Six reasons, besides a sore throat, why your throat hurts

An abnormal heart rhythm and its constant disturbances can cause a feeling of a lump in the throat, which presses and interferes with swallowing. A lump in the throat is often a symptom of heart disease. Arrhythmia combines various heart diseases, the common symptom of which is a violation of the frequency of compression of the heart muscle in the direction of increasing or decreasing the pulse. It does not occur on its own, but is a consequence of other diseases.

Causes of a lump in the throat

A lump in the throat feels like a compressed hard ball that makes it difficult to swallow, eat, and sometimes even breathe. A round lump can be felt near the collarbone or under the jaw itself, on the left or right side of the neck. A person often tries to swallow this lump or feel it with his hands. Sometimes this is impossible to do because there is no real seal. A lump is one of the symptoms of a number of diseases and is similar in appearance to a burning or tingling sensation, that is, a person’s throat simply creates a feeling of fullness. Such a lump may be a sign of the following ailments:

  • pharyngitis;
  • laryngitis;
  • quinsy;
  • oncology at an early stage;
  • problems with the thyroid gland;
  • nervous disorders;
  • a helminth egg developing in the throat;
  • gastroesophageal reflux;
  • achalasia of the esophagus;
  • neck injuries;
  • atrial fibrillation.

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In the absence of visible diseases such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis or neck injuries, the feeling of a lump in the throat may be a symptom of atrial fibrillation. This is a disorder of myocardial activity, in which the heart muscle works quickly and chaotically. The heart includes two atria and the same number of ventricles. When blood enters the atria, after their contractions it passes into the ventricles, and they pump blood further throughout the body. In a healthy person, the atria and ventricles work in harmony, and the number of their contractions averages 60-70 times per minute. When a person begins to experience atrial fibrillation, the atria contract arrhythmically and do not have time to quickly pump blood into the ventricles.

Causes of complications

The effect of angina on the heart does not depend on the age or gender of a person, and in some cases it happens that for the time being there is no suspicion of emerging heart problems.

Heart problems occur for the following reasons:

  1. Genetic predisposition, stress, non-compliance with sanitary standards, poor nutrition.
  2. Incorrect treatment of sore throat - insufficient dosage of antibiotics (see Which antibiotics to choose for sore throat) or reducing the duration of treatment cannot completely kill the microbe, but only damage its shell, making it less aggressive. As a result, the virus is not completely destroyed in the tonsils and enters the blood and lymphatic vessels, circulating in them, and after 10-14 days the heart hurts after a sore throat, and vascular inflammation may also occur.
  3. Features of the structure of the causative agent of the disease - about 80 viruses are known that are causative agents of sore throat. But only about 10 of them are “rheumatogenic,” that is, they are similar in structure to the tissues of the kidneys, heart and joint membranes. After they enter the body, the immune system is not able to distinguish them and develop protection, as a result of which an autoimmune process develops, accompanied by inflammation in the above organs.

Other symptoms of arrhythmia

Atrial fibrillation can be a harbinger of diseases such as arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease or stroke. Most often, arrhythmia occurs in those who play sports, suffer from diabetes, are weather-sensitive people, or have already suffered from heart disease. It is possible to more accurately determine that the problem of feeling a lump in the throat lies in a heart disease if the following symptoms are present:

  • irregular contraction of the heart muscle;
  • feeling of pounding in the chest;
  • dizziness;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • labored breathing;
  • blood pressure changes;
  • dyspnea;
  • weakness.

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Pressing pain in the heart area: causes - cardiac and extracardiac, diagnosis, treatment

Pressing pain in the heart area is one of the main manifestations of coronary artery disease, occurring in any form (angina pectoris, heart attack). Pain occurs as a result of hypoxia of the heart muscle caused by thrombosis or atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels. It is usually accompanied by a feeling of shortness of breath, headache, increased blood pressure, numbness of the limbs and fear of death. With angina pectoris, the pain lasts 5-20 minutes. Heart pain lasting more than half an hour is a likely sign of an incipient myocardial infarction.

Every adult has experienced a painful pain in the heart at least once in their life. This is perhaps the most common complaint with which people turn to a cardiologist. In fact, this fairly common symptom does not always indicate cardiovascular dysfunction. But pressing pain in the heart area is a sign of a number of ailments that should not be ignored. If you have such an ailment, you should contact a medical facility, undergo a full diagnostic examination and determine its causes.

The causes of pressing pain in the heart are very diverse. They are conventionally divided into two large groups - cardiac or non-cardiac. Only after determining the cause of the pathology can we begin to treat it.

Heart reasons

Most often, the heart presses in cardiac patients suffering from angina pectoris, myocarditis, cardioneurosis and other diseases.

  • Myocardial infarction is one of the main causes of intense chest pain. The severity of pain depends on the degree of myocardial damage. If the area of ​​necrosis is significant, patients experience burning, pressing, squeezing, dagger-like pain, accompanied by negative emotions: anxiety, fear of death. The pain is localized mainly on the left side, does not disappear after taking Nitroglycerin and can persist for several hours. Treatment for myocardial infarction should begin immediately.
  • Angina also manifests itself as pressure in the heart area and shortness of breath. The cause of pinching anginal pain is an insufficient amount of oxygen and nutrients entering the myocardium through the bloodstream. Burning and pressing pain is usually localized in the central part of the sternum. Angina attacks do not last long and usually occur in older people. With severe coronary dysfunction, the walls of the coronary arteries lose their elasticity. Over time, this condition manifests itself as pain and tightness in the chest. Patients experience pressure and aching in the heart and their left arm goes numb. Rest and a Nitroglycerin tablet will help you cope with unpleasant symptoms.
  • Cardioneurosis is a disorder of the heart caused by exhaustion of the nervous system. The pathology is manifested by pain of varying intensity, tachycardia more than 100 beats per minute, signs of anemia, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. The main symptom of cardioneurosis is panic or cardiophobia. Less common symptoms include: dizziness, anxiety, hyperhidrosis, headache, lump in throat, lightheadedness, insomnia. To get rid of this problem, you should normalize your work and rest schedule, eat right, lead a healthy lifestyle and restore your mental state. Sedatives will relieve stress, and with it the pressing sensations in the heart will go away.
  • Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle of rheumatoid etiology, which causes dull pressing pain in the heart, weakness, shortness of breath, fever, tachycardia, swelling of the legs. Myocarditis is a complication of a bacterial infection. The attacks occur several times throughout the day and do not go away after taking nitroglycerin. In the absence of adequate treatment in a hospital, dangerous complications and even death of the patient can develop.
  • Pericarditis is an inflammation of the outer lining of the heart of viral etiology. Patients have pressure in the area of ​​the heart, they are tormented by a dry cough and severe weakness. Body temperature rises periodically, and hemoptysis is possible. Men are most susceptible to the disease. Pain from pericarditis usually spreads to the right side of the body. A forced position - sitting and bending forward - will help alleviate the condition of patients.
  • Heart defects at the stage of decompensation are manifested by aching and pressing pain that does not go away with rest. Patients experience severe pain in the heart, increased heart rate and breathing, dizziness, hoarseness, bursting sensations in the chest, fainting and swelling of the legs. These symptoms are nonspecific for this pathology. If they appear, you should consult a doctor.

