A burning sensation in the chest area occurs for many reasons, but the most common of them is a hormonal imbalance in the female body. Painful sensations in the chest tissue can be a signal of dangerous changes occurring in it, so the situation should not be left unattended.
According to medical statistics, over 80% of patients aged 18 to 45 years complained that the mammary gland was “burning.” Regular burning in the chest is a signal to immediately contact a medical facility.
The mammary gland is one of the most variable organs, which changes its shape depending on the woman’s age. Deformation processes in the chest can lead to disruption of the mammary glands and the appearance of a burning sensation. They affect the glands and hormonal changes in the female body.
In addition to a burning sensation in the chest, lumps in the breast tissue, pain, and skin disorders may appear. Sometimes the chest “burns” so much that it is impossible to tolerate, the itching is accompanied by pain that radiates to the armpits, back and even shoulder blades.
If these symptoms appear, a woman should definitely visit a mammologist and consult. Even if the cause turns out to be a hormonal imbalance during menstruation, a preventive breast examination by a mammologist will definitely not be superfluous.
Burning in the chest
A woman can independently determine whether she experiences a cyclical burning sensation or not. Cyclic burning is accompanied by the following phenomena and sensations:
- The breast tissue becomes inflamed, as if “balls” appear in them.
- Menstrual irregularities.
- Both breasts are burning.
- The closer your period is, the stronger the discomfort.
- Most often, this symptom affects women close to menopause.
With non-cyclical burning, painful sensations occur suddenly, regardless of the menstrual cycle. The pain in the glands is severe, as if someone is squeezing them.
Hormonal surges are one of the main causes of burning in the chest tissue, but the symptom can also occur due to diseases of the organs responsible for the production of hormones. The mammary glands are very delicate organs that are susceptible to damage. An injury that a woman suffered six months ago may well lead to a burning sensation in the chest after this significant period of time has passed. 
Women with larger figures often complain that their breasts are “on fire.” Today, there are techniques for surgical reduction of the mammary glands that will prevent burning. Painful sensations in the chest can be caused by the use of various medications.
Breasts are “burning”: what to do?
The cause of pain in the mammary glands is most often hormonal: it is an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone in the body. In this regard, treatment is most often carried out using hormonal drugs.
You can often get rid of burning chest pain through lifestyle changes. Doctors advise women who experience this symptom to exercise and adjust their diet. When you have a burning sensation in your chest, you need to eat less fatty foods and foods that have a stimulating effect on the body. Such products include:
- Coffee.
- Strong tea.
- Chocolate.
- Alcohol.
Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will have a beneficial effect on your breasts and the burning may stop. An excellent way to combat the symptom is yoga.
If the sensations remain, you will have to use hormonal therapy. Doctors, after examining the woman, prescribe drugs with progesterone, taking into account the intensity of the burning sensation and the woman’s age. Taking these tablets is possible in the second part of the menstrual cycle. In addition, a woman may be prescribed medications containing estrogen and progesterone.
Oncology
A burning sensation in the chest may be a symptom of cancer. Warning signs in this case are also:
- Redness of the mammary gland when feeding the baby, increase in body temperature.
- The appearance of milk from the mammary glands in the absence of pregnancy and lactation.
- Bloody discharge from the nipple.
A woman needs to examine her breasts. Oncological neoplasms are compactions that do not roll under the fingers. The skin changes: small folds appear, the breast or nipple is deformed.
Mastopathy
One of the most characteristic causes of burning in the chest is mastopathy, leading to hormonal imbalance in the body, accompanied by a disruption in the body’s “production” of hormones. The female gland is the most sensitive indicator of hormonal changes.
Problems with menstruation or sex life, abortion or a viral infection will certainly affect the mammary gland. The first reaction to these changes is mastopathy.
Stress, constant nervous tension, worries, and family problems can lead to mastopathy. Sometimes it is enough to get rid of these negative factors so that mastopathy, and, accordingly, a burning sensation in the chest, stops bothering a woman.
For mastopathy, it is recommended to consume iodine: 1 tablespoon with a glass of milk three times a day after meals. Vitamins A, B and E also provide excellent support to the body.
When a woman suddenly feels as if her chest is on fire, and the reasons for this are unclear, it is always alarming and frightening. Let's figure out what can cause this condition and what to do correctly in this case.
