What could cause right side chest pain when breathing?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Right-side chest pain when breathing is most commonly caused by pleurisy (inflammation of the lung lining), lung conditions such as infection or pulmonary embolism, or musculoskeletal issues like a strained chest muscle or rib injury. The pain often worsens with deep breaths, coughing, or movement. While some causes are minor, others—like blood clots or pneumonia—can be serious and require prompt medical attention.

Because right-side chest pain when breathing has many possible causes ranging from mild to life-threatening, identifying the likely source early is critical. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand what may be behind your symptoms and guide your next steps—whether that means self-care, seeing a doctor, or seeking urgent care.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what’s causing right-side chest pain Find out if breathing worsens it Discover if symptoms need urgent care See OTC relief for chest pain Find a doctor for chest pain Understand home remedies for chest pain Check if this could be serious

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Explanation

When you feel pain on the right side of your chest while taking a deep breath, it may be coming from several different issues. One common cause is pleuritis (or pleurisy), which is inflammation of the thin lining around the lungs. This inflammation can result from infections like pneumonia. Blood clots in the blood vessels of the lungs, called pulmonary emboli, can also cause pain with breathing.

Another possibility is a musculoskeletal problem, where the muscles or cartilage on the chest wall become strained or inflamed. This type of pain, sometimes seen with costochondritis, tends to worsen with movement or deep breathing.

Rarely, other causes such as minor rib injuries or even soft tissue issues can contribute. Because pain during breathing can have several causes—from lung inflammation to muscle strain—it is important to discuss your symptoms with a doctor. To help identify what might be causing your chest pain, you can check your symptoms with our free AI-powered tool. They can evaluate your condition, perform any necessary tests, and determine the right treatment to help relieve your pain.

(References)

Updated 2022 Dec 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470557/
Brims FJ, Davies HE, Lee YC. Respiratory chest pain: diagnosis and treatment. Med Clin North Am. 2010 Mar;94(2):217-32. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2010.01.003. PMID: 20380952.
King PT, Holdsworth SR, Farmer M, Freezer NJ, Holmes PW. Chest pain and exacerbations of bronchiectasis. Int J Gen Med. 2012;5:1019-24. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S39280. Epub 2012 Dec 10. PMID: 23271921; PMCID: PMC3526875.

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