Symptoms of Discomfort: Identifying Triggers, Solutions, and When to Consult a Professional
Chest pain and dizziness can be distressing symptoms, often causing concern about potential heart-related issues. However, these symptoms can also be caused by a variety of non-cardiac conditions.
Pleurisy, the inflammation of the pleura, is one such condition. It can cause stabbing or sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breaths, shortness of breath, cough, fever, chills, unexplained weight loss, sore throat, swelling in the joints, and the pain can spread to the back or shoulder. Treatment for pleurisy typically involves a healthcare professional performing a procedure known as thoracentesis, which removes the fluid from the pleural space, and taking over-the-counter painkillers and cough syrups containing codeine.
Other causes of chest pain and dizziness can include problems with the aorta, myocarditis, arrhythmia, pulmonary embolism, tension pneumothorax, esophageal rupture, peptic ulcer perforation, and exercise injury. If a person has a heart condition, they may experience dizziness, chest pain, and other accompanying symptoms. Chest pain along with symptoms such as shortness of breath, feeling sick, pain that spreads to the arms, neck, jaw, or back, chest tightness, or pain that occurs with or without shortness of breath may indicate a heart attack.
Arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, heart valve problems, and pericarditis are heart conditions that can cause dizziness and chest pain. Chest infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis can also cause chest pain, cough, fever, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing up yellow or green mucus, aching muscles, fatigue, and loss of appetite, which can result in dizziness or lightheadedness. Treatment for chest infections usually involves rest, drinking lots of water, taking over-the-counter painkillers, raising the head when sleeping, and antibiotics if the cause is bacterial.
Anemia, a condition characterised by a low red blood cell count, can also cause chest pain, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, weakness, restless legs syndrome, headache, cold hands and feet, brittle nails, cracks at the side of the mouth, pale skin, swelling of the tongue, and swelling in the joints. Treatment for anemia typically depends on the type of anemia a person has and can include iron supplements, dietary changes, and other medical procedures.
Panic attacks, characterised by sudden feelings of fear or discomfort, can last between 5-20 minutes and can cause chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. The treatment for panic attacks is similar to that for anxiety. Exercise injury can result in sprains or strains, shortness of breath, joint pain, muscle spasms, and pain while breathing. Hyperventilation, a condition characterised by over-breathing, can cause dizziness or lightheadedness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Common causes of chest pain and dizziness include both cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. Cardiac causes such as heart attack, angina, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmias can produce chest pain accompanied by dizziness or fainting due to reduced blood flow to the brain and heart. Non-cardiac causes like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), acid reflux, lung infections, muscle strain, or panic attacks can cause chest pain and sometimes dizziness.
Immediate care is crucial if chest pain occurs with any of the following symptoms, as these may indicate a life-threatening cardiac event such as a heart attack: chest pain that is sudden, severe, or worsening gradually and lasts longer than 5 minutes; chest pain accompanied by dizziness, fainting, sudden collapse, or confusion; pain radiating to the arm, jaw, neck, or back; shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion; cold sweat, nausea, unexplained fatigue; no pulse or breathing (call emergency services and start CPR).
Because non-cardiac causes can mimic heart-related chest pain, anyone experiencing chest pain with dizziness should not self-diagnose or delay medical evaluation to rule out dangerous cardiac conditions. Chest pain alone, or with associated dizziness, warrants prompt assessment especially if the pain is persistent or accompanied by the above warning signs.
Treatment for conditions causing chest pain and dizziness varies depending on the specific condition. For example, treatment for pulmonary hypertension can include medications, oxygen therapy, and procedures to improve blood flow to the lungs. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy for people with anxiety.
In summary, chest pain with dizziness can stem from various causes but requires emergency medical attention if accompanied by severe, persistent, or associated symptoms indicative of heart attack or cardiac emergencies. If unsure, seeking immediate medical evaluation is the safest approach.
- Pleurisy, a condition that causes sharp chest pain and other symptoms like shortness of breath, requires treatment through a procedure called thoracentesis.
- Arrhythmia and pericarditis are heart conditions that can cause dizziness and chest pain.
- Chest infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis can lead to chest pain, cough, and dizziness.
- Anemia, characterized by a low red blood cell count, can cause chest pain, dizziness, and other symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue.
- Panic attacks, characterized by sudden feelings of fear or discomfort, can cause chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
- Exercise injury can result in chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms like joint pain, muscle spasms, and pain while breathing.
- Hyperventilation, a condition caused by over-breathing, can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
- If chest pain is accompanied by symptoms like severe persisting pain, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, or radiation to the arms, jaw, neck, or back, immediate medical attention is required as it may indicate a life-threatening cardiac event.