Why does my chest hurt and burn?
There are several reasons why a burning sensation occurs, which a woman describes as “the chest is burning with fire.” Let's look at them in order:
- Since the mammary glands are a hormone-dependent organ, it is reasonable to assume that hormones, or rather their imbalance, are to blame. Feeling like your chest is on fire could be a result of PMS - premenstrual syndrome. If they are noticed at this time and they are repeated from cycle to cycle, it’s time to visit a gynecologist who will help cope with the problem.
- A burning sensation in the chest is characteristic of a disease such as mastopathy. It can occur both at the initial stage and during advanced disease. In addition to this sensation, there may be pain, a tingling feeling, and heaviness in the chest. A mild burning sensation in the nipple area and a halo may occur as a hormonal response to pregnancy. Already in the first weeks after conception, some women experience these unpleasant symptoms.
- Nursing mother when the baby is not properly attached to the breast often feels a short-term burning sensation in the nipples and inside the chest. This is a signal that the feeding process is not regulated and may require consultation with a breastfeeding specialist.
- Sometimes, under the burning sensation in the chest, there are heart problems or problems. It is not easy to understand this on your own, and you may need to consult several specialists for a correct diagnosis.
If the breasts feel hot to the touch, the skin is irritated, or pain is felt inside the mammary gland, cool lotions will be needed. They are made from plain water, constantly changing it to cooler water. Cabbage leaf helps a lot. It needs to be washed well, lightly beaten with a hammer to release the juice, and placed in a loose, soft bra.
These are only temporary measures to relieve discomfort. A woman should definitely visit a doctor as soon as possible in order to start treatment on time.
A burning sensation in the chest is a symptom that can significantly reduce the patient’s quality of life. Typically, patients describe a burning sensation in the chest as a burning sensation behind the sternum, in the left or right half of the chest, as if it were “baking” behind the sternum, a feeling of “heat” in the chest. A burning sensation in the chest can arise and disappear spontaneously, and can be provoked by physical activity, changes in body position, eating, or emotional stress. Determining the provoking factor is very important in differential diagnosis, since similar sensations can occur in various pathologies. In clinical practice, determining the cause of a burning sensation in the chest is one of the important tasks, since this symptom can mask life-threatening conditions.
Physiological causes of burning in the chest
There are many reasons that can provoke a burning sensation in the chest, the most common is a diet violation. If the diet is dominated by fatty, spicy, salty foods, carbonated drinks, fast food, if the rhythm and mode of eating is disturbed, there is overeating, eating before bed, then the contents of the stomach are refluxed into the esophagus, which causes a burning sensation in the chest. In addition to a burning sensation behind the sternum, nausea, heartburn, belching, bitterness in the mouth, bloating, and a dry cough that appears in a horizontal position may occur. In this situation, it will be enough to change the quality of the food you eat and adjust your diet. Excessive intake of coffee, alcohol, and smoking can also provoke a burning sensation.
Norm and pathology
With proper nutrition, a healthy person should not experience a burning sensation in the chest, and its appearance should alert the patient.
The mechanisms for the development of such sensations are diverse and depend on the cause, for example, with coronary heart disease, an imbalance occurs between the heart’s need for oxygen and the ability of the blood vessels to meet these needs.
In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, this is the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus and irritation of the mucous membrane.
There are neurological reasons when a burning sensation occurs in the chest due to damage to a nerve or root. Similar sensations can occur in mental disorders, neuroses, and neurosis-like conditions against the background of a traumatic situation.
Diseases of the respiratory tract can also cause a burning sensation in the chest when it comes to damage to the mucous membrane of the bronchi and trachea. With pneumonia and pleurisy, pain receptors in the pleura are irritated.
With pathology of large vessels (thoracic aorta), similar sensations may also occur. I would like to dwell in more detail on diseases that can cause a burning sensation in the chest and their differences.
Diseases that cause burning in the chest
Diseases of the cardiovascular system account for about 20% of complaints of burning in the chest. The most common cause in this group is coronary heart disease.
