What Are the Most Common Causes of Chest Pain?

Chest pain can result from a variety of causes. In primary care, many patients have chest pain that is not due to heart disease. One major group of causes is musculoskeletal, where the pain can come from muscle strains, inflammation of the rib cartilage (costochondritis), or other issues affecting the chest wall. Gastrointestinal causes are also common; for example, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal spasms can create a burning or squeezing sensation in the chest. Pulmonary problems like pleurisy (inflammation of the lung lining), pneumonia, or even a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung) can contribute to chest pain, particularly when breathing deeply. Additionally, psychological conditions such as anxiety and panic disorders can cause chest discomfort that may mimic other causes. Although cardiac issues, including angina and heart attacks, are less frequent in primary care patients with chest pain compared to non-cardiac causes, they are critical to rule out due to their potential severity. It’s important for your doctor to evaluate your symptoms and perform tests if needed to determine the exact cause and provide the proper treatment.