Pressure on the chest causes and therapy of chest pressures

Causes and treatment methods with a feeling of pressure in the chest

The feeling of pressure on the chest immediately triggers the idea of ​​a heart attack in many people. While this may indeed be the cause of the uncomfortable, oppressive sensation in the ribcage, many other (harmless) illnesses are also considered that may be responsible for the symptoms. So the psyche is often the trigger, for example, in anxiety, stress or depression. Muscle tension and blockages of the vertebrae also often lead to a feeling of pressure in the chest. However, if additional symptoms are added, such as shortness of breath, dizziness or sudden severe pain, the emergency doctor should be contacted immediately. For then both serious cardiovascular diseases and problems with the lungs can cause a life-threatening condition of the patient.

contents

• Causes and treatment methods with a feeling of pressure in the chest
• Causes of pressure on the ribcage
• Pressure sensation in the chest for colds and other respiratory diseases
• Pressure on the chest with shortness of breath
• Pressure on the chest as an alarm signal in the case of a heart attack
• Pressure sensation in the chest during cardiovascular diseases
• Pressure on the chest in diseases of the lungs
• Pressure in the chest due to discomfort of the esophagus and the gastrointestinal tract
• Breast presses in case of musculoskeletal complaints
• Tension and pressure on the chest due to mental problems
• Treatment of the feeling of pressure in the chest
• Home remedies to relieve the pressure on the chest
• Naturopathy to relieve the feeling of pressure in the chest

Causes of pressure on the ribcage

The symptom "pressure on the chest" can have different causes. The origins of organic complaints include the heart, lungs and esophagus. But problems with the back or stomach can trigger a feeling of pressure in the chest. There are also psychological causes such as anxiety or stress. Those affected often report an oppressive sensation in the chest, which can trigger veritable panic attacks with shortness of breath.

Very often a feeling of pressure arises when muscles are strained. Thus, bad posture and lack of exercise, but also a wrong breathing technique can cause an oppressive tightness in the chest. Similarly, an earlier pleurisy may cause hardening, tension and adhesions in the fascia, muscles, ligaments and skin. Often the feeling of pressure then only comes to light years after the actual illness. Injuries to the chest as well as scars from previous surgical procedures, such as heart or lung surgery, can cause discomfort. Last but not least, in some cases respiratory diseases - influenza and bronchitis - cause uncomfortable chest pressure.

In order to be able to pinpoint the place of origin of the complaints, the doctor will first ask about the type and location of the feeling of pressure. Is it just pressure or pain? Do you have any further complaints? Is the feeling permanently present or does it arise during certain movements or activities? If the cause is found, depending on the diagnosis, the treatment can be initiated. Particularly in the case of muscle tensions as the cause of the discomfort, therapies from naturopathy and manual therapy such as osteopathy and chiropractic can be very promising.

The following are important but not all causes of breast pressure. Patients should always consult a doctor to rule out life-threatening causes.

Pressure sensation in the chest for colds and other respiratory diseases

A cold (flu-like infection) can be very persistent and unpleasant. As a rule, it is associated with runny nose, sore throat and difficulty swallowing, coughing and head and limb pain. In some cases, bronchitis develops, in which patients often experience pain and pressure around the sternum. If the symptoms do not improve after a short time or even worsen, it is advisable to consult a doctor, because a bronchitis can develop into pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. In pneumonia, the patients suddenly feel very ill, some have high fever and breathing problems. Even with flu (influenza) sufferers sometimes suffer from respiratory distress and a feeling of pressure in the chest.

Pressure on the chest with shortness of breath

In addition to cold, flu, bronchitis and pneumonia are other diseases with respiratory distress as a cause in question. First of all, the heart attack is an acute life-threatening situation for the patient and requires immediate medical care. Even with other heart complaints such as angina pectoris, pericarditis or heart stumbling, in addition to the feeling of pressure, there may be a lack of air. Severe lung diseases such as acute pulmonary embolism, pleural effusion or bronchial carcinoma are also often associated with respiratory distress.

Pressure on the chest as an alarm signal in the case of a heart attack

Pressure on the chest often has harmless causes, but it can also be an alarm signal for a heart attack. Many sufferers describe a pressure and tightness in the chest, "as if an elephant is on the chest". This feeling is often accompanied by a sudden onset of severe pain behind the breastbone and on the left side of the chest. If this lasts longer than five minutes, the pain is considered a typical sign of an infarction. They can also radiate into the back, neck, jaw, upper arms or arms. These symptoms are often accompanied by cold sweats, paleness, shortness of breath, nausea, restlessness and (death) anxiety.