At angina pectoris There is a burning sensation behind the sternum, which can be combined with discomfort or pain in the chest, radiating to the jaw, interscapular area, left arm, left half of the chest. The burning sensation is provoked by physical or emotional stress, possibly by eating, and is accompanied by a feeling of fear of death, lasting up to 15 minutes. It is relieved when the influence of the provoking factor ceases, as well as when taking nitroglycerin.
In the case of unstable angina, the burning sensation and pain are more intense, there may not be a clear connection with the provoking factor, they occur at rest and there is a slight effect from taking nitroglycerin, in which case you need to call an ambulance.
The development of myocardial infarction can also cause a burning sensation in the chest, there may be discomfort or pain in the chest, it may be accompanied by a feeling of palpitations, interruptions in heart function, dizziness, general weakness, a feeling of fear of death, usually the sensations are not associated with physical activity and there is no effect from taking nitroglycerin, the duration of burning and pain is over 15-20 minutes. In such a situation, it is necessary to call an ambulance.
More rare but possible causes include myocarditis– inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). The burning sensation may be combined with pain. Pain and burning with myocarditis are not associated with physical activity or emotional stress, they are diffuse in nature, the pain and burning last for several hours, there is no positive effect from taking nitroglycerin. Also characteristic is the appearance of rhythm and conduction disturbances, general weakness, shortness of breath, skin rash, joint pain, a possible increase in body temperature above 37 degrees C, and swelling of the lower extremities.
Pericarditis(exudative and adhesive) is often combined with pain, pain and burning are localized in the left half of the chest, prolonged, there is no clear connection with the provoking factor, intensifies with changes in body position, with pressure on the anterior chest wall, there is no effect from taking nitroglycerin, pain are stabbing in nature. There may be an increase in body temperature above 37 degrees C, a gradual increase in shortness of breath, and the appearance of rhythm and conduction disturbances.
Diseases of large vessels, such as syphilitic aortitis, aortic aneurysm, are almost always accompanied by pain. The pain is aching in nature, there is no positive effect from nitroglycerin, and is not associated with physical activity.
The next group is pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, in which the contents of the stomach are refluxed into the esophagus. A burning sensation in this situation occurs after eating, intensifies in a horizontal position, a dry cough, belching, heartburn may occur, the burning sensation is localized behind the sternum, may be accompanied by pain from minor to pronounced, the effect of taking nitroglycerin may be minimal. There is a positive effect from taking antacid drugs (Almagel, Maalox, Rennie).
Very often in practice, it is impossible to distinguish gastroesophageal reflux disease from coronary heart disease (angina) based on clinical data alone, and additional examination methods are required.
Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts, liver, pancreas can also cause a burning sensation in the chest, a burning sensation can occur behind the sternum, in the upper abdomen, accompanied by pain, nausea, bitterness in the mouth, possibly bloating, unstable stool. A hiatal hernia, peptic ulcer, and gastritis can also cause a burning sensation behind the sternum. With pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, in addition to burning, pain in the upper half of the abdomen quite often occurs, belching, heartburn, nausea, burning and pain, usually associated with food intake, can be relieved by taking antacids or antispasmodics.
Respiratory tract diseases: tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy. Accompanied by a dry cough and increased body temperature. With pneumonia and pleurisy, there may be additional pain in the chest, aggravated by breathing, which is not associated with exercise; there is no effect from taking nitroglycerin and antacids.
At osteochondrosis It is also possible to experience a burning sensation, itching and pain in the chest. Such sensations are clearly associated with movement in the thoracic spine; they can intensify with a deep breath; as a rule, the affected nerve or its branch can be identified by palpation. There is no effect from taking nitroglycerin or antacids.
Psychogenic burning sensations observed in patients against the background of a traumatic situation, or during emotional stress. In this case, irritability, increased anxiety, insomnia, a feeling of weakness, and a feeling of fatigue are also noted. Palpation of the chest is painless and does not cause discomfort; there is no effect from nitroglycerin, antispasmodics, or antacids.
Symptomatic treatment of burning sensation in the chest
Given the many causes of a burning sensation in the chest, there is no symptomatic therapy. It is necessary to determine the disease or group of diseases that cause this symptom. Based on your complaints, the doctor can assume which system is affected, prescribe an additional examination, and only after that the appropriate treatment will be prescribed.
