Most people associate chest pain with a heart attack. However, health authorities confirm that majority of people who rush to the ER thinking that they’re having a heart attack are not actually having a heart attack. Especially if it’s the right side of the chest hurts, a heart attack is less likely the problem. However, they are smart for seeking medical attention because chest pain is something that should be taken seriously all the time.

If currently your right chest feels painful, keep on reading. Below you will come across some of the reasons for such. In some instances, there’s really no need for you to seek immediate medical help. Sometimes all you need to do is relax, take a break from exercising or change your eating habits. At times, however, you may have to pay a doctor a visit.

Without any more ado, here are some of the possible reasons for an achy right chest:

Anxiety or Panic Attack

One of the scariest symptoms of an anxiety or a panic attack is chest pain. Just about any part of the chest can hurt each time, including the right side. Basically, it’s all about the tensing up of the chest muscles when the body is flooded with adrenaline as respond to the fight or flight mode. Once the attack subsides, the aching of the chest goes away naturally.

Muscle Strain

Do you regularly hit the gym or your work entails manual labor? Then it’s likely that the culprit behind your right chest pain is muscle strain. The right side of your chest is likely to hurt most especially if your dominant hand is your right one. The intake of OTC painkilling medications, application of cold compress and sufficient rest are some of home remedies for muscle strain.

GERD or Acid Reflux

Heartburn is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux. Just like what its name suggests, heartburn can make it seem as though you are having a heart attack. If your right chest pain goes away after taking antacids, then you know that GERD or acid reflux is the one to blame and not your ticker. It’s a good idea for you to eliminate trigger foods and drinks from your diet if you have GERD or acid reflux.

Costochondritis

Simply put, costochondritis is the acute inflammation of the cartilages of the ribcage. Needless to say, it’s something that can cause chest pain. Even though pain brought about by costochondritis is commonly experienced right in the center of the chest, other areas of your chest can feel achy as well.

Gallbladder Inflammation

Bile may collect inside the gallbladder because of things such as gallstones and tumors, thus causing the gallbladder to become inflamed. Such can cause pain that can radiate to the right area of the stomach, chest, shoulder and even back. Other common symptoms of gallbladder inflammation include nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, loss of appetite and fever.

Pancreatitis

Simply put, pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. It happens when digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas start to spring into action even before they are released into the digestive system. Common causes of pancreatitis include gallstones and excessive alcohol intake. An inflamed pancreas can cause pain that can radiate to right chest and back.

WARNING: Chest pain is something that you should never take lightly. Especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, heart palpitations and pain that radiates to the left arm, shoulder or jaw, get rushed to the ER.

Don’t forget to share this article on your various social media sites to get everyone you care about also acquainted with these possible reasons for having pain in the right chest area.