If such complaints occur, the emergency doctor should be called immediately under the number 112! Many heart attack patients die because they do not take the signs seriously and are treated too late. In addition, a heart attack in women is often atypical. For example, women may lack the typical pain behind the breastbone. Instead, they report sudden pain in the neck and jaw, in the back or upper abdomen.

In some cases, infarction in women is only manifested by nausea, abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain and dizziness. Even if there are no clear symptoms, the ambulance should be contacted in case of doubt!

A heart attack is usually caused by an acute occlusion of a coronary artery (coronary artery). These supply the heart muscle with blood. If blood flow is interrupted, heart muscle cells will die after two to four hours at the latest. This endangers the heart's pumping function, making the infarction a life-threatening event. Therefore, it is important that the patient receives medical care as quickly as possible. A heart attack counts every minute! Cardiovascular diseases - especially myocardial infarction - are still the number one cause of death.

Pressure sensation in the chest during cardiovascular diseases

When a patient complains of a feeling of pressure in the chest, the doctor will examine if heart disease could be the cause of the discomfort. Thus, angina pectoris is accompanied by a frequently dull pressure sensation in the chest area. In addition, pain often occurs behind the sternum, which can radiate into the right or left arm to the fingertips, the shoulders, the neck, the teeth and more rarely in the stomach area. The affected person has the feeling that his chest is cinching him. Often, the symptoms of angina pectoris are very similar to those of a heart attack, the former being rapidly reduced by medication. In myocardial infarction the symptoms persist. An angina pectoris is usually due to a coronary heart disease, in which the coronary arteries are narrowed by deposits, so that the heart muscle is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen. The symptoms occur especially as a result of physical stress.

Arterial calcification is a major cause of a heart attack. (Image: psdesign1 / fotolia)

Another condition in which patients often experience unpleasant chest pressure is pericarditis (pericarditis). The sufferers suffer from severe pain in the heart area, which can radiate in the shoulder and neck. In acute pericarditis may also be respiratory distress and palpitations occur. The disease is life-threatening, as the inflammation can lead to a rapid increase of fluid between the pericardial leaves. This accumulation of fluid can cause the heart chambers to become insufficiently filled with blood and the pumping power of the heart to drop.

Many people report a feeling of pressure in the chest during heart stumbling. By this one understands a usually harmless arrhythmia, for which usually so-called extrasystoles, additional heartbeats, which bring the heart briefly out of rhythm, are the cause. Triggers can be stress, anxiety, excitement and friends. Even the consumption of coffee, alcohol or nicotine can cause heart stuttering. In addition, serious cardiovascular diseases come as a cause into consideration. If, in addition to the feeling of pressure in the chest, other symptoms, such as dizziness, shortness of breath or disturbances of consciousness, occur and the symptoms do not disappear after a few minutes, a doctor should be consulted.

Many patients with heart valve disease experience a sensation of pressure on their chest, such as when they are exercising or breathing in cold air. This feeling arises because one or more heart valves can no longer or only partially perceive their valve function. This blocks the flow of blood through the heart, causing insufficient oxygen and nutrients to enter the body. Patients often suffer from fainting and shortness of breath. Heart valve defects are often congenital, but can also occur during life or be acquired through infection.

High blood pressure (arterial hypertension) usually goes unnoticed for a long time because it causes no noticeable or visible symptoms. Patients who go to the cardiologist with symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, headaches often fear heart disease. Not infrequently, however, too high blood pressure is the cause of the discomfort.

Pressure on the chest in diseases of the lungs

In addition to cardiovascular diseases and problems with the lungs can lead to a feeling of pressure in the chest. Both in cases of bronchitis and pneumonia, the symptoms occur in some cases.

Acute mortal danger may exist if the symptoms are due to pulmonary embolism. In the process, a blood clot or other substance blocks a pulmonary artery, blocking the flow of oxygen-depleted blood from the heart to the lungs. Those affected do not always suffer from pronounced symptoms such as sudden onset of breathlessness, pain during breathing, bloody sputum, rapid heart rate and sudden unconsciousness. In some cases, patients report only mild chest pain.