Let's consider symptomatic therapy for groups of diseases. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that only symptomatic therapy is considered, which removes the symptom of the disease, but does not treat the cause.
In case of coronary heart disease (angina pectoris), the main symptomatic drug is nitroglycerin; at the same time, the main course of treatment is corrected so that the need for additional intake of organic nitrates is minimal or completely absent; surgical treatment may be required. In the event of the development of unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction, treatment is provided in specialized cardiology departments in intensive care units.
For myocarditis and pericarditis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen) are prescribed.
For pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, the main symptomatic drugs are antacids (magnesium and calcium carbonate (rennie), aluminum phosphate (phosphalugel), algeldrat and magnesium hydroxide (almagel, maalox), maalox), antispasmodics (drotaverine (no-shpa), papaverine, mebeverine (duspatalin).
For diseases of the respiratory system, antiviral, antibacterial drugs, and respiratory therapy (inhalation with saline) are prescribed to relieve symptoms.
For osteochondrosis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nimesulide, meloxicam), muscle relaxants (tolperisone (mydocalm)) are prescribed.
If psychogenic symptoms develop, antidepressants are prescribed.
Which doctor should I contact if I have a burning sensation in my chest?
If you experience a burning sensation in your chest while eating normally, you should consult a doctor. If, in addition to the burning sensation, there is pain that occurs or intensifies during physical activity, is accompanied by a feeling of fear of death, radiates to the left half of the chest, arm, jaw, there are sensations of interruptions in the functioning of the heart, the heartbeat is bothersome, the burning sensation is relieved by taking nitroglycerin, then you should consult a cardiologist as possible earlier.
If the burning sensation is intense, does not disappear after taking nitroglycerin, and is accompanied by pain, then it is necessary to call an ambulance.
In other cases, you should consult a general practitioner for a routine examination. The doctor will prescribe the entire necessary examination based on your complaints, after which you may need to consult a cardiologist, neurologist, gastroenterologist, or psychotherapist.
What tests will you need to take?
As a rule, the minimum scope of examination includes:
Clinical blood test (to exclude an infectious process, inflammatory non-infectious diseases).
General urine test (to determine kidney function).
Determination of the level of diastase in urine (if pancreatic pathology is suspected).
Biochemical blood test (transaminases, bilirubin - assessment of liver condition, creatinine, electrolytes - to assess kidney function, exclude electrolyte disturbances, glucose level, amylase to assess pancreatic function, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein to clarify the presence of an inflammatory process and the degree inflammatory activity).
General sputum analysis in the presence of a productive cough.
An electrocardiogram is required to assess the heart rate, the correctness of the rhythm, the presence of ischemic changes, as well as the possible causes of a burning sensation in the chest.
A survey X-ray of the chest organs to assess the size of the heart, the condition of the lung tissue, and the condition of the pleural cavities.
Daily electrocardiogram monitoring is required to identify episodes of myocardial ischemia and determine the connection with a burning sensation in the chest.
Performing echocardiography (ECHO-CS), which is necessary to assess structural and functional changes in the heart (condition of valves, cardiac muscle, pericardium, pulmonary artery diameter, pressure in the pulmonary artery, heart tumors, etc.).
Fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy is performed to identify the presence of pathology of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
To exclude a hiatal hernia, an X-ray examination of the esophagus and stomach is performed.
Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs - to assess the condition of the liver, gall bladder, biliary tract, pancreas.
PH – metry for the purpose of diagnosing acid-related diseases.
After performing a standard examination, additional studies may be required based on the specific clinical situation.
In conclusion, I would like to note that a burning sensation in the chest is a symptom of many diseases, which, with correct diagnosis and correctly selected therapy, respond well to treatment. You should not self-medicate and waste time; go to see a doctor, where they will help you deal with the problem that has arisen.
Doctor Chuguntseva M.A.
Update: October 2018
Symptoms such as pain and burning in the chest are quite frightening. After all, we all know that the heart is located there, whose diseases are dangerous. But there are other organs there: large vessels, lungs, esophagus. In addition, the walls of the chest are made of bones, muscles and ligaments, and in women on top there are mammary glands richly penetrated with nerve fibers. All these organs can hurt.
