Waking up to chest pain can be a scary experience, but you must know that it is not always a sign of something serious. It could be something as harmless as indigestion or may, at times, be an indicator of something more serious such as heart disease. In this blog, we will closely examine some common reasons why this happens.
Angina
You can take angina as a red flag or an indicator of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) or Coronary Microvascular Disease (MVD). It is a condition in which your heart does not receive enough oxygen, which leads to a tight, heavy feeling in your chest that you wake up to every morning.
Heart Muscle Inflammation
Inflammation is basically your immune system’s defense mechanism. However, when they start developing in your heart, the condition manifests in three forms: pericarditis (around your heart), myocarditis (heart muscle), and endocarditis (heart chambers and valves). Some of the common signs this issue comes up with include:
- Sharp chest pain
- Irregular heartbeats
- Shortness of breath
3. Heart Attack
When your heart muscle is not supplied with adequate oxygen due to a blocked or ruptured artery, your heart undergoes an “attack episode.” Chest pain often spreads to your neck or back, even the abdomen in some cases. Along with that, breathing difficulties, cold sweats, and nausea might join in.
4. Respiratory Infection
Viral or bacterial infections are common and can lead to chest pain that worsens as soon as you wake up. The reason behind this comfort is usually mucus buildup, fever, and fatigue.
5. Bronchospasm
There are certain conditions in which your lung’s airways sometimes tighten up, a condition known as bronchospasm. This brings about pain, breathing difficulties, and sudden fatigue.
6. Pulmonary Hypertension
This condition is a type of blood pressure that targets the lung arteries in particular. It comes with a set of symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and even loss of appetite.
7. Pulmonary Embolism
An embolism is a clot running away from its parent and dislodging in the lung to obstruct the artery in your lung. Chest or upper back pain, swelling in a leg, breathing difficulty, and coughing blood are signs of this severe condition.
8. Heartburn
(GERD) Gastroesophageal reflux disease may be one reason you wake up to a firey chest every morning. It is a condition when stomach acid starts overflowing its origin and reaches the mouth via the esophagus.
9. Peptic Ulcer
If you happen to have an open sore in your stomach or small intestine, it can trigger a burning sensation spreading to your chest. Some of the common signs this condition shows are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Dark stool
10. Pancreatitis
Your pancreas lies near the chest area, which is why, when inflammation occurs, it causes abdominal riot that radiates to your chest.
Closing Note
Do not take this condition lightly; although most issues are not that severe to be scared of, you rule out fatal conditions too. We suggest getting in talks with cardio experts from Northwest Heart Center. Drop by at 13406 Medical Complex Drive, STE #110, Tomball, TX 77375. Connect with us via (281) 351-6250.