The following symptoms will help confirm the assumption about the cardiac nature of pressing pain behind the sternum: arrhythmia, tachycardia, dizziness, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, pain in the back, limbs, neck, pallor or cyanosis of the skin, dyspepsia, fainting. Cardiac pathologies manifested by pressing pain behind the sternum should be treated immediately. Failure to seek medical attention results in death.

Non-cardiac causes

Pressing pain in the heart area can be a symptom of pulmonary diseases, intervertebral hernia, pathology of the digestive tract, and nervous diseases.

  • Depression is a special condition of the body associated with a violation of mental balance. Pathology occurs in response to various negative factors. Patients experience constant pressure in the area of ​​the heart: after nervous strain and at rest. This condition is often accompanied by the cardioneuroses described above and the syndrome of autonomic dysfunction (vegetative-vascular dystonia).
  • Heartburn is a symptom of various diseases of the digestive system, which can cause chest pain. Unpleasant sensations intensify when the patient bends over or assumes a horizontal position. Gastric ulcers and esophagitis with necrotic changes are manifested by pain in the heart and difficulty breathing.
  • Pleurisy is an inflammatory disease of the pleural layers surrounding the lungs. One of its symptoms is pressing pain in the chest. The pain with pleurisy is sharp, intensifying with inspiration and during coughing. Patients take a forced position: they lie on their healthy side, without moving and limiting the respiratory excursion of the chest. Other symptoms of pleurisy include malaise, general weakness, sweating, and chills.
  • Osteochondrosis is an inflammatory destructive-degenerative disease of the spine, which causes pinching and pressure in the area of ​​the heart and chest pain. In addition to pain, patients experience tingling sensations on the skin and limited joint mobility. The pain intensifies when walking, turning the head and moving the arms. It subsides if you find the right position. At the same time, there are no pathological changes in the heart itself.
  • Intervertebral hernia, usually accompanying osteochondrosis, is a disease caused by wear and tear of cartilage tissue. Pinching of the nerve roots leads to very severe pain, which makes breathing difficult and a feeling of lack of air. Patients themselves mistake it for angina. Their hearts ache and it becomes difficult to breathe. Chest pain is accompanied by a crawling sensation, numbness in the chest, back, arms, and weakness in the arm muscles.
  • Thoracic radiculitis or intercostal neuralgia is a disease of the peripheral nervous system that manifests itself as paroxysmal or constant pain between the ribs. The pain intensifies with palpation, movement, coughing, sneezing, or simple touching. Pain from the spinal column reaches the anterior chest, covering this entire space.
  • With flatulence, accumulated gases put pressure on the internal organs, the functioning of the heart and blood vessels is disrupted, and pain occurs in the chest. Abdominal bloating is manifested by paroxysmal or cramping pain, heartburn and belching, constipation or diarrhea, a feeling of fullness, and rumbling.
  • Pressing pain in the heart can occur with a hangover. Alcohol has a negative effect on muscles and, in particular, on the myocardium and causes pain. Acute inflammation of the liver, stomach and other internal organs can manifest as chest pain, which is easily confused with heart pain. Acute alcoholic pancreatitis is manifested by girdle pain radiating to the sternum. Only after a complete examination of the patient can the cause of the pressing pain in the heart from a hangover be determined.

What to do if you have arrhythmia?

Only an experienced doctor can help you figure out what caused the feeling of a lump in your throat. You need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to undergo examination by an ENT specialist, endocrinologist, neurologist, oncologist and cardiologist. You will need to visit so many doctors in order to make an accurate diagnosis, since against the background of arrhythmia, a person may develop another disease, the symptom of which can also be a lump in the throat.

Once the doctor is convinced that the sensation of a lump in the throat is a sign of an abnormal heart rate, treatment will need to begin. The first goal of this treatment is to restore normal myocardial rhythm. During atrial fibrillation, the heart muscle can make up to 300 contractions per minute, which is very dangerous for health. The second goal of cardiac therapy is to maintain a normal heart rhythm. During the treatment of arrhythmia, the patient cannot do without medications and folk recipes. The second is mainly herbal treatment. However, it is worth remembering that you can drink them only with the permission of a doctor or on his recommendation. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate, since we are talking about heart disease and taking pills or herbs at random or on the advice of friends can only harm the body.

Almost everyone experiences the feeling of a lump in the throat throughout their lives. The main reason is getting into a stressful situation. The sensations are usually short-lived and have no consequences. If the feeling of a lump in the throat is constant, then this indicates the development of a disease that requires close attention. Taking care of your health first of all!

Among the causes of this unpleasant condition are the following:

  • neurological spasms of the larynx;
  • pathologies of changes in the condition of the thyroid gland: goiter, tumors, nodes;
  • inflammatory processes of viral and bacterial theology;
  • diseases of the cervical spine;
  • gastroenterological diseases;
  • laryngeal tumors;
  • obesity;
  • intoxication;
  • cardiovascular diseases;
  • allergic reactions;
  • entry of foreign bodies, injury to the walls of the larynx.

Since the sensation of a lump in the throat can be caused by various reasons, the source is determined by the accompanying symptoms.

Nervous overload becomes the main cause of squeezing sensations in the throat area. Stress, neurosis, depression, disorder are the causes of psychosomatic abnormalities in the body. Being in these states, a person unconsciously keeps the muscles of the whole body tense. The maximum load falls on the shoulder girdle and neck.

Over time, the condition becomes habitual and unnoticed, but physiological changes lead to a sensation of a lump in the throat, soreness, difficulty swallowing, and tremor of the hands, head, and tics may occur. This is the brain's response to overstrain.