To differentiate “terrible” pain from “non-terrible” pain, we propose the following algorithm: first we determine where it hurts, then we focus on additional symptoms. Some conditions require ambulance transportation, while others require specialists from a local clinic.
Hurts on the right
Pain syndrome localized in the right side of the chest usually makes itself felt:
Diseases of the liver and biliary tract
In this case, the pain is usually:
- dull;
- paroxysmal;
- does not depend on body movement;
- radiates to the shoulder blade, half of the neck, arm - on the right;
- has a connection with the food taken: it intensifies when eating fatty and fried foods, which is why there is often an aversion to such dishes.
Other gastrointestinal diseases
Gastritis, ulcers of the upper digestive tract, and intestinal colic can also manifest as pain or a burning sensation in the right side of the chest, but are more often localized on the left or directly behind the sternum. These pathologies are associated with food intake. Let's look at these in more detail in the section on pain in the rest of the chest.
Intercostal neuralgia
This is the name of the condition when the nerves going to the intercostal muscles (they are the ones who “control” breathing) become inflamed or pinched. The most common cause of the disease is caused by a virus. In this case, a rash in the form of blisters in one or more intercostal spaces is added to the symptoms listed below.
The disease manifests itself as pain behind the sternum or elsewhere in the heart region, interruptions in the functioning of this muscular organ, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs. Such symptoms may periodically regress and then recur.
Pain/burning associated with eating
This is how pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract manifest themselves: esophagitis, foreign bodies in the esophagus, esophageal cancer, gastritis, pancreatitis, intestinal colic. Each disease has its own characteristic symptoms.
Thus, when the esophagus is damaged, pain in the middle of the chest occurs precisely when swallowing.
Inflammation of the stomach makes itself felt by pain that develops after eating, located just below the chest. Suffering from the duodenum, on the contrary, is a pain syndrome that develops on an empty stomach. Pancreatitis and intestinal colic react with pain 1-1.5 hours after eating. The pain syndrome due to inflammation of the intestines and pancreas is also localized just below the costal arch.
If it burns behind the sternum after taking a horizontal position
A severe burning sensation behind the sternum, which appears after a person has eaten for half an hour before and then decides to lie down, is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux, that is, the reflux of food (water) from the stomach into the esophagus (see). Apart from a retrosternal burning sensation, the person has no loss of appetite, no fever, no weakness. Only gradually increases, he begins to periodically “cough” with a dry cough. If a tumor begins to grow in the esophagus, “burned” by acid, a constant lump appears in the throat, and the passage of first solid and then liquid food is disrupted.
Pain associated with breathing
Similarly, in the left side of the chest, pathologies of organs appear, whose membranes come into contact with the inside of the ribs. This is inflammation of the heart sac, pleura, the presence of free air in the pleural cavity. The same symptom will be accompanied by intercostal neuralgia, described earlier.
Pericarditis
This disease has two subtypes:
- Dry pericarditis when the outer lining of the heart (its “bag”) is inflamed, but it does not secrete inflammatory fluid. The disease manifests itself with weakness, cough, and pain in the heart area is constant, dull, and intensifies with deep breathing, swallowing and coughing. The pain relieves a little when taking a sitting position, but intensifies when lying down.
- Exudative pericarditis– inflammation of the heart sac, in which it secretes inflammatory fluid (exudate). It accumulates inside her and, in the case of a large amount, can compress the heart and the large vessels coming out of it. The disease manifests itself as diffuse compressive pain in the heart area, shortness of breath, fever, hiccups, and the sensation of a lump in the esophagus when swallowing solid food.
Pleurisy
Inflammation of the two-layer “cover” for the lung, like pericarditis, can be dry and effusion. The symptoms of these subspecies are different. The disease occurs only as a complication: either pneumonia, or cancer, or a manifestation.
Dry left-sided pleurisy will be manifested by stabbing pain in the left side of the chest, radiating to the hypochondrium and abdomen. It intensifies if a person coughs, breathes deeply, and also turns his entire body. It becomes easier if you lie on your sore side.
If pleurisy is exudative in nature, that is, inflammatory fluid appears between the two layers of the “cover,” the symptoms are different. A person feels a dull pain in the chest that intensifies when breathing (described by the word “heaviness”), shortness of breath increases, weakness is noted, the temperature rises to high levels, sweating, and a feeling of lack of air.
