How Can I Tell If My Chest Pain Is Due to Muscle Strain?

Muscle strain in the chest often shows up as pain in a specific spot. One way to tell if the pain is due to muscle strain is to see if you can make the pain worse by moving your upper body, stretching, or pressing on the area where you feel discomfort. For example, if the pain started after you lifted something heavy, did a lot of exercise, or had a minor injury, and you feel more pain when you take a deep breath or when someone presses on the sore spot, it is likely to be from the muscles or the chest wall rather than the heart. Chest pain from a muscle strain tends to be localized and sharp or sore but not heavy or crushing. In contrast, chest pain from heart problems does not usually change with movement or pressing. Still, if you are not sure about the cause of your chest pain, it is important to talk to your doctor so they can check you out and give you the proper care.