  1. If you constantly feel a feeling of a lump in your throat when swallowing or wearing clothes that compress your neck, you should consult an endocrinologist. Structural changes in the tissues of the thyroid gland lead to its enlargement and compression of neighboring areas. There is often a desire to swallow saliva due to soreness and irritation of the mucous membranes. There is a feeling of constant pressure. Most often, the cause of this condition is the compaction of the structure of the thyroid gland, as a response to the action of the immune system, which mistakenly perceives the gland as foreign. The proliferation of nodes affects adjacent organs only if they are large or located along the posterior wall of the thyroid gland.
  2. Diseases and injuries of the esophagus cause significant discomfort. They are usually accompanied by a feeling of burning, irritation, increased salivation, and a lump in the throat. Eating food and liquid is associated with difficulty and pain. The sensations go away when inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is relieved.
  3. The development of obesity and laryngeal tumors leads to tissue proliferation. There is squeezing inside the throat. At the initial stage, pain is not felt, but there is a feeling of discomfort and increased salivation. Over time, the respiratory lumen becomes blocked.
  4. Cardiovascular diseases are characterized by difficulty breathing, lack of oxygen, and pressure in the neck. Lack of treatment leads to a heart attack.
  5. Allergies are a special source of coma formation, and are among the first causes. An allergic reaction is associated with the influx of lymph into the mucous membranes. Not only a lump arises. Breathing becomes difficult and itching is felt. This is accompanied by increased salivation, lacrimation, and discharge from the sinuses.
  6. Diseases of the cervical spine directly affect the organs in its area. Over time, muscles lose elasticity, the clearance of the intervertebral discs decreases, and overstrain occurs in this area. The formation of a coma is accompanied by headaches. Pain syndrome is observed in the neck and upper back.
  7. Intoxication. The sensation of a lump in the throat after drinking alcohol occurs due to vascular spasms as a result of intoxication. It becomes difficult to breathe, nausea, vomiting occurs, and the throat seems to be constricted. This is dangerous, as the respiratory lumen may be completely blocked. Need help in a hospital setting. Drugs are used to cleanse the body of toxins.

To understand the cause of disturbing symptoms, the doctor performs an examination:

  • manual examination of the condition of the thyroid gland and organs of the neck area;
  • examination of the throat, larynx, nasopharynx using equipment;
  • clarifies symptoms, timing of occurrence, frequency;
  • compares blood tests;
  • To clarify the diagnosis, he prescribes computed tomography and radiography.

Initially, a general set of measures is prescribed in treatment. Its basis is:

  1. A diet based on foods that reduce tissue irritation.
  2. Rejection of bad habits.
  3. Air humidification in places of permanent residence.

If there is increased secretion of nasopharyngeal mucus, rinsing with saline solutions is prescribed. In severe cases of inflammation of the tonsils, they are washed using a device or manually using instruments. The procedure is unpleasant, but without pain.

For neurotic diseases, sedatives and antidepressants are prescribed. A course of psychotherapy is recommended. Treatment of the thyroid gland mainly occurs with the help of drugs that restore hormonal levels and stabilize the general condition of the body.

In most cases, the sensation of a lump in the throat can be avoided if you develop stress tolerance and do daily physical exercise to maintain the general condition of the body. If symptoms persist for a long time, do not postpone a visit to the doctor.

Almost every person in his life has at least once felt a so-called lump in the throat, which occurs during increased psycho-emotional stress, which is typical when receiving difficult news, passing a difficult exam at an institute, or making a vital decision. The feeling of a coma is described as the presence of a foreign formation that interferes with the flow of air, swallowing, and causes local painful sensations. The causative factors for the manifestation of these symptoms (arrhythmias and coma) are varied and can signal the presence of serious diseases that require timely diagnosis and treatment. To understand the reasons, you should study the development of concomitant symptoms, conduct research and establish the clinical picture.

Treatment of arrhythmia with such a symptom as a lump in the throat and vice versa is carried out by an otolaryngologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, cardiologist, and neurologist.

Causes

Among the causes of this unpleasant condition are the following:

  • neurological spasms of the larynx;
  • pathologies of changes in the condition of the thyroid gland: goiter, tumors, nodes;
  • inflammatory processes of viral and bacterial theology;
  • diseases of the cervical spine;
  • gastroenterological diseases;
  • laryngeal tumors;
  • obesity;
  • intoxication;
  • cardiovascular diseases;
  • allergic reactions;
  • entry of foreign bodies, injury to the walls of the larynx.

Since the sensation of a lump in the throat can be caused by various reasons, the source is determined by the accompanying symptoms.

Causes and symptoms of diseases and conditions provocateurs

Long-term stress, anxiety, and psycho-emotional stress can cause a feeling of a lump in the throat. This is due to spasm and muscle tension. Contraction of the throat muscles during excitement contributes to this unpleasant feeling. As a rule, after the stress passes, this feeling disappears spontaneously. Sedatives, aromatherapy, massage, and relaxation sessions are prescribed. In more severe cases, antidepressants and tranquilizers may be prescribed. Accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • sore and constricted throat;
  • difficulty swallowing saliva;
  • increased heart rate, arrhythmia;
  • increased blood pressure;
  • depressive state.

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If you feel a lump in your throat, you must first rule out inflammatory diseases of the throat and trachea - chronic tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils), tracheitis. An otolaryngologist examines the nasopharynx and larynx using an endoscope. Treatment is conservative therapy, surgery.

The acidic contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus, causing inflammation. Symptoms:

  • lump in the throat;
  • heartburn;
  • pain behind the sternum;
  • rapid pulse.
  • Reduce the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus by eliminating the use of foods: coffee; chocolate; mint.
  • Reduce stomach acidity using proton pump inhibitor drugs.
  • Help surgically if conservative measures are ineffective.

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One of the most common causes (especially in women over 30 years of age) is an increase in the volume of the thyroid gland as a result of diffuse benign or malignant neoplasms. Increasing in size, it puts pressure on the trachea and esophagus, nerve endings. In this case, removal surgery is performed and thyroid hormones are taken.

  • difficulty breathing;
  • hoarseness of voice;
  • suffocation at night;
  • cough;
  • difficulty swallowing food;
  • dizziness, arrhythmia.

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As a result of weakening of the ligamentous apparatus, the lower part of the esophagus and part of the stomach are displaced into the chest cavity. This provokes the reflux of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus, the development of reflux esophagitis. Differential signs of pain syndrome include the appearance of pain after eating, bending and physical activity. Treatment with conservative methods, in serious cases - surgery.

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart disease

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There are few people who are unfamiliar with pain and pressing sensations in the chest, burning, heaviness, and sharp injections in the heart. The pain has clear boundaries or covers the chest, “hits” under the shoulder blade, in the neck, shoulder or forearm, in the stomach. It appears suddenly or intensifies gradually, lasts several seconds, minutes or hours, disappears or increases with a change in posture. Sometimes discomfort or pain in the heart area is associated, and sometimes not associated with stress or emotions.

There are many causes of pain behind the sternum, and not all of them are caused by pathologies or diseases of the “main organ”. A painful symptom often indicates heart disease, but how the heart hurts is also important. Sometimes a person who suspects angina pectoris or myocardial infarction needs treatment for the stomach, spine, or even nerves. Therefore, you cannot diagnose yourself and take “heart” medications just in case!

If the heart is not right

Pain associated with diseases and pathologies of the heart is conventionally divided into anginal (ischemic) and cardialgic. Anginal pain is familiar to people with coronary heart disease, this is how it hurts during an attack of angina and myocardial infarction; they indicate aortic dissection or rupture of an arterial aneurysm.