Another life-threatening condition in which sufferers complain of a feeling of pressure, among other things, is pneumothorax, an accumulation of air between the lungs and the chest wall or in the pleural space (wiping the two layers of the pleura). One or both lungs can not expand properly through the air and fall partially or completely together. The air accumulation can have different causes. It sometimes occurs as a result of medical procedures or an accident. Even more often, however, there is no apparent trigger for the so-called spontaneous pneumothorax. In addition to the feeling of pressure, the symptoms of pneumothorax include respiratory distress and chest pain. The disease can, however, in mild cases run without any discomfort and heal by itself. In severe cases, on the other hand, the pulmonary and cardiovascular functions may be significantly reduced, resulting in respiratory failure and shock.

A pleurisy can also lead to chest pressure. Responsible is a so-called pleural effusion, which arises in the wet pleurisy (synonym: pleurisy). It is an accumulation of fluid between the lungs and chest wall. In addition to the pressure feeling sufferers often suffer from respiratory distress, fever and weakened breath sounds. Causes of a pleural effusion may include malignant tumors, tuberculosis or bacterial pneumonia.

Patients suffering from long-term pressure or general chest discomfort, accompanied by persistent cough, which does not improve despite medical treatment, may be the cause of the symptoms of lung cancer (bronchial carcinoma). Also, shortness of breath and bloody sputum when coughing occur in some patients. Since the disease runs for a long time without symptoms, lung tumors are usually discovered late. The symptoms are either caused by a primary tumor, which is often located in the central area of ​​the lungs, where the bronchial branch, by lung cancer settlements or the spread of the tumor in the chest.

Pressure in the chest due to discomfort of the esophagus and the gastrointestinal tract

While many people immediately think of distressing conditions such as heart attack or pulmonary embolism with a feeling of pressure on the chest, the causes are far more commonplace. Heartburn often leads to chest pressure. The ascending gastric acid in the esophagus can cause severe pain behind the sternum and a feeling of pressure. These symptoms are often accompanied by acid regurgitation. In patients with reflux disease, in which the symptoms are easily confused with the symptoms of angina pectoris, often develops an esophagitis. As a result of this disease and a pre-existing damage to the organ can lead to a tearing of the esophagus under heavy pressure, such as vomiting. This rare complication leads to severe stinging and pressure in the chest.

Stomach diseases in the overview. Often, behind the complaints in the chest are diseases such as reflux. (Image: Henrie / fotolia)

Diseases of the pancreas or gallbladder can also cause discomfort. For example, pancreatitis or gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis) often causes oppressive and tearing chest pain that radiates from the abdomen to the chest.

Breast presses in case of musculoskeletal complaints

Not infrequently cause tensions, for example, by bad posture and soreness after exercise a depressing sensation in the chest. Pain in the upper back, such as due to vertebral blockages, can trigger a feeling of an "elephant on the chest". Often, problems with the spine are associated with restricted mobility. The symptoms usually appear suddenly and irritate nerves and muscles between the ribs. Especially in the area of ​​the thoracic spine, vertebral blockages can lead to symptoms similar to those of angina pectoris.

Rib bumps or rib fractures due to accidents can also cause uncomfortable pressure and chest pain. Especially when breathing, coughing and laughing the symptoms occur.

Tension and pressure on the chest due to mental problems

Mental problems often lead to a feeling of pressure in the chest area. Many sufferers also suffer from tension due to an unfavorable posture, which can increase the chest pressure.

Stress is probably one of the most common causes of chest pressure. The high workload, the constant accessibility by mobile phone and email and hardly any time to pursue and recover their own interests are just a few examples that can quickly lead to stress. If you do not see the emergency brake and step down, you risk burnout.

Even fears can trigger an enormous feeling of pressure. A special form of fear is cardiac phobia (synonym: cardiac neurosis). Patients suffer from heart problems, but they have no organic cause. They are very afraid of a serious heart disease, including a heart attack. Behind a heart phobia is usually a psychological defense mechanism in which the actual fears on another goal, in this case the heart, are transmitted. Often, anxiety-provoking and stressful events are the cause of cardiac neurosis.

People with depression often report chest pain. In addition, those affected suffer from, among other things, depression, anxiety, lack of energy, listlessness, insomnia as well as loss of appetite or increase in appetite.

Treatment of the feeling of pressure in the chest

The causes are very diverse. The treatment is therefore based on the trigger, which may affect, inter alia, the heart, such as in angina pectoris, heart stumbling or heart attack.

In the case of a heart attack, treatment must begin as soon as possible in order to save the patient's life. The aim is to make the closed coronary artery as the cause of heart attack as quickly as possible again in order to prevent greater damage to the heart muscle. For this either the therapy with a stent or the intravenous lysis therapy comes into question, with which the blood clot is to be dissolved.

