Why Do I Experience Chest Pain When I Breathe?

When you experience chest pain while breathing, it may mean that something in your chest is irritated. One common cause is pleurisy, which is inflammation of the pleura—the thin membranes covering your lungs. When these layers rub against each other during breathing, it can cause a sharp, stabbing pain. Another possibility is costochondritis, where the cartilage connecting your ribs to your breastbone becomes inflamed and causes pain, especially with deep breaths or movement. In addition, some heart conditions can lead to chest discomfort that worsens with breathing because of changes in blood flow or pressure in your chest. Lung infections such as pneumonia or even pulmonary embolism—a blood clot in the lung—can also present with pain on breathing. Because chest pain can result from a range of causes and some can be serious, it’s important to discuss these symptoms with a healthcare provider. They can perform the necessary examinations and tests, such as a chest X-ray or an electrocardiogram, to find out exactly what is causing your pain and recommend the right treatment.