The Signs & Symptoms of Chest Disease

Home to both your heart and your lungs, your chest is a major control center for important bodily functions. This may, of course, give you legitimate cause for concern should you feel signs or symptoms that seem to indicate health problems in your chest. Understanding some of the causes for common chest-related symptoms can help you respond appropriately.

Aching and Tightness

• Often characterized by tenderness, tightness or general discomfort, chest pain can indicate conditions as serious as chest-related diseases and as inconsequential as a mild caffeine overdose. It may occur in short-lived bursts, painful and prolonged episodes or chronic attacks over time. Short, isolated periods of chest pain do not typically indicate chest diseases---rather, they are associated with hyperventilation, anxiety attacks and fits of excessive energy.
  Severe episodes, however, may be warning signs of more serious problems, like a heart attack. Though this does not necessarily constitute a disease, it is nonetheless a serious health risk.

  Chest pain that recurs over time may indicate a serious, long-standing problem, such as disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for example, is a disease of the lower respiratory tract and is characterized by chest tightness. Another example is coronary artery disease, which causes feelings of pressure and aching in your chest.

Shortness of Breath

• Shortness of breath is a relatively common symptom of chest diseases and conditions---and not just those related to your lungs. It may indicate, for example, coronary artery disease, a heart attack or other heart conditions. Some breathing problems, however, are not always associated with chest diseases---for example, if you feel an intense increase in pain when breathing deeply, this may be related to a non-cardiac problem such as pneumonia or pleurisy. You should consult your doctor regarding any trouble breathing, whether or not you suspect it is related to chest conditions.

Burning

• Burning feelings in the chest often indicate some type of nerve damage, but may also be warning signs for serious chest conditions. Coronary artery disease, for example, can cause burning sensations inside the chest. Burning sensations can also be a form of angina, a type of chest pain that results when the heart does not receive enough oxygen or blood. It can even be a sign of a heart attack, so burning sensations in the chest should never be taken lightly, even if they can be managed.