Right-sided chest pain isn’t usually talked about as often, but it can still indicate a variety of problems.
There can be many possible causes for pain on the right side of the chest.
Pain in the right side of the chest can result from a direct injury or inflammation of certain structures, or by referred pain. Referred pain is when the pain originates in a different part of the body.
There can be many possible causes for pain on the right side of the chest. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons people visit the ER.
When doctors try to identify the cause of pain on the right side of the chest, they consider what is in that part of the body.
This includes:
- Skin.
- muscles.
- Ribs.
- Cartilage, a type of connective tissue.
- Pleura, which is a thin lining around the ribs and chest cavity.
- Lungs.
- the diaphragm.
- In women, the right breast.
However, the pain may radiate from another part of the body to the right side of the chest. For example, you may have an injury to your neck or shoulders, but the pain may also be felt on the right side of your chest.
When to seek medical attention
Not all causes of right chest pain are serious, but some are. Anytime you feel pain on the right side of your chest, you should tell your doctor.
Therefore, you should seek emergency care for right-sided chest pain if:
- You are coughing.
- You feel like you are going to pass out.
- You have a much faster or slower heart rate than usual.
- You have pain that comes on suddenly and sharply and doesn’t go away, or you have pain that radiates to your jaw and arms. This could indicate a heart attack.
- You already have a respiratory disease.
- You have a fever
- You have difficulty breathing.
It is important to rule out more serious causes of chest pain before assuming that the pain has a less serious cause.
Causes of chest pain
Possible causes of pain on the right side of the chest include:
- Anxiety Attack.
- Collapsed lung.
- Costochondritis.
- Gallbladder problems.
- Gastroesophageal reflux.
- Heart attack.
- Lung cancer.
- Musculoskeletal strain or injury.
- Pericarditis.
- Pleuritis.
- Pneumonia.
- Pulmonary embolism.
- Rib fracture.
- Herpes
PANORAMA
The prognosis for someone who has pain on the right side of the chest varies depending on the cause of the discomfort.
If pain persists despite treatment, it is important to continue to follow up with your doctor for further diagnosis and treatment.
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