What do stabbing chest pains mean

It feels like a sharp, tearing pain in your chest and back. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, fainting or dizziness, weak pulse and stroke symptoms. Coronary artery disease can cause a painful sensation in the chest called angina. But usually, that pain is described as heaviness, achiness, tightness or pressure, rather than a sharp, sudden blast of pain.

Typical heart attack pain is similar to the pain of coronary artery disease: A heaviness, tightness or pressure. But some people experience atypical symptoms, especially women and people with diabetes, Dr. Unfortunately, it can be tough to pinpoint the cause of chest pain on your own. If you have other symptoms associated with serious heart and lung problems like shortness of breath, a lot of sweating or nausea , call or get yourself to the ER.

Outpatient evaluation of the adult with chest pain. Rushton S, et al. Chest pain: If it is not the heart, what is it? The Nursing Clinics of North America. What is a heart attack?

American Heart Association. McKean SC, et al. In: Principles and Practice of Hospital Medicine. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Aortic dissection. Society for Vascular Surgery. Pulmonary hypertension — High blood pressure in the heart-to-lung system. Hollander JE, et al. The cause of PCS is unknown. However, experts believe that it may be due to a spasm of the intercostal muscles that sit between the ribs.

These spasms may pinch nearby nerves, causing pain. A panic attack is a feeling of intense fear. A stressful event may trigger or it, or it might come on unexpectedly. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America , a panic attack includes at least four of the following symptoms.

The National Institute of Mental Health note that the symptoms come on very quickly, reaching their peak within minutes. Learn more about treating panic attacks and panic disorder here. A sharp stabbing pain in the chest could be a sign of an injury, such as a strained chest muscle or a fractured rib bone. Either type of injury could cause a sharp, sudden pain at the site of the damage. The treatment for a strained chest muscle is the same as that for any other type of muscle strain.

It involves resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected area. This approach is known as the RICE method. A broken or bruised rib usually heals on its own within 3—6 weeks. In the meantime, a person can take OTC pain relievers to alleviate pain. Pleuritis , or pleurisy, is inflammation and irritation of the lining of the lungs and chest. The condition can cause brief, sharp chest pain during bodily movements such as:.

The treatment for pleuritis depends on the underlying cause. Some potential treatment options include:. It may not always be possible to prevent some causes of chest pain. However, people can take steps to reduce the risk of chest pain due to heart disease. The CDC provide the following tips for reducing the risk of heart disease:.

A person should see a doctor if they experience repeat episodes of chest pain, regardless of whether other symptoms are present. Recurrent bouts of chest pain may indicate an underlying health issue, such as a problem with the heart or lungs. A person should phone the emergency services if they experience any of the symptoms of a heart attack or have an episode of angina that persists for 5 minutes or more following a second dose of angina medication.

Experiencing an intermittent sharp stabbing pain in the chest can be worrying. A one-off bout of mild chest pain that passes quickly is unlikely to be a cause for concern. You're more likely to have heart problems if you're older or know you're at risk of coronary heart disease.

Page last reviewed: 14 August Next review due: 14 August Chest pain. Immediate action required: Call if:.