Right-Side Chest Pain: Pay Attention, But Don’t Panic

Have you ever felt a sudden sharp pain or dull ache on the right side of your chest that caught you off guard? It's natural to worry about your heart when you feel chest pain, but there are many other possible reasons for discomfort on the right side. It could be from strained muscles, issues with your lungs, or other unexpected causes. Let's explore what might be causing you this discomfort and when you should see a doctor about it.

Discomfort or pain localised to the right side of the chest is referred to as right-side chest pain. This can happen for different reasons, like problems with muscles and bones in your chest, breathing difficulties, issues with your stomach or digestion, or even problems with your heart. While we often associate left-side chest pain with heart problems, pain in the right side shouldn't be ignored either, as it can also indicate a serious condition. Depending on what's causing the discomfort, the symptoms can differ.

The underlying causes of right-side chest pain include issues with muscles, digestion, breathing, and the heart.

1. Muscle strain: Injured muscles in your chest or upper back that hurt more when you move or take deep breaths
2. Rib fractures: Sharp pain from a broken rib, usually due to an injury varying with breathing
3. Costochondritis: Inflammation in the cartilage connecting your ribs to your breastbone, which can feel like heart-related pain. The pain varies with breathing.

1. Acid Reflux (GERD): Stomach acid travelling up into your oesophagus (food pipe), leading to a burning sensation in your right chest
2. Gallstones: Small stones in your gallbladder that can cause cramp-like pain in your upper right chest, especially after eating.

1. Pleurisy: Inflammation of the lining around your lungs, causing sharp pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply
2. Pneumonia: Lung infection that can make the side of your chest hurt, along with fever and coughing

1. Angina: Reduced blood flow to your heart, sometimes causing pain in the right side of your chest
2. Heart attack: Although less common on the right side, a heart attack can cause chest pain there.

1. Stress: Severe anxiety or stress can lead to anxiety or panic attacks. Those who have experienced panic attacks may develop panic disorder, fearing another attack. Symptoms may mimic a heart attack, including chest pain, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, palpitations, and sweating.
2. Shingles: A viral infection that can lead to painful blisters on the skin and nerve pain on one side of your chest.
3. Nerve problems: Irritation of the nerves between your ribs, causing sharp or shooting pains.
4. Breast issues: Problems like infections or cysts in your breast tissue that can cause discomfort above the right breast. Women may experience chest pain in the right side due to breast issues. 

It's crucial to consult a doctor for a diagnosis and proper management if you're feeling pain in the right side of your chest

• Muscle pain: A sharp, stabbing pain, hurts more when you twist or touch the area
• Lung pain: Sharp, pricking pain that varies with breathing
• Digestive issues: Can feel like a burning sensation or indigestion or bloating, but chest pain can feel different depending on what's causing it.
• Heart-related pain: Feels like squeezing, crushing, or pressure. Often happens during activity or when you're stressed, but can also come on when you're resting.
• Aortic dissection: Feels like a severe tearing pain that may start in the front and move to your back.

• During activity: Could suggest a heart issue
• Gradual onset at rest: Might indicate a heart attack
• Sudden pain: Could be from a tear in the aorta, a lung clot, or a collapsed lung
• After eating: Points more towards a stomach or digestive problem

• How bad is the pain?: Doctors will usually ask you to rate your pain on a scale from 1-10.
• Where is the pain?: Chest pain that’s only in one spot might be less serious. Discomfort extending to your arms, neck, or jaw may originate from your heart.
• How long does it last?: Pain that goes away quickly is less likely to be a heart problem.
• What makes it worse or better?: Does it hurt more when you move or breathe? Does it go away when you rest? Does the pain change in relation to food intake?

• Sweating, vomiting: Could indicate a serious heart condition
• Coughing up blood: Very rare, but a sign of a lung problem like a clot
• Feeling dizzy or passing out: Signals that your heart or lungs might be in trouble
• Bloated feeling, nausea, or vomiting: Could be from your digestive system

• Past chest pain: Your doctor will want to know if this has happened before and what was found.
• Health risks: Factors such as smoking, elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart conditions can play a role.

The treatment for right-side chest pain depends on the underlying cause. Dr Toms Jacob, an experienced medical officer working in the Health Services Department of Kerala, says, "All cases of chest pain, even if it's right-side, should be evaluated by a doctor at the earliest opportunity. The treatment strategy depends on the underlying cause. Our priority is to rule out life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks or blood clots in the lung and provide appropriate and timely treatment."

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following signs along with right-side chest pain:

• Sudden onset of severe chest pain
• Crushing pain in your chest
• Persistent pain or pressure in your chest that does not go away
• Chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath
• Discomfort that extends to your jaw or shoulder
• Chest pain along with dizziness or weakness.
• Loss of consciousness
• Other concerning symptoms like a high fever or coughing up blood.

If you have chest pain that lasts longer than five minutes and does not improve with rest or medication, it's crucial to seek immediate medical help. These signs might point to a severe underlying problem that needs immediate assessment and care.

A variety of factors — some serious and some not — could cause right-side chest pain. It’s important to pay attention to how it feels, when it happens, and any other symptoms you might have. If you’re ever unsure or if the pain is severe or getting worse, don’t hesitate to seek medical help. Quick action can make a big difference in getting the right treatment and feeling better soon.

Right-side chest pain is discomfort or pain that specifically occurs on the right side of the chest. It can stem from various causes, including issues with muscles, bones, lungs, digestion, or even the heart. While it's less commonly associated with heart problems compared to left-side chest pain, it should still be taken seriously as it can indicate serious conditions that may require medical attention.

If you have the following symptoms, chest pain is considered serious:  

• Sudden and intense onset: Chest pain that starts suddenly and intensely                     
• Crushing or heavy pressure: Feeling like a heavy weight on your chest                                               
• Radiation: Pain spreading to your jaw, shoulder, arm, or back
• Breathing difficulty: Chest pain accompanied by trouble breathing
• Dizziness or weakness: Feeling faint or lightheaded
• Nausea or vomiting: Especially with chest pain
• Coughing up blood: A rare but serious symptom

Should your chest pain continue, escalate during physical exertion, or not alleviate upon resting, it's critical to quickly seek medical assistance to identify the underlying issue and receive suitable care.

Heart-related chest pain, such as that from a heart attack, can often continue hurting even when you're at rest. On the other hand, muscular chest pain tends to be more noticeable when you move your chest or press on the area. If you're experiencing chest pain that persists, especially at rest, it's important to seek medical attention promptly to determine the cause.

Right-side chest pain not related to the heart can stem from various causes including musculoskeletal issues like muscle strains or rib fractures, gastrointestinal problems such as acid reflux or gallstones, respiratory conditions like pleurisy or pneumonia as well as other factors like shingles or anxiety-related symptoms. It's important to seek medical attention for persistent or severe pain to accurately diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

Right-side chest pain can have many causes, some serious and some not. It's important to get it checked out by a doctor to understand what's causing it and whether it needs treatment. Taking action early can help ensure your health and well-being.