies (in the stomach, liver or pancreas) can sometimes cause pain that radiate to the ribs or the thorax.
- Pulmonary pathologies are less likely to cause these symptoms: “People with chronic pulmonary disease, such as a chronic obstructive broncho-pneumopathy (COPD) or an emphysema, mainly have an important respiratory discomfort”explains Doctor Assyag. A pulmonary embolism, on the other hand, can cause strong sudden chest pain. Pain can also be psychogenic, or linked to taking a psychotropic; It can sometimes be felt during a panic crisis.
When to consult?
“If you are in the presence of intense pain in the chest, which goes up to the jaw and radiates towards the arm, you are clearly faced with the start of the infarction and you have to contact the emergencies” warns Doctor Assyag. More generally, pain felt at the thorax should not be taken lightly and requires medical advice, in order to verify that it is not a sign of a serious condition.
When to worry and call emergencies?
A call for emergency medical service (15, 18 or 112) is essential if the person has brutal chest pain, accompanied by neurological disorders (agitation, anxiety, …), respiratory (size, cyanosis, …) and/or cardiovascular (hypotension, marbrides, pallor, …).
According to the end of the standard medical examination (which includes cardiac and pulmonary auscultation), the patient may have to carry out additional examinations in order to detect any anomaly. A thorax radiography and/or an electrocardiogram generally make it possible to lift doubt.
Thank you to Doctor Patrick Assyag, cardiologist for his explanations.