Cardialgia occurs:

  • in inflammatory processes;
  • in children and adults with congenital heart defects and/or valve defects.

The immediate cause of anginal pain is acute oxygen starvation of the myocardium or its section due to disruption of blood flow in the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis, narrowing, and spasm. Anginal pain is burning, pressing on the heart, “as if it were being squeezed in a fist”; localized behind the sternum, sometimes radiating to the shoulder, arm, under the shoulder blade, neck, chin or cheekbone; accompanied by shortness of breath. It arises suddenly; an attack is often provoked by fast walking, climbing stairs, or excitement; it lasts from a few minutes to half an hour.

The cause of cardialgia pain, or cardialgia, is rheumatic and other inflammations of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or the outer lining of the organ (pericarditis). Unlike angina, cardialgia does not depend on the load and is felt differently. They are continuous, stitching or aching; sometimes the patient’s heart aches, and this pain cannot be confused with anything, but it also happens that it is difficult for him to understand where it hurts: starting from the left, the pain “floods” the entire chest. It hurts a person to inhale and cough; he painfully chooses a body position so that the pain decreases or subsides.

  • Pericarditis. Pain in the heart area occurs from friction between the inflamed layers of the pericardium. It begins in the hypochondrium and extends into the arm; the patient unmistakably associates it with the heart. A person with “pericardial” pain is forced to sit, leaning forward, and cannot breathe fully.
  • Myocarditis. The heart “presses, aches, stabs”, freezes, sometimes a person feels weak, and develops a fever. Myocarditis develops with viral or bacterial infections: acute respiratory infections, flu, sore throat - sometimes it occurs in response to excess load. In this case, symptoms appear a few days after overexertion.
  • Congenital and acquired heart pathologies (cardiomyopathies); heart and valve defects - aortic, mitral. Pain in cardiomyopathy varies in sensation and location. People with valve defects say that their heart ache, presses and aches.

Anginal pain disappears with rest and is relieved by Nitroglycerin (except for myocardial infarction). Cardialgia is insensitive to this remedy, and to relieve it, the doctor prescribes painkillers.

Call a doctor rather than try to cope with them at home if pain in the heart area occurs suddenly and radiates to the shoulder or arm. Before the doctor arrives, lie down or sit down and take a Nitroglycerin or Validol tablet. Other symptoms indicating a cardiac cause are heaviness in the chest, as if a stone had been placed on it; shortness of breath, tachycardia, heart failure; dizziness, unreasonable fear, anxiety, sweating.

Non-cardiac causes

Pain in the heart, or more precisely, in the heart area, is a sign of many painful conditions associated with dysfunction of other organs and systems of the body or psycho-emotional disturbances. The spine, muscles, lungs, stomach and intestines, infections, and nervous diseases are “to blame” for them.

  • Musculoskeletal system. If unpleasant sensations increase or subside when a person moves his arms, bends over, turns his torso, is felt both when inhaling and exhaling, and is not relieved by medications, then it is probably not pain in the heart. Similar symptoms are given by:
  • Compression of spinal cord fibers (radicular syndrome) in thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis and scoliosis.
  • Myalgia is muscle inflammation.

  • Inflammation of the costal cartilages (Tietze syndrome); intercostal neuralgia; bruises, broken ribs. Intercostal neuralgia, similar to pain in the heart, is the first symptom or complication of chickenpox in children and shingles in adults.
  • Lungs and pleura. Pain signals an embolism (blockage by a blood clot) of the pulmonary artery. It flares up suddenly “against the background of complete health” and becomes unbearable when inhaling. The patient breathes quickly, complains of tachycardia, is overcome by fear, and may lose consciousness. Also, pain in the heart area is caused by:

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    • Collapsed lung (pneumothorax) due to pneumonia, trauma, aspiration of food, or inhalation of a foreign body.
    • Pulmonary hypertension is an increase in pressure in the pulmonary vessels.

  • Bronchial asthma in severe form.
  • Pneumonia. Acute, clearly localized pain in the heart area is provoked by pleurisy accompanying pneumonia. They intensify when coughing and inhaling.
  • Digestive organs. Diseases of the digestive organs can manifest themselves with symptoms reminiscent of heart pain and interfere with the functioning of the heart (for example, with flatulence, the intestines overflowing with gases press on the diaphragm, and it is difficult for the organ to contract). Other causes of unpleasant and painful sensations in the chest can be caused by:
    • Esophageal spasm, diaphragmatic hernia. Unpleasant sensations appear after eating, more often when a person is lying down. Pain during esophageal spasm goes away with Nitroglycerin, but taking Validol in this case is useless.
    • Gastritis and stomach ulcers. Heartburn resembles a burning sensation behind the sternum, but the unpleasant sensation is not associated with physical activity and disappears after taking antacids: baking soda solution, Phosphalugel, Almagel®, Maalox®, etc. Pain in the heart does not go away from antacids.

  • Diseases of the gallbladder and pancreas. Gallstone disease, cholecystitis and pancreatitis cause severe pain, especially with biliary colic. They appear in the upper abdomen and radiate to the chest, simulating pain in the heart.
  • Neurological causes are more often diagnosed in women. Chest pain occurs during so-called panic attacks - attacks of fear, the cause of which cannot be understood, while a person’s heart is pounding, breathing quickens, and he is “drenched in cold sweat.” If you are familiar with pressing, pulling and aching pain in the heart area, sometimes it tingles like a needle, you often have a bad mood and signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia, then this is probably neurosis. In all these cases, the cause of discomfort is autonomic disorders.
  • Heart pain in children

    Heart pain in young children and primary schoolchildren occurs for the same reasons as in adults. However, some causes are diagnosed more often in children than in their parents, others much less frequently, and still others are not found in adults and disappear in children as they grow.

    • If the vessels in the baby's heart grow faster than the organ itself, and its blood supply is too intense, the child feels pain.
    • Active, emotional children complain that their heart ache after fast running or walking. Their autonomic system has not yet matured, and the body does not know how to quickly adapt to changing physical load. But as soon as the child catches his breath and rests a little, the pain goes away. In adolescents, heart pain accompanies vegetative-vascular dystonia: tingling in the left chest and armpit.

    You should not hesitate to visit a doctor if your child has pain in breathing deeply or coughing, especially if complaints appeared several weeks after a cold, flu or streptococcal infection (scarlet fever, sore throat). This is how viral myocarditis or rheumatism begins. Inflammation of the pericardium or cardiomyopathy can be suspected if the child complains that his heart is pressing.

    However, there is no need to panic ahead of time! At the initial appointment, you will tell the doctor what worries you about the baby’s health, he will examine the child and ask questions, do a cardiogram, if possible, and conduct an exercise test. A small child does not yet know how the heart hurts; he cannot always show exactly where he feels the pain. The baby cries and points to his chest, but it is quite possible that his gallbladder is bothering him, and the pain radiates to the sternum; In younger schoolchildren, pain is caused by incipient scoliosis or osteochondrosis. If a cardiac examination shows that the child is healthy, the doctor will refer the baby to a neurologist, gastroenterologist or orthopedist.

