10 Causes of Tightness In Chest

By james

Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky

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The chest area houses some of our most delicate and most important organs. The lungs and the heart, in particular, are essential to us and we could be in considerable trouble if something was to happen to them. They are well protected by a strong shield, the rib cage, although things can still go wrong.

Because a pain in the chest can suggest something wrong with these essential organs, it is often something that you should pay full attention to. It is not always down to something dangerous, however, even if the pain in the area is alarming.

In some cases, you should make sure you get emergency medical assistance straight away. Below are 10 causes of tightness in the chest to look out for.

Cause #1: Stress Cardiomyopathy

Stress cardiomyopathy is said to feel very much like a heart attack. It is a very different condition, though, and is not the result of blocked arteries. It happens because part of the heart sees a severe drop in contractions and it is often caused by an emotional shock such as hearing of the passing of a family member.

Also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, this condition is potentially very serious. It can lead to heart failure and shock and patients should be sought immediate medical attention. Despite the potential severity of the condition, though, patients will usually make a full recovery.