Breastbone Pain
Significance Of Breastbone Pain
Breastbone pain can come from several different causes, most of which require either immediate or eventual treatment. With the possible exception of heartburn, which is experienced at one time or another by many, breastbone pain is not a particularly common event as far as most people are concerned. When it does occur however, it is extremely important to establish the cause, at least to the extent of determining whether immediate medical attention is called for. This can often be done by noting other symptoms, which may be present at the same time as the breastbone pain is occurring.
Heartburn - As noted, one of the more frequent causes of breastbone pain is heartburn. Heartburn occurs when there is an excess of acid in the stomach, and backs up into the esophagus. Pain may be experienced directly beneath the breastbone or behind it. The pain may be felt while a person is moving about or completely at rest, and is most apt to be felt after food or liquid is consumed. Heartburn, also known as acid reflux disease, will most likely also cause pain higher in the esophagus, well above the level of the breastbone. Food may be regurgitated in some instances, and one's appetite will often decrease significantly. While heartburn seldom requires immediate medical attention, in fact an antacid pill or medication will usually ease the symptoms, the disorder should be looked into before actual damage to the stomach or esophagus occurs.
Two Types Of Angina - After heartburn, angina is the most frequent cause of breastbone pain. The pain associated with angina is due to the heart not receiving sufficient blood and oxygen. Usually felt in the chest in the area of the breastbone, angina can also at times be felt in the shoulder, shoulder blades, and in one or both arms. Angina most often happens under conditions of physical stress, such as exercise, running, or heavy manual labor. The pain usually subsides once the activity ceases, and may or may return if the activity is immediately taken up again. Angina is most apt to occur when a person has not warmed up sufficiently, the weather is cold, or one has had a stimulant such as caffeine shortly before. Although low-level or stable angina is not in itself necessarily dangerous, it is an indicator of a heart problem, and a harbinger of a possible future heart attack. Once a person begins to experience angina, medication may be prescribed to relieve the pain, and testing is usually done to check for possible blockage in one or more arteries.
A higher level of angina is called unstable angina. While the pain may be similar to stable angina, it is often more severe, and may be accompanied by shortness of breath and a sudden rise in blood pressure. There may also be a feeling of tightness in the chest. This is a serious situation as it almost always is a prelude to a heart attack. Any physical exertion should cease immediately and medical attention should be made the highest priority of the moment. Another characteristic of unstable angina is that rest does not always bring immediate relief, as is the case with stable angina.
Coronary Heart Disease - A general condition, related to both angina and to a heart attack is coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease, or CHD, is a narrowing of the arteries and blood vessels feeding the heart. When the heart is not getting the blood and oxygen it needs, usually due to an increase in demand by physical movement, breastbone pain can be experienced, similar to that caused by stable angina. The pain usually subsides as activity decreases. Although immediate medical attention is not normally necessary, a person suffering from CHD should be under the care of a physician.
Heart Attack - A heart attack is of course the most feared of the causes of breastbone pain, and of course is an emergency situation. Although heart attacks can be mild and in rare instances even come and go unnoticed, the opposite is most often the case. Not only is there breastbone pain but the entire chest may feel a crushing pain. Accompanying symptoms often include a drop in blood pressure, clamminess of the skin, and shortness of breath.
Pulmonary Embolus - The causes of pain outlined above are due to either a disorder of the digestive system or of the coronary system. One other cause of breastbone pain, which can at times constitute an emergency situation is a pulmonary embolus. This is a blockage of a major artery supplying the lung. The blockage may be something occurring over time, such as fatty deposits or a tumor, or something developing quickly, such as a blood clot. A pulmonary embolus may also cause pain to be felt in the rib cage and very often can make breathing, especially deep breathing difficult or very painful.
Breastbone pain is therefore not something to be ignored or taken lightly. Though not all causes mean an emergency situation exists, some do. It is wise to err on the side of concern rather than neglect, and seek medical attention quickly no matter what other symptoms may be experienced.