    Diagnostics

    To identify why the heart hurts or what causes similar sensations in the chest, an examination is necessary, which is prescribed first by a therapist, and then by a cardiologist and other specialized doctors. For young women and men, consultation with several specialists is often enough; older patients need a more thorough examination for hidden diseases.

    So, if you complain of sharp, stabbing pain in the heart area, neurosis can be assumed, and the patient needs to consult a neurologist. Additional symptoms that confirm this diagnosis: nervousness, depression, rapid heartbeats, panic attacks, a feeling of a lump in the throat and other autonomic disorders. Such people are very frightened at a doctor’s appointment, it seems to them that they are seriously ill, and when the examination shows that they are not in danger, they do not believe that the pain in the heart has nothing to do with this organ.

    To exclude or detect cardiac pathology, the following is prescribed:

    • Electrocardiogram and treadmill test (ECG with dosed exercise); Holter monitoring (ECG recording throughout the day).
    • Phonocardiography and echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart). Phonocardiography allows you to analyze heart murmurs, and ultrasound of the heart allows you to examine the condition of the myocardium and its valves, and assess the speed of blood flow in the cardiac cavities.
    • X-ray studies with radioactive contrast. The patency of the coronary arteries is checked using coronary angiography; Myocardial scintigraphy evaluates the blood supply to the heart muscle.

    To identify non-cardiac causes of heart pain, the spine is first examined (X-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging). If there is a connection with food, the patient is referred to a gastroenterologist.

    Treatment and prevention

    For heart disease, the doctor prescribes specific treatment, and, if necessary, surgery (for example, in case of rupture of an aneurysm or narrowing of the arteries due to atherosclerosis). If pain in the heart area is caused by non-cardiac causes, you need to undergo a course of treatment for the underlying disease. People with neurosis are prescribed spa treatment and physiotherapy and are told how to continue therapy at home.

    The peculiarity of chest pain is that its intensity does not always indicate the severity of the disease. For example, sharp, unbearable, stabbing pain in the heart often indicates neurosis, and not severe cardiac pathology, while dull, pressing pain indicates a heart attack and requires immediate help. Therefore, you should not diagnose yourself and try to cope with unpleasant sensations on your own at home.

    Even if you don’t know how your heart hurts and presses, after 35–40 years you should regularly measure your blood pressure and visit a therapist every six months. After all, many diseases make themselves felt long before serious symptoms appear, and the sooner they are identified, the greater the chance of recovery.

    Arrhythmia as a cause of a lump in the throat

    A feeling of laryngeal congestion can be provoked by atrial fibrillation. Such arrhythmia serves as a harbinger of arterial hypertension and hypertension, cardiac ischemia, and stroke. This form of malfunction of the heart muscle is observed in athletes under excessive stress, in diabetics and weather-sensitive people, as well as in patients with existing heart pathologies. Additional symptoms:

    • irregular heart rate;
    • tremors in the sternum;
    • dizziness to the point of fainting;
    • breathing problems, shortness of breath;
    • blood pressure changes;
    • weakness.

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    Causes and mechanisms

    The feeling of heaviness cannot be called normal. This is not pain yet, but it may become so with the further development of the pathological process. And it is important to find out in time what is wrong in the body. But only a doctor can do this, because the source of unpleasant symptoms can be pathology from various organs and systems:

    1. Lungs and pleura (pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, pleurisy, hemo- and pneumothorax).
    2. Bronchi (bronchial asthma, obstructive disease).
    3. Heart (coronary disease, pericarditis, valve defects).
    4. Stomach and esophagus (reflux esophagitis, achalasia cardia, diaphragmatic hernia).
    5. Mediastinum (enlarged lymph nodes, tumors).
    6. Chest and spine (injuries, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia).
    7. Neuropsychic state (neuroses and depression).

    Pain and heaviness in the chest is a fairly common situation, and it should not be ignored. Considering the multiple nature of the origin of this symptom, the examination process cannot do without a thorough differential diagnosis. By eliminating the possibility of some conditions, the existence of others is confirmed, and gradually the doctor identifies the source of discomfort in a particular patient.

    The question of the origin of heaviness in the chest is not so simple, because there are quite a few reasons for this condition. But an experienced doctor will always figure out what’s going on.

    What examinations are needed and what to do?

    Only after consulting with an otolaryngologist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, a blood test for thyroid hormones, an X-ray of the neck, gastroscopy and no abnormalities are detected, then treatment will be prescribed by a neurologist. You cannot patiently wait for the condition to go away on its own - this will worsen the disorder. You can hope to get rid of the feeling of a lump in the throat only by relieving overexcitation of the nervous system.

    If a lump in the throat is a symptom of atrial fibrillation, then the primary task is to stabilize the heart rate, which at times can reach 300 beats per minute. Then it is important to provide proper cardiac therapy with antiarrhythmic medications and folk remedies. But self-medication is prohibited so as not to harm the body. Treatment is prescribed only by a doctor.

    How to prevent complications from developing

    In order to prevent the occurrence of heart disease, any sore throat, even with the most mild symptoms, must be treated to the end, using pre-selected medications and traditional methods. The price of most components used in symptomatic treatment is insignificant, which makes it possible to effectively combat sore throat.

    Instructions for treating the disease:

    • Antibiotic therapy with drugs of a number of penicillins or cephalosporins;
    • Bed rest;
    • Drink plenty of warm drinks;
    • Antipyretics;
    • Inhalations;
    • Irrigation and lubrication of the tonsils;
    • Gargling.

    For inhalation and gargling, you can use homemade products. For these purposes, a soda-iodine solution, herbal decoctions, furacilin, chlorophyllipt or hydrogen peroxide are suitable. These remedies are effective in treating inflammation of the tonsils and removing pus from their surface.

    From the photos and videos attached to this article, we learned about the dangers of negligent treatment of sore throat, what heart diseases can appear as complications and how they manifest themselves.

    Diagnosis and treatment

    Since these symptoms indicate various pathologies, self-medication is strictly prohibited. Therapy depends on the cause of the disease.

    For heart pathologies, the doctor prescribes medications to improve blood circulation. If indicated, medications for arrhythmia may be used. This will prevent a heart attack.

    For lung pathologies, antimicrobial agents or antiviral drugs must be used. If there is a problem with the blood supply to the lungs, medications are indicated to improve the properties of the blood. This makes it easier to move through the vessels.

    If the digestive organs are damaged, antispasmodics are indicated. Medications to reduce stomach acid may also be prescribed. If neuralgia is diagnosed, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. When a hernia occurs, there is a need for surgery.

