chest tightness
Squeezing heart area
Chest tightness is a sensation of pressure, constriction, or squeezing in the chest.
It may accompany anxiety, asthma, heartburn, or cardiac problems.
The feeling ranges from mild discomfort to alarming tightness that prompts emergency visits: I went to the ER with chest tightness, but it turned out to be a panic attack.
Chronic lung inflammation
- bronchitisInflamed airway disease
- pneumoniaInfected, inflamed lung tissue
- COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- pleurisyInflamed lung membrane
pulmonary embolism · bronchospasm · wheezing · shortness of breath · inhaler · coughing · respiratory infection · dyspnea
Tightening or narrowing action
- pressureForce upon contact
- heavinessState of being weighty
- squeezingPressing inward firmly
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
compression · suffocation · binding · oppression · aching · gripping · restriction · clenching
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
apprehension · nervousness · worry · restlessness · agitation · overwhelm · unease · edginess
Ischemic chest discomfort
- heart attackBlocked blood to muscle
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
- cardiomyopathyHeart muscle disorder
myocarditis · pericarditis · coronary artery disease · heart failure · atrial fibrillation · hypertension · ischemia · nitroglycerin
Stretched or strained state
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- pressureForce upon contact
- strainExcessive stretching force
fatigue · workload · exhaustion · deadline · cortisol · psychosomatic · relaxation · deep breathing
Torn or overstretched fibers
- rib injuryHarm to chest bones
- intercostalBetween the ribs
- postureBody position, alignment
- inflammationProtective tissue response
soreness · tenderness · sternum · overexertion · lifting · stretching
Chronic digestive disorder
- acid refluxStomach contents reversing course
- heartburnGastric acid irritation
- hiatal herniaStomach entering chest cavity
- indigestionPainful stomach after meals
asthma
Chronic lung inflammation
- bronchitisInflamed airway disease
- pneumoniaInfected, inflamed lung tissue
- COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
pleurisy · pulmonary embolism · bronchospasm · wheezing · shortness of breath · inhaler · coughing · respiratory infection · dyspnea · oxygen
constriction
Tightening or narrowing action
crushing · compression · suffocation · binding · oppression · aching · gripping · restriction · clenching · weight
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
dread · apprehension · nervousness · worry · restlessness · agitation · overwhelm · unease · edginess · jitters
angina
Ischemic chest discomfort
- heart attackBlocked blood to muscle
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
cardiomyopathy · myocarditis · pericarditis · coronary artery disease · heart failure · atrial fibrillation · hypertension · ischemia · nitroglycerin · ECG
tension
Stretched or strained state
strain · fatigue · workload · exhaustion · deadline · cortisol · psychosomatic · relaxation · deep breathing · meditation
muscle strain
Torn or overstretched fibers
- rib injuryHarm to chest bones
- intercostalBetween the ribs
- postureBody position, alignment
inflammation · soreness · tenderness · sternum · overexertion · lifting · stretching
GERD
Chronic digestive disorder
- acid refluxStomach contents reversing course
- heartburnGastric acid irritation
- hiatal herniaStomach entering chest cavity
indigestion · gastritis · bloating · antacids · regurgitation
- Chest Conditionspneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, lung cancer
- allergy symptomshives, sneezing, itching, rash, swelling
- body responsesfight, flight, shivering, freeze, goosebumps
- body stressmuscle tension, soreness, stiffness, strain, aches
- illness symptomsfever, chills, aches, headache, cough
- Respiratory Problemsasthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, emphysema