In angina pectoris inhalation of nitroglycerin causes dilation of the vessels and alleviation of discomfort. A pumping stroke also lowers blood pressure.

Heart stumbling, on the other hand, often requires no treatment unless it is a long-lasting condition. Beta-blockers can alleviate the symptoms, for example if they occur due to stress.

Even in diseases of the lungs must be distinguished between life-threatening and harmless complaints. A pulmonary embolism requires immediate medical attention, while bronchitis usually heals on its own. Depending on the severity of the pulmonary embolism, anticoagulant medication, fibrinolysis (dissolution of the blood clot), catheter treatment, or open surgery (pulmonary embolectomy) to remove the clot may be considered.

In mild pneumothorax, therapy is usually to give the patient oxygen. Also, drainage to remove accumulated liquid or air may be used if oxygen therapy is insufficient. As a bacterial infection can occur, those affected usually receive antibiotics.

In a tension pneumothorax there is an acute danger to life, as the pulmonary and cardiovascular function can be significantly reduced. Then the air must be removed from the pleural space as quickly as possible. In most cases, a thorax drainage is also used.

In chest pain from heartburn or reflux disease, antacids help to bind already formed stomach acid. Other medications can inhibit the overgrowth of stomach acid.

Musculoskeletal disorders associated with chest pressure include manual therapy, physiotherapy, and massages to treat the problems. Also promising are various methods from alternative medicine such as chiropractic, osteopathy, Rolfing, acupuncture or spine therapy. With targeted exercises and training, the patient can often contribute significantly to his own recovery.

If the symptoms are related to mental health problems, those affected should work with their family doctor to determine if psychotherapy is an option. If there is a suspicion of depression or other serious mental illness requiring treatment, medication therapy is often useful.

In case of stress, sometimes relaxation exercises such as progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, yoga or tai chi are enough to relieve the symptoms. Also endurance sports such as running, Nordic walking or swimming can be useful to "switch off". However, if the person feels very stressed and tense over a longer period of time, psychotherapy can help in this case as well.

Home remedies to relieve the pressure on the chest

If the feeling of pressure is due to a rather harmless cause, the complaints can often be alleviated with simple home remedies. Tense muscles help with a combination of warmth and movement. Warm patches with capsaicin, the ingredient of chilies, which is responsible for their sharpness, or a warm bath stimulate circulation and loosen up the muscles. Through movement, the muscles can be stretched.

For heartburn, relinquishing heavy pre-bedtime meals as well as acidifying substances such as nicotine and alcohol can help. Spicy foods should not be on a diet if you have heartburn.

Naturopathy to relieve the feeling of pressure in the chest

Natural remedies can be used if the cause of the pressure sensation does not require acute therapy. Thus, natural remedies are promising, among other things in muscle tension as a trigger of the complaints. In addition to massages help in many cases, applications of thermotherapy such as warm packs with peloids, such as mud or mud, or red light irradiations. The heat is often felt by those affected as very soothing and restful. It also promotes blood circulation and muscle tension relaxes.

When the pressure on the chest is due to stress, various relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, yoga and progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson. In addition, remedies from homeopathy, such as China D6 (Chinese bark) or Ferrum metallicum D12 (iron), as well as Schuessler salts can be taken. In the latter, the "nerve salt" No. 5 (potassium phosphoricum) in the potency D6 comes into consideration, as it is considered "expert" for psyche and nerves. According to recent scientific studies, lavender - especially the ingredients linalool and linalyl acetate - has a calming effect on stress. In addition to its soothing effect, the plant also promotes sleep, relieves anxiety and increases brain performance.

In mild reflux symptoms, non-medical practitioners often recommend a 14-day roll cure with chamomile flower extract as a tincture. For this, twenty drops of the extract are dissolved in a glass of warm water. A quarter of the solution should be drunk on an empty stomach. The patient then lies down on his back for ten minutes. Thereafter, another quarter is drunk and the side position taken. This procedure is repeated once each in the abdominal and the opposite lateral position. It takes 40 minutes for the affected person to roll around his own axis.

For heartburn, fresh potato juice may act as a basic buffer on stomach acid. During production, the green spots on the potatoes must first be removed. Then the pressing takes place. Those who regularly suffer from heartburn can in many cases achieve relief of their symptoms with homeopathic remedies. For acute treatment, among other things, the close-meshed intake of Acidum sulphuricum and Capsicum and Robinia pseudacacia in low potencies or as individual constitutional therapy into consideration. (Ag)