    Diagnosis and treatment

    It consists in identifying the root cause of the pathological process. This is the only way to prescribe appropriate medications. Independence is not allowed here.

    For diagnosis, you need to see a therapist. He will tell you which specialized specialists you will need to visit in the future.

    It can be:

    • gastroenterologist;
    • endocrinologist;
    • otolaryngologist;
    • psychotherapist;
    • neurologist;
    • cardiologist.

    The following are specialized diagnostic procedures:

    • Visual assessment of the pharynx.
    • Examination of the thyroid gland (palpation).
    • Blood test for hormones.
    • General blood analysis.
    • FGDS.
    • X-ray of the stomach with barium preparations.
    • Examination of the patient's mental status.
    • Checking neurological status.
    • ECG.
    • ECHO KG.

    The list of studies can be either expanded or shortened (all depending on the situation).

    A lump in the throat and a feeling of pain behind the sternum is a complex and dangerous condition that develops both due to harmless laryngeal neurosis and potentially fatal heart pathologies.

    A thorough diagnosis under the supervision of a specialized specialist is required. This is the only way to quickly identify the root cause of the condition and prescribe adequate treatment.

    Considering the type of pain and additional signs (fever, vomiting, skin rashes, cough, arrhythmia), a specialist may suspect a particular disease and immediately send the patient for examination, which will help identify the main causative disease that causes chest pain and a lump in the throat.

    Among the main hardware diagnostic methods, the following are used:

    • swallowing function testing;
    • radiography and manometry - to identify patency of the esophagus;
    • determination of the acidity of the stomach and esophagus;
    • Ultrasound of the thyroid gland and abdominal organs;
    • tomography to exclude cancer processes or identify the location of the tumor;
    • blood tests for hormones and biochemistry;
    • skin tests (if allergies are suspected);

    If necessary, the patient is referred to a gastroenterologist, cardiologist, infectious disease specialist, neurologist and psychotherapist.

    For each disease, the doctor selects certain groups of medications and treatment methods.

    In order to make a correct diagnosis and accurately determine the reason why a person feels a burning sensation and a lump in the throat, as well as chest pain, the doctor prescribes and carries out the following procedures and examinations:

    • MRI of the cervical spine;
    • blood and urine tests;
    • X-ray;
    • Ultrasound of the thyroid gland.

    Sometimes it is difficult for a doctor to determine a disease: tests are normal, studies have not revealed any pathologies. In this case, the doctor gives a referral to psychiatrists and psychologists.

    Sometimes a person feels like the chest is pressing on the lungs, and inhalation causes acute pain and a lump in the throat. The doctor must immediately rule out diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and heart attack. If no such diseases are detected, then suspicion falls on intercostal neuralgia and osteochondrosis.

    The nature of the unpleasant sensations can only be determined based on the results of a comprehensive examination. Given the variety of causes of the phenomenon under consideration, various diagnostic measures may be required:

    1. General blood and urine tests.
    2. Blood biochemistry (inflammatory markers, lipid spectrum, coagulogram, immunoglobulins).
    3. Analysis of sputum and pleural fluid (cytology, culture).
    4. Chest X-ray.
    5. Tomography.
    6. Spirometry.
    7. Electrocardiography.
    8. Ultrasound of the heart.
    9. Fibrogastroscopy, etc.

    By pointing to the source of the disturbance, these methods will allow the doctor to make a final conclusion about the patient’s condition. Often this requires the help of related specialists: a pulmonologist and TB specialist, a cardiologist and gastroenterologist, a neurologist and vertebrologist, an oncologist and a psychotherapist. And only after determining the cause of the symptoms will it be possible to prescribe appropriate treatment.

    As a rule, the primary examination is carried out by a therapist, who also decides which specialist to refer the patient to. Next, the patient is prescribed to donate blood for general and biochemical analysis, undergo an ultrasound of the thyroid gland and abdominal organs, FGDS, chest x-ray, etc.

    Examination by a therapist and referral for tests

    These studies will allow the specialist to accurately determine the cause of the discomfort and rule out other diseases. Based on their results, the doctor selects a treatment method.

    In the absence of any physical pathologies, the patient is referred to a psychotherapist. Sometimes such a decision causes a person to reject and doubt the professionalism of the specialists examining him. This is due to the fact that the patient very clearly feels a foreign body in the throat, although in fact the airways are normal. By trusting your doctor, you can get rid of the problem faster.

    If you have pain or a lump in your throat, you should definitely see a doctor and follow their instructions.

    Somatic causes of discomfort

    There are several main reasons that cause chest pain and the feeling of a lump in the throat. It is important to note that similar symptoms may indicate different diseases. A doctor will be able to determine the exact cause of chest pain.

    There is a widespread belief that the feeling of pressing pain in the chest is always associated with serious dysfunction of the cardiovascular system. This is only partly true. Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are a common, but not the only cause of chest discomfort.

    An attack of angina pectoris, which develops against the background of high blood pressure, negative emotions, after intense physical exertion, is accompanied by pain in the chest. It also feels like there is a lump in the throat. In addition, there may be soreness in the lower jaw and left shoulder blade.

    Discomfort with angina pectoris is caused by impaired blood supply to the heart muscle. This is why the pain is most felt in the middle of the chest. The disease requires mandatory comprehensive treatment.

    During myocardial infarction, the blood supply to a section of the heart muscle is completely blocked:

    • increasing pain appears in the middle of the chest;
    • burning;
    • there is a lump in the throat;
    • a feeling of fear arises.

    Painful sensations do not go away after changing body position, as well as using painkillers. Failure to seek medical help promptly can result in death.

    Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) occurs after infectious or immune diseases. The burning, pain in the middle of the sternum is intense. Symptoms of myocarditis are often similar to those of a heart attack.

    Atherosclerotic changes in the coronary vessels, as well as thrombosis of the arteries supplying the heart muscle, lead to chest pain. There is a lump in the throat, a feeling of lack of air, compression of the chest. Vascular diseases are serious pathologies that require mandatory therapy.

    Diseases of the respiratory system cause pain in the chest of various types. Often, pathologies of the lungs and bronchi are associated with infectious diseases and are accompanied by an increase in body temperature, the appearance of chills, and weakness. Symptoms intensify with increased breathing and after physical exertion.

    With pleurisy and pneumonia, severe pain appears locally or throughout the chest. A burning sensation that occurs in the middle or under the armpit does not allow you to breathe and move freely. Pleurisy and pneumonia are accompanied by fever, cough and other symptoms of acute respiratory diseases.

    Pathologies of the pulmonary vessels cause pain in the chest and a feeling that there is a lump in the throat. Pulmonary embolism often appears after prolonged immobility of a person or as a consequence of deep vein thrombosis. In addition to acute pain, breathing is impaired, and pleurisy may appear.

