What could right side chest pain indicate?

When you experience pain on the right side of your chest, it can be a sign of several different conditions. One possibility is pleuritic chest pain. This type of pain occurs when the lining around your lungs (the pleura) is inflamed, and the pain often worsens with breathing or coughing. Such lung issues can include infections or even pulmonary embolism. Musculoskeletal problems, like strained muscles or rib injuries, can also cause pain on that side of your chest. In other cases, gastrointestinal issues, such as a duodenal ulcer, have been known to cause pain that radiates to the right chest area. Other gastrointestinal issues, such as gallbladder disease can cause right sided chest pain. However, any new or worsening chest pain should be evaluated by a doctor, who can take your history, perform a physical exam, and run appropriate tests (such as imaging studies or an EKG) to determine the underlying cause and ensure you get the right treatment.