Sharp Sternum Pain? Why Your Chest Is Aching and the Medical Steps to Take

Sharp pain in the sternum—the flat bone in the center of your chest—can be alarming. Because the sternum sits close to the heart and lungs, discomfort in this area often raises immediate concern. While some causes of sternum pain are minor and temporary, others can signal serious medical conditions that require urgent attention.

Understanding what might be behind your sternum pain can help you respond calmly and appropriately.

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What Is the Sternum?

The sternum, commonly called the breastbone, is a long, flat bone located in the center of your chest. It connects to your ribs via cartilage and forms the front of your rib cage. Its main functions are to:

• Protect vital organs like the heart and lungs
• Provide structure and stability to the chest wall
• Serve as an attachment point for muscles involved in breathing and arm movement

Pain in the sternum can come from the bone itself, the cartilage attaching the ribs, surrounding muscles, or internal organs nearby.

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Common Causes of Sharp Sternum Pain

1. Costochondritis (Inflammation of Rib Cartilage)

One of the most common causes of sternum pain is costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs meet the sternum.

Typical features:

• Sharp or aching pain in the center of the chest
• Pain that worsens with deep breaths, coughing, or movement
• Tenderness when pressing on the sternum
• Often affects one side but can involve both

Costochondritis is usually not dangerous, but it can be painful and persistent. If you're experiencing these symptoms and want to understand whether Costochondritis might be causing your chest pain, a free AI-powered symptom checker can help guide your next steps.

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2. Muscle Strain or Chest Wall Injury

Overuse or strain of the chest muscles can cause sharp sternum pain. This may happen after:

• Heavy lifting
• Intense exercise
• Persistent coughing
• Sudden twisting motions

Muscle-related sternum pain often:

• Worsens with movement
• Improves with rest
• Feels sore or tight rather than crushing

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3. Trauma or Fracture

A direct blow to the chest—such as from a car accident, fall, or sports injury—can bruise or fracture the sternum.

Signs may include:

• Severe pain when breathing or moving
• Swelling or bruising
• Pain that worsens when pressing on the area

Sternal fractures require medical evaluation, especially if there was significant trauma.

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4. Acid Reflux or GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause a burning sensation behind the sternum. This pain may feel sharp or pressure-like.

Common symptoms include:

• Burning in the chest after eating
• Sour taste in the mouth
• Pain that worsens when lying down
• Relief with antacids

Though reflux pain can mimic heart-related pain, it is digestive in origin.

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5. Heart-Related Causes

Pain in the sternum can sometimes signal a heart problem. This is especially important to recognize.

Warning signs of possible heart-related pain:

• Pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the chest
• Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck, or back
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating, nausea, or dizziness
• Pain triggered by exertion and relieved by rest

Heart attacks do not always cause dramatic symptoms. If sternum pain is severe, new, or accompanied by the symptoms above, seek emergency medical care immediately.

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6. Lung Conditions

Lung issues can also cause pain behind the sternum.

Examples include:

• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung)
• Pneumonia
• Pleurisy (inflammation of lung lining)

Symptoms that raise concern include:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Sharp pain that worsens with breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Fever

These conditions require urgent evaluation.

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7. Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Anxiety can cause chest pain that feels sharp and centered near the sternum. Panic-related chest pain may include:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Tingling in hands
• Feeling of impending doom

Even if anxiety seems likely, new or unexplained sternum pain should not be dismissed without medical review.

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When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:

• Crushing, squeezing, or heavy chest pain
• Pain that spreads to the arm, jaw, or back
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Fainting or severe dizziness
• Chest pain after trauma
• Known heart disease with new symptoms

It is always better to be cautious with chest pain involving the sternum.

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Medical Evaluation: What to Expect

If you see a healthcare provider for sternum pain, they may:

• Ask detailed questions about your symptoms
• Perform a physical exam (including pressing on the sternum)
• Order tests such as:
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Chest X-ray
  • Blood tests
  • CT scan (if needed)

If pressing on your sternum reproduces the pain, this often points to a musculoskeletal cause like costochondritis rather than a heart problem. However, your provider will rule out more serious conditions first.

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Treatment Options for Sternum Pain

Treatment depends on the cause.

For Costochondritis or Muscle Strain

• Rest and avoiding aggravating activities
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (as recommended by a doctor)
• Heat or ice therapy
• Gentle stretching

Symptoms often improve over weeks, though mild discomfort can linger.

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For Acid Reflux

• Avoid trigger foods (spicy, fatty, acidic)
• Eat smaller meals
• Avoid lying down immediately after eating
• Medications to reduce stomach acid

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For Heart or Lung Conditions

Treatment may include:

• Prescription medications
• Blood thinners
• Oxygen therapy
• Hospital monitoring
• Procedures if necessary

These conditions should always be managed under medical supervision.

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Can Sternum Pain Be Prevented?

Some causes are preventable, others are not.

You can reduce risk by:

• Using proper lifting techniques
• Gradually increasing exercise intensity
• Managing acid reflux
• Not smoking
• Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol
• Maintaining regular medical checkups

Taking care of your heart health significantly reduces the risk of dangerous causes of sternum pain.

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Key Takeaways

Sharp sternum pain can range from mild inflammation to serious medical emergencies.

Most common causes include:

• Costochondritis
• Muscle strain
• Acid reflux

More serious causes include:

• Heart attack
• Pulmonary embolism
• Severe lung infections
• Trauma-related injuries

If your sternum pain is mild, reproducible with touch, and not accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is often musculoskeletal. Still, if you are unsure, it's reasonable to use tools like a free online assessment or seek professional guidance.

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The Bottom Line

Pain in the sternum should never be ignored—but it also should not automatically cause panic. Many cases are treatable and not life-threatening. The key is recognizing when symptoms suggest something more serious.

If your chest pain is sudden, severe, or associated with shortness of breath, spreading pain, or fainting, seek emergency care immediately.

For ongoing, unexplained, or recurring sternum pain, schedule an appointment and speak to a doctor. A proper medical evaluation is the safest way to determine the cause and ensure you receive appropriate treatment.

Your health and peace of mind are worth that step.