    Sometimes pain in the chest occurs due to diseases of the digestive system. Pain radiating to the sternum, lump and sore throat, belching appear when the functions of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum are impaired.

    Sometimes chest pain is associated with disruption of the esophagus, which is diagnosed as esophagospasm. Esophageal spasms can occur spontaneously at different times of the day. Sometimes spasmodic pain appears after eating, during sleep, or during physical activity. Painful spasms of the esophagus may be accompanied by belching and a sore throat.

    Since the esophagus is anatomically close to the heart, esophagospasm causes symptoms characteristic of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. With spasms of the esophagus, a lump occurs in the throat, pain in the middle of the chest. Pain is felt under the armpit, between the shoulder blades, and a burning sensation occurs when stomach contents reflux into the esophagus. Symptoms worsen during stressful situations.

    Burning and pain behind the sternum, sore throat, unpleasant belching occurs with heartburn. Disruption of the digestive tract, increased acidity of gastric juice causes heartburn.

    A hiatal hernia is often confused due to the similarity of symptoms with angina pectoris or heartburn. Symptoms worsen when the body is positioned horizontally or when the body is tilted. With a hiatal hernia, the following may appear:

    • burning pain behind the sternum;
    • belching of air or stomach contents;
    • dry mouth;
    • sore throat.

    Peptic ulcer and gastritis are characterized by severe or moderate pain. Belching, burning in the epigastric region, heartburn, sore throat, pain in the chest may indicate stomach diseases. Nervous and physical stress intensify symptoms.

    Gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause pain in the lower chest. This occurs due to uncoordinated function of the gastric sphincters. The resulting belching causes heartburn, burning, and pain.

    Pancreatitis, a dysfunction of the gallbladder, is often accompanied by pain. Symptoms usually worsen after eating. A person feels dry mouth, discomfort in the epigastric region, pain in the chest. The resulting belching does not eliminate heaviness in the stomach.

    Chest pain occurs with neurological pathologies and degenerative joint diseases (osteochondrosis, arthritis). Intercostal neuralgia is characterized by pain in the chest. Often the soreness extends under the armpit, causing a burning sensation.

    Symptoms of intercostal neuralgia are often confused with a heart attack if the pain is felt on the left side of the armpit. It is not difficult to distinguish the signs of various pathologies. Symptoms of heart disease do not disappear or improve with changes in body position. In case of neurology, pain on the left under the armpit can disappear instantly if the person changes his posture or the position of his hands.

    Sometimes sensations of a lump in the throat and pressing pain behind the sternum or under the armpit appear with severe stress, psychosis, or emotional outburst. The situation worsens with prolonged exposure to a negative psycho-emotional atmosphere.

    Injuries

    Any injury causes pain in the chest area. Rupture of the esophagus, damage to the lungs, pleura, bronchi, and rib fractures are accompanied by severe pain, intoxication, and increased body temperature.

    Let's look at the most common pathologies, which are characterized by chest pain and a feeling of a lump in the throat.

    Common causes of a feeling of a lump in the throat are the following pathologies:

    1. ARVI
      ARVI, influenza and inflammatory processes in the ENT organs: pharyngitis, rhinitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis. Swelling of the mucous membrane causes a feeling of constriction in the larynx and pharynx. With a runny nose or sinusitis, the drainage of mucus from the nasal sinuses and its accumulation on the back wall of the throat also leads to an unpleasant sensation of a lump that interferes with swallowing and breathing.

    2. Bronchopulmonary pathologies: tracheitis, laryngitis and laryngotracheitis, bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy. The patient has a sore throat and chest in the middle and upper part with a strong dry cough against the background of bronchitis, pneumonia, and pleurisy.
    3. Mumps (mumps), lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes).
    4. A retropharyngeal abscess is a purulent inflammation of the pharyngeal tissue. It develops more often in infants from 2 months to the age of 4-5 years. It manifests itself as acute pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing, breathing, temperature up to 40 C, swelling of the cervical and occipital lymph nodes.
    5. Aspiration pneumonia, which develops when food and foreign particles enter the bronchi. The disease is more often diagnosed in older people. With aspiration pneumonia: sore throat and chest; a cough occurs, attacks of suffocation occur, the temperature rises, and problems with swallowing (even water) intensify.

    Also observed:

    • sore throat, burning sensation and pain when swallowing;
    • swelling and redness of the mucous membrane in the mouth;
    • enlarged tonsils;
    • cough, shortness of breath, breathing problems, wheezing;
    • hoarseness, wheezing (with laryngospasm and asthmatic attack);
    • difficulty breathing.

    In an acute process, the following are noted:

    • elevated temperature;
    • weakness, muscle aches;
    • nausea, loss of appetite.

    Disorders in the functioning of the endocrine system often provoke an unpleasant syndrome in the form of a lump in the throat, which interferes with swallowing and breathing freely.

    Due to an imbalance of hormones, a significant increase in the volume of the gland occurs, which creates a feeling of constriction in the respiratory tract.

    Often such a sign appears in pathologies such as:

    • iodine deficiency;
    • hyperthyroidism;
    • diffuse goiter;
    • thyroiditis.

    If the patient does not have a fever or symptoms of an inflammatory disease, then the sensation of a foreign body stuck in the throat and pain in the thoracic region is often

    arise:

    • when the nerve plexuses in the cervical and thoracic spine are pinched, affecting the functioning of the respiratory tract;
    • deformation and displacement of the spinal disc.

    Main diseases:

    • intercostal neuralgia;
    • pinched nerves of intervertebral discs;
    • degenerative-inflammatory pathologies (arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis) in the upper spine;
    • intervertebral disc herniation.

    Features of chest pain:

    • are aching or shooting in nature, with feedback to the back, head, neck and throat;
    • resemble pain due to heart pathologies;
    • increase with changes in body position;
    • are not accompanied by cardiac arrhythmias.

    Pain in the chest and throat, often accompanied by a “stake” inside the chest, can be caused by diseases of the digestive tract.

    With such a syndrome, the development of the following pathologies can be suspected:

    • Esophagospasm is a spasm of the muscles of the esophagus.

    Burning, cramping pain in the chest with spasm of the esophagus occurs at rest or during the passage of food through the esophagus. There is a feeling that a sharp nail or a hard foreign object is sticking out in the center of the chest. A peculiarity of pain with esophagospasm is that it is often concentrated not only behind the sternum, but also in the back - between the shoulder blades. And due to the close location of the esophagus to the heart, patients confuse severe spasms with pain from a heart attack or angina.

    Symptoms

    The cause of a pathology is always hidden behind its symptoms. Therefore, the analysis of the clinical picture comes first in the diagnostic process. The doctor first evaluates the patient’s complaints and finds out from him how the disease progressed before seeking medical help. Then the subjective information is supported by the results of an objective study: examination and other physical methods (palpation, percussion, auscultation).