Pain behind the sternum or on the left side of the chest, not associated with anything
- Mitral valve prolapse and atrial fibrillation- may manifest as chest pain. In both cases, the pain is not pronounced, there is no visible connection with breathing, body position, or work performed. Atrial fibrillation requires prompt diagnosis and treatment, as it is a life-threatening condition.
- Diseases of the aorta and pulmonary artery- Diseases of large vessels passing through the chest cavity can manifest themselves in a similar way.
- Aortic dissection– an extremely life-threatening condition requiring emergency assistance, manifested by severe, tearing pain in the middle of the chest or with pain shifted to the left side.
- Pulmonary embolism, if it leaves the person conscious, may present with severe chest pain that does not respond to nitroglycerin. In addition, there is shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air, a cough when “rusty” sputum comes out.
- Oncology:
- Malignant neoplasms of the mediastinal organs- dull, pressing pain not associated with breathing, which increases very gradually; a tumor of one of the organs of the chest cavity may appear. This could be pleura, bronchi, myxedema of the heart, metastases to the lymph nodes located in the mediastinum.
- Tumor in the left breast, if it has grown into the chest, it will also manifest itself as pain. In this case, the gland should be deformed, a seal may be detected in it, fused with the tissues, and there may be discharge from the nipples (see).
Treatment of chest pain
We have described many diseases as causes of the symptom, each of which is treated in its own way. Therefore, before starting treatment, you need to establish a diagnosis. Doctors will help with this: a therapist, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist, surgeon, oncologist or psychiatrist. Our advice is:
- When the pain is in the left side or middle of the chest, stop and rest. If this helps, go to the pharmacy and buy Nitroglycerin - you will need it for such situations. Get an ECG and be sure to see a therapist or cardiologist.
- If it becomes difficult to breathe along with the pain, call an ambulance.
- When the pain occurs on the left or in the middle, it is severe, open the window, take a semi-sitting position, take Nitroglycerin. If it is not there or it did not help, call an ambulance, but in the meantime, drink (chew) 1-2 tablets of Aspirin (Aspekarda, Aspetera, Cardiomagnyl) in a total dose of up to 300 mg.
- If the pain is more likely in the mammary gland, associated with menstruation or nipple discharge (even in men), you need to visit a mammologist. Such specialists either conduct private consultations or work in local Oncology dispensaries.
- When the pain syndrome is associated with a cough, an X-ray of the lungs or a computed tomography scan is needed, after which a therapist is first visited, who will recommend where to go next - to a pulmonologist, oncologist, gastroenterologist or surgeon.
- If you become less able to tolerate physical activity after an infectious disease, urgently contact a cardiologist. You can do and undergo an ultrasound of the heart on the same day, before the doctor.
- Intense, bursting pain despite the fact that nothing bothered you during physical activity before is a reason to call an ambulance and report a suspicion of a thoracic aortic aneurysm.
In any case, do not take any painkillers before you see your doctor - this will make it more difficult for him to help you. Eat more fresh vegetables and less meat, walk at least 2 km every day at least at a slow pace and be healthy!
The occurrence of a burning sensation in the chest area may indicate a disease of the internal organs; in order to accurately determine which organ is giving an alarm signal, it is necessary to study in more detail all possible causes. When this symptom occurs, the patient may develop a feeling of fear, since an unpleasant sensation in the chest can warn of the presence of cardiovascular disease.
Burning and other painful sensations can be caused by various diseases. For example, such sensations can occur due to an attack of angina pectoris or, much worse, during a myocardial infarction. Therefore, a person should be extremely careful if pain in the chest is felt immediately after suffering stress or intense physical activity.
