chest pain
Chest pain is a pain or discomfort in any area of your chest. It may spread to other areas of your upper body, including down your arms or into your neck or jaw. Chest pains can be sharp or dull. You may feel tightness or achiness. Or you may feel like something is crushing or squeezing your chest.
Symptoms
Chest pain symptoms related to your heart feel like:
• Pressure.
• Squeezing.
• Crushing.
• Tearing.
• Fullness.
You also may feel:
• Tired.
• Short of breath.
• Discomfort in your belly, shoulders, arms, jaw, neck and back.
Main cause of chest pain
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or chronic heartburn) is the most common cause of chest pain. Heart issue or not, you should get medical attention to get a diagnosis and the treatment you need.
• Heart problems (like heart attack, coronary artery disease, aortic dissection).
• Lung problems (like pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, asthma).
• Digestive issues (like GERD, ulcers, gallstones).
Dietary guidelines of chest pain
• Heart health: Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.
• Digestive health: Avoid trigger foods that cause acid reflux/GERD (like spicy, fatty, or acidic foods) and eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• Overall health: Limit alcohol, reduce salt and added sugar, stay hydrated, and maintain a healthy body weight to lower the risk of heart and digestive-related chest pain.