Most of the time, tightness or pressure in the chest can cause an alarm mistakenly, as we assume that it must have a relation with some cardiac problems. This can be related to non-cardiac problems as well. Like problems in chest muscles or nerves can give rise to tightness in chest. It can arise due to psychological problems as well. Therefore, knowledge of the causes behind the tightness chest is necessary to keep the fear at bay.
Causes and Treatment of Tightness in the Chest
Here, we are going to address the common causes that can show tightness in chest as a symptom, and the treatment options available. They are as follows:
Heart Attack: This is the most serious cause of chest tightness. It is felt at the center of the chest. It is accompanied by a dull chest acheheart attack are excessive sweating, hyperventilation, fatigues etc. This requires an emergency medical intervention.
Angina: This is a condition where the cause behind the tightness of chest is insufficient supply of oxygen or blood to the heart. Angina is considered as a preliminary stage of certain serious health problems like heart disease, heart attack, stroke etc. Most of the time, it happens because the veins get clogged up with fatty deposits or cholesterol. It should not be ignored and doctor need to be consulted. The diet of the patient of angina should be low in fat content and rich in fiber. Exercise also helps in lowering the cholesterol levels.
Digestive Problems: This gives tightness in chest after eating. Tightness in chest due to indigestion often cause panic among people. This is because the pain associated with tightness in chest caused by digestive problems tend to move up to the upper part of the back and arms as in the case of a heart attack. However, you can distinguish from the fact that indigestion gives a feeling that something got stick inside the chest. Moreover, belching, gas or bile are other symptoms of indigestion. Medicines should be taken to treat the gastrointestinal problems in order to get rid of tightness in chest. Read more on digestive health.
Sleep Disorder: Sleep paralysis and sleep apnea are the two most common forms sleep disorders that can give tightness in chest while sleeping. In sleep paralysis, one may wake up in the middle of the night and feel the sensation of tightness in chest. It is accompanied by a sense of fear and is inability to move the body. It is a harmless condition and does not require any treatment. Sleep apnea is a condition where the patient does not breath for some period of time during sleeping due to blockage in the nasal passage. It is caused because of obesity or deformed bone structure. Then they wake up suddenly and find tightness in chest and shortness of breath. This kind of sleep disturbance if experienced quite frequently then doctor need to be consulted. They prescribe medicines to keep the symptoms in check. However, there is no permanent cure for this problem.
Panic Attack: This happens when the mind is under a lot of stress. As a result, the muscles in the chest region are under a lot of pressure which makes them weak and cause tautness. It leads to tightness in chest and throat. Along with tightness in chest, it give increase in heart beat, shaking of the body, perspiration, restlessness are the most commonly observed symptoms of panic attack. These symptoms give one the feeling that he or she is suffering from heart attack. But what makes it different from the heart attack is that it does not give the radiating pain that one experience while suffering from heart attack. Moreover, the symptoms of panic attack continue throughout the day constantly whereas the hear attack symptoms start all of a sudden. Treatment for panic attacks involves medicines as well as therapeutic techniques.
Other Causes: Asthma attack can cause tightness in chest when taking deep breath. It cause inflammation in the respiratory tract and makes the breathing passage narrow. Trouble in breathing and wheezing are the other symptoms of asthma. Allergies and pneumonia
If you experience tightness in chest, the first thing that you should do is not to be anxious. It is not good for your health as it can make the symptoms more severe. Since the matter could be s which moves to other parts like the shoulders, necks, arms and even in the jaws. Other signs of can also cause similar condition. Any kind of injury in the chest area can give the sensation of tightness. Due to some reasons if some nerves in the chest muscles get trapped, it can result in tight feeling in the chest. Asthma attack needs immediate medical treatment. In other cases, suitable medicines are prescribed to treat the underlying cause.
By Bidisha Mukherjee
Causes and Treatment of Tightness in the Chest
Here, we are going to address the common causes that can show tightness in chest as a symptom, and the treatment options available. They are as follows:
Heart Attack: This is the most serious cause of chest tightness. It is felt at the center of the chest. It is accompanied by a dull chest acheheart attack are excessive sweating, hyperventilation, fatigues etc. This requires an emergency medical intervention.
Angina: This is a condition where the cause behind the tightness of chest is insufficient supply of oxygen or blood to the heart. Angina is considered as a preliminary stage of certain serious health problems like heart disease, heart attack, stroke etc. Most of the time, it happens because the veins get clogged up with fatty deposits or cholesterol. It should not be ignored and doctor need to be consulted. The diet of the patient of angina should be low in fat content and rich in fiber. Exercise also helps in lowering the cholesterol levels.
Digestive Problems: This gives tightness in chest after eating. Tightness in chest due to indigestion often cause panic among people. This is because the pain associated with tightness in chest caused by digestive problems tend to move up to the upper part of the back and arms as in the case of a heart attack. However, you can distinguish from the fact that indigestion gives a feeling that something got stick inside the chest. Moreover, belching, gas or bile are other symptoms of indigestion. Medicines should be taken to treat the gastrointestinal problems in order to get rid of tightness in chest. Read more on digestive health.
Sleep Disorder: Sleep paralysis and sleep apnea are the two most common forms sleep disorders that can give tightness in chest while sleeping. In sleep paralysis, one may wake up in the middle of the night and feel the sensation of tightness in chest. It is accompanied by a sense of fear and is inability to move the body. It is a harmless condition and does not require any treatment. Sleep apnea is a condition where the patient does not breath for some period of time during sleeping due to blockage in the nasal passage. It is caused because of obesity or deformed bone structure. Then they wake up suddenly and find tightness in chest and shortness of breath. This kind of sleep disturbance if experienced quite frequently then doctor need to be consulted. They prescribe medicines to keep the symptoms in check. However, there is no permanent cure for this problem.
Panic Attack: This happens when the mind is under a lot of stress. As a result, the muscles in the chest region are under a lot of pressure which makes them weak and cause tautness. It leads to tightness in chest and throat. Along with tightness in chest, it give increase in heart beat, shaking of the body, perspiration, restlessness are the most commonly observed symptoms of panic attack. These symptoms give one the feeling that he or she is suffering from heart attack. But what makes it different from the heart attack is that it does not give the radiating pain that one experience while suffering from heart attack. Moreover, the symptoms of panic attack continue throughout the day constantly whereas the hear attack symptoms start all of a sudden. Treatment for panic attacks involves medicines as well as therapeutic techniques.
Other Causes: Asthma attack can cause tightness in chest when taking deep breath. It cause inflammation in the respiratory tract and makes the breathing passage narrow. Trouble in breathing and wheezing are the other symptoms of asthma. Allergies and pneumonia
If you experience tightness in chest, the first thing that you should do is not to be anxious. It is not good for your health as it can make the symptoms more severe. Since the matter could be s which moves to other parts like the shoulders, necks, arms and even in the jaws. Other signs of can also cause similar condition. Any kind of injury in the chest area can give the sensation of tightness. Due to some reasons if some nerves in the chest muscles get trapped, it can result in tight feeling in the chest. Asthma attack needs immediate medical treatment. In other cases, suitable medicines are prescribed to treat the underlying cause.
By Bidisha Mukherjee
Lillo 