    If you suddenly feel heaviness in your chest, then you can’t help but think about pulmonary-pleural pathology. Most often we are talking about inflammatory pathology – pneumonia or exudative pleurisy. In these cases, pay attention to local and general symptoms:

    • Cough (dry or wet).
    • Mixed shortness of breath.
    • Chest pain when breathing (right or left).
    • Fever.
    • Malaise.

    Unlike these conditions, tuberculosis develops gradually. For a long time it manifests itself as general weakness, low-grade fever, and loss of appetite. Periodic cough does not always attract attention, especially in smokers. But over time, signs of respiratory failure appear and hemoptysis occurs.

    In people with pneumothorax, the condition worsens quite quickly. Air entering the pleural cavity compresses the lung. Because of this, it becomes difficult to breathe, sharp pain appears, radiating to the neck and behind the sternum. The neck veins swell, the heart rate increases, the skin turns pale, and patients become anxious.

    Upon examination, many conditions are accompanied by a lag in breathing of the affected half of the chest. Percussion is determined by dullness of sound (pneumonia, exudative pleurisy, hemothorax), its box-like tone (emphysema) or tympanitis (pneumothorax). Auscultation reveals weakened breathing, pleural friction noise, moist rales or crepitus.

    Bronchial diseases

    Difficulty breathing and heaviness in the chest are not uncommon with pathology of the bronchial tree. In the vast majority of cases, the process is infectious and inflammatory in nature with the involvement of allergic factors. Bronchial asthma and obstructive disease have much in common:

    • Chronic course.
    • Shortness of breath with prolongation of expiration.
    • Cough with scanty sputum.
    • Expansion of the chest.
    • Dry wheezing on auscultation.

    An exacerbation of bronchial asthma is associated with exposure to allergens on the body and occurs in the form of an attack of suffocation - the patient assumes a forced position, his pulse quickens, his breathing becomes shallow and frequent, and cold sweat appears. At the end of the attack, glassy, ​​transparent and viscous sputum comes out with a cough.

    Obstructive disease is accompanied by a gradual but steady progression of shortness of breath. It develops in patients with a long history of smoking and working in dusty conditions. An exacerbation is provoked by infection and is characterized by increased cough and shortness of breath, an increase in the volume of sputum and an increase in its purulence. Bronchial obstruction necessarily leads to emphysema.

    Respiratory pathology occupies a prominent place among the probable causes of heaviness in the chest and is associated with damage to the lungs, pleura or bronchi.

    Heart diseases

    The greatest danger to the patient is cardiac pathology. Pressing pain and heaviness behind the sternum are a typical manifestation of coronary heart disease. Unpleasant sensations radiate to the left arm and under the shoulder blade; they are provoked by physical activity or emotional stress.

    And if during angina pectoris the attack does not last long (up to 10 minutes) and is relieved with nitroglycerin, then myocardial infarction is accompanied by the opposite phenomena. But besides pain, there will be other signs of ischemic changes in the heart muscle:

    • Dyspnea on exertion and at rest.
    • Anxiety and fear of death.
    • Increased heart rate.
    • Pale and sweating.
    • Muffled heart sounds.

    If pleurisy is suspected, then the pain will be localized to the left of the sternum - in the pericardial region. They are aggravated by breathing, coughing and movement, but are relieved by lying down. Auscultation reveals a pericardial friction rub, which becomes more pronounced when pressing on the chest with a stethoscope.

    Diseases of the digestive tract also manifest themselves as pain and heaviness behind the sternum. A distinctive feature is that they occur mainly after eating (on their own, against the background of physical activity, when bending over, while lying down) and are accompanied by other signs:

    • Swallowing disorders (dysphagia).
    • Belching and regurgitation.
    • Heartburn.
    • Vomit.
    • Discomfort and pain in the epigastrium.

    With gastroesophageal reflux, there is a backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus, which is accompanied by heartburn. Achalasia cardia is the opposite situation, when the sphincter does not completely relax or, on the contrary, closes when food enters. A diaphragmatic hernia is characterized by penetration of the cardiac part of the stomach into the dilated esophageal ring. And all of these conditions can be accompanied by pain and a feeling of heaviness in combination with dyspeptic disorders.

    Some diseases of the digestive tract, in particular the esophagus and stomach, very often cause pain and a feeling of heaviness in the chest that occurs after eating.

    Volumetric processes in the mediastinum have a direct impact on the organs located in this anatomical region: bronchi, vessels, esophagus, pericardium. Therefore, heaviness in the sternum and pain become a constant companion for such patients. The clinical picture is dominated by signs of compression of the bronchi (shortness of breath and wheezing, paroxysmal cough), esophagus (dysphonia), sympathetic nerve trunk (drooping eyelid, constriction of the pupil, retraction of the eye) and the superior vena cava. The latter include the following symptoms:

    • Headache.
    • Swelling and cyanosis of the face.
    • Swelling of the neck veins.
    • Noise in the head.

    Malignant tumors grow into nearby tissues, causing angina pain, pericarditis and pleurisy, and fever. Patients report general malaise, loss of appetite, and weight loss. The oncological process metastasizes to the lymph nodes and other organs, causing the patient’s condition to suffer even more.

    Damage to the bone frame represented by the chest and spine is another reason for the feeling of heaviness. With bruises and fractures, it becomes difficult to breathe, touching the affected areas is painful, swelling, bruises and bruises are noticeable on the skin. Many diseases of the spinal column (osteochondrosis, hernia) are accompanied by compression of the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord.

    • Emotional lability.
    • Anxiety and irritability.
    • Dizziness.
    • Headache.
    • Dissatisfaction with inhalation.
    • "Lump in the throat.
    • Rapid heartbeat, etc.

    Patients with neurotic reactions and depression often turn to various doctors, but during examination they do not find any morphological changes. Therefore, for a long time the diagnosis may be hidden behind other conditions.

    Unexplained heaviness in the chest or pain that does not fit into the clinical picture of organic pathology may have a neuropsychic origin.

    This symptom may be due to infectious abnormalities. The main ones are ARVI, which are the result of infection with viruses. Most often, this condition is accompanied by pain in the chest and throat. Lymph nodes often become enlarged.

    Such symptoms may be the result of infectious abnormalities:

    1. Allergy. In addition to pain, it causes swelling and coughing.
    2. Cardiopsychoneurosis. Causes spasms in the throat and muscle tissue. In addition, there is pain.
    3. Penetration of a foreign object into the throat. It provokes not only pain, but also a cough.
    4. Unfavorable environmental conditions. These signs may be associated with chemicals. All this provokes irritation of the throat and respiratory organs.

    The feeling of squeezing pain in the chest and a lump in the throat may be a symptom of a physical illness or psychogenic disorder. Very often it appears suddenly and causes a person discomfort when communicating with other people, interferes with work, and creates problems in his personal life. To accurately determine the cause of this condition, qualified help is needed.

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