| Disease | Brief description of symptoms |
|---|---|
| Myocardial infarction | One of the most dangerous diseases is myocardial infarction. To recognize it at the first manifestations, you should know exactly about the symptoms. The primary symptom is very severe pain behind the sternum, which becomes burning, pressing, squeezing, and sometimes even unbearable. After taking Nitroglycerin, there is no improvement in well-being. Duration of pain more than 20 minutes. This attack most often occurs when the patient does not expect it - at night or early in the morning. |
| Ailments of housing and communal services | If the patient feels a burning sensation in the chest and/or in the epigastric region, then the presence of a gastrointestinal tract disease can be suspected. In this case, the pain is usually associated with food intake or errors in diet. Decreases after taking antacids. |
| Respiratory diseases | When a problem occurs with the lungs, a person may feel either sudden, severe pain in the chest area, or gradually increasing pain. Unpleasant burning sensations or pain can occur even with minor physical activity, and can also intensify with breathing and coughing. |
| Angina pectoris | The pain syndrome will be severe. A person can feel a burning sensation during emotional stress or physical activity. The pain is characterized by distension, burning, and pressure behind the sternum. Irradiation of pain: left shoulder blade, shoulder, lower jaw. Such attacks last less than 20 minutes and are stopped by taking Nitroglycerin. |
| Osteochondrosis | If a person develops this disease in the cervical or thoracic spine, the pain can radiate to the chest. It is noteworthy that the intensity of pain will depend on the stage of the disease and physical activity. |
| Illnesses of a psycho-emotional nature | After suffering severe stress or in the presence of a mental illness, a person may feel pain and a burning sensation in the chest. In this case, an examination by a psychotherapist will be required. |
Carefully! Each of the above ailments is life-threatening, so if a burning sensation appears behind the sternum, you should immediately call an ambulance. For example, an attack accompanied by pain in the chest during a heart attack lasts more than 20 minutes and, in the absence of qualified assistance, can lead to death.
Additional symptoms and chest burning
When pain occurs in the chest on the left, we can talk about left-sided pneumonia. In this case, several more symptoms are added to the burning sensation - cough, shortness of breath and high temperature. The exact diagnosis is determined by the doctor after special examinations. When a pronounced burning sensation is observed in the center of the chest, the patient most likely has influenza complicated by bronchitis.
A burning sensation, which is localized behind the sternum and accompanied by a sour belch, confirms the presence heartburn. Also, pain on the left or in the center of the chest will be observed when vegetative-vascular dystonia. The symptom occurs, in this case, after overwork. To diagnose an attack of VSD, you should pay attention to symptoms such as a high level of sweating, redness or paleness of the skin, and a person begins to feel feverish.
Attention! A symptom such as a burning sensation in the chest cannot be ignored and muffled with analgesics, since this sign may indicate a threat to life. After manifestations of a painful syndrome, it is imperative to undergo diagnostics of the body.
Carefully! Acute conditions and burning in the chest
As already mentioned, pain can occur with dangerous diseases such as heart attack, myocarditis and angina. To understand which of the ailments has made itself felt, you need to familiarize yourself with the additional symptoms of attacks.
- Myocardial infarction. It is characterized by substernal pain of a pressing, burning, squeezing or bursting nature, radiating to the left arm, neck, lower jaw, left scapula or interscapular space. It is not relieved by taking nitroglycerin. There may also be atypical symptoms: heaviness, discomfort behind the sternum, pain in the chest of another location, heaviness, discomfort or pain in the epigastric region, shortness of breath. Such atypical complaints occur in 30% of cases and are more often presented by women, elderly patients, patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure or dementia. An attack of pain may be accompanied by agitation, a feeling of fear, restlessness, sweating, dyspepsia, hypotension, shortness of breath, weakness and even fainting.
- Myocarditis. This is a heart disease, which implies a focal or diffuse inflammatory process in the myocardium. This disease develops against the background of an infectious disease, allergic reactions or toxic damage to the heart. In addition to the main symptom - pain in the chest, including burning pain, the patient experiences shortness of breath, interruptions in heart rhythm, tachycardia, decreased blood pressure, and severe weakness.
- Angina pectoris. Pain behind the sternum or along the left edge of the sternum is paroxysmal, discomfort or pressing, squeezing, deep dull pain. The attack can be described as tightness, heaviness, lack of air. Associated with physical and emotional stress. It radiates to the neck, lower jaw, teeth, interscapular space, and less often to the elbow or wrist joints, mastoid processes. The pain lasts from 1-15 minutes (2-5 minutes). It is relieved by taking Nitroglycerin and stopping the load.
If the burning and soreness is associated with breathing
Most of the chest is occupied by paired organs - the lungs. Therefore, the occurrence of a burning sensation may be due to inflammation of the lungs or the development of pathological processes in them. The pain usually gets worse with breathing, coughing, or physical activity.
