Chest Pain - Trigger Points or a More Serious Underlying Cause?

Chest and arm pain may be the symptoms of a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention - but the underlying cause may also be trigger points in the pecs

Chest or Breast pain can be extremely worrying and there are indeed some types of chest pain that should signal an immediate trip to thee emergency room.

If you do experience pressure, discomfort or pain in the central of your chest or in the arms, back, jaw, neck or abdomen — possibly accompanied with a cold sweat, a feeling of nausea, sudden fatigue, light headedness or a shortness of breath, and this last for at least 5 minutes — you should be calling for an ambulance or getting yourself to the emergency room for a check.

These symptoms may be a sign of a myocardial infarction or heart attack. If so, fast intervention and treatment could be essential to save heart muscle.

The good news is that whilst Millions of people with chest pain are admitted as emergency cases every year, only 1 in 5 of these folk are actually diagnosed with a heart attack or an episode of unstable angina - a strong warning that a heart attack may soon occur.

Other Causes

In a smaller number of cases, chest pain could signify other potentially life-threatening problem, such as a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or a tear in the inner layer of the aorta (aortic dissection).

In some cases chest pain is caused by regular angina. This condition occurs when a part of the heart isn't receiving sufficient oxygen-rich blood required during periods of physical exertion or emotional stress.

Trigger Points

In a large number of cases, trigger points in the pectoralis major muscle may the cause. 

These trigger points may typically cause pain and painful symptoms that can mimic quite closely some of the symptoms often associated with heart failure such as pain in the centre of the chest and diffuse pain through the shoulder and down the arm.

Caution

Only once correct medical advice has been sought to ensure the absence of any serious underlying conditions, should you then proceed to investigate the presence and of trigger points.

Please see the video above for more information regarding chest pain and trigger points, and when to visit a trigger point therapist.