More details about inflammation of the membranes that lead to burning in the chest
| Shell name | Short description |
|---|---|
| Pleurisy | A pathology that develops against the background of other ailments, for example, tuberculosis. The patient complains of stabbing pain, which disappears when lying down |
| Pericarditis | This pathology affects the outer lining of the heart. In this case, the pathological process may be: Dry (that is, there is no release of any liquid); The dry form of pericarditis is characterized by pain in the heart area and cough. But, if exudate is released, it can put pressure on the heart, which causes a burning sensation |
Note! A burning sensation can occur against the background of respiratory tract diseases and cardiac pathologies. Timely diagnosis is important.
How is the diagnosis carried out?
It should be recognized that the same symptom can warn of completely different diseases. If ARVI diseases and influenza can be cured and thereby eliminate the painful symptom, then oncological diseases and heart attacks require a quick response and correct treatment tactics. Therefore, if alarming symptoms appear, it is important to go for a diagnosis.
- basic diagnostics includes the collection of material for detailed research. The basic complex also includes radiography, fluorography, ultrasound, and electrocardiogram. The listed examinations are carried out to find out the exact cause of a burning sensation in the chest area. If doubt arises, the patient may be sent for special diagnostics;
- special diagnostics includes tomography (computer, magnetic) and fibrogastroscopy.
The final diagnosis is made by the doctor, after which, taking into account individual indicators, he determines the course of therapy. Based on the results of diagnostic procedures, the patient is sent to a specific specialist (oncologist, pulmonologist, therapist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist).
Attention! Before the patient goes to a medical institution, he must independently try to assess the situation and, if necessary, provide himself with pre-medical care.
Actions for burning in the chest
When unpleasant symptoms occur in the heart, lungs or stomach, it is necessary to call an ambulance as quickly as possible. You cannot relieve pain on your own and endure it if:
- A sudden sharp pain occurs in the chest area, a paroxysmal cough occurs and the patient loses consciousness.
- In case of a burning sensation that radiates to the shoulder, jaw or shoulder blade.
- If the pain does not subside on its own after resting for fifteen minutes.
- When symptoms such as an accelerated heart rate, increased sweating, vomiting are observed, which are complemented by a strong burning sensation in the chest.
How to help yourself?
In any case, if a person feels squeezing, squeezing, or a burning sensation in the middle of the sternum, then the help of a doctor is needed, so you should call an ambulance. Before the team arrives, you can try to eliminate the unpleasant symptom yourself, and to do this, follow these steps:
- If the pain occurs immediately after eating, then the person is advised to lie down quickly and not overload himself with physical activity. Depending on the level of acidity in the stomach, you can drink a weak soda solution, which will soothe heartburn;
- in case of stress, you should try to calm yourself down with the help of breathing exercises (long inhalation and quick exhalation), then take a comfortable position and relax;
- do not self-medicate in case of heart ailments and respiratory diseases, because this will only worsen the clinical picture.
Note! A herbal decoction (chamomile and sage) will help temporarily relieve the burning sensation. But, in no case should you ignore the main cause of chest burning.
A highly qualified doctor will talk about chest pain and heart pain in a video.
Video - Heart pain and chest pain
What does a doctor do?
- The first thing the specialist does is study the anamnesis (cardiovascular diseases) of close relatives.
- Finds out additional symptoms.
- Inquires about taking any medications.
- Conducts a detailed inspection to rule out other underlying causes.
- Sends the patient for an ECG examination.
- Conducts a test to determine the body's response to physical activity.
- Recommends undergoing examination of the gastrointestinal tract and angiography.
Preventive actions
For prevention purposes, it is recommended to do exercises daily, but in no case should you start exercising with heavy physical activity. The exercise program must be agreed upon with a physical therapy trainer. Also, the patient should be within his optimal weight and monitor cholesterol levels, take preventive measures against atherosclerosis and hypertension. At the same time, if a person suffers from diabetes, sugar level control should be in the first place. Once every six months you should conduct a full examination of the body, and if a burning sensation occurs, immediately consult a doctor or call an ambulance.
Video - How to find out what hurts behind the sternum
