Chest pain can still be concerning even without the concern of a heart attack. While chest pain on the right side generally does not indicate a heart attack--the heart is on the left side of your chest--several conditions can cause pain while breathing. Some conditions are only irritated with deep breaths while others cause pain with each respiration
Strain/Sprain
Muscles and ligaments can tear with overuse or a rapid stretch. Sprains and strains are measured from levels one through three with three being a complete tear of a muscle, tendon or ligament. If the intercostal or pectoral muscles strain or any of the tendons or ligaments sprain, a stretch of the area will cause pain. Depending on the degree of the strain, pain will be felt with breathing. It can take days to weeks for the area to heal.
Chostochondritis
The Mayo Clinic states that chostochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the sternum. This results in chest pain near the breastbone and is worse with pressure on the chest or ribs. Deep breaths will also cause this area to be irritated.
Intercostal Neuritis
Between each of the ribs are muscles, ligaments and nerves. Trauma to the ribs can cause damage to the nerves and cause inflammation and pain. The pain is usually sharp and is more intense when the nerve is stretched.
Pleurisy
This condition is caused by an infection of the chest wall, or pleura, the lining that surrounds the lungs. The pleura can become infected and rub against the chest wall. Intense, stabbing pain which becomes worse with deep breathing or coughing or sneezing are common complaints, according to the National Lung Health Education Program. Typically, pneumonia can cause this infection.
Rib Injuries
Trauma to the ribs can cause the ribs to either fracture or separate. If more than one rib is broken and in more than one place on the rib, it can lead to what the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons calls a flail chest. The rib sections will move in the opposite motion of the rest of the chest and can cause damage to the soft tissues near by. If the ribs don't fracture, they can separate from the cartilage which attaches the rib bone to the chest bone. This pain will be intense, especially while breathing.
References
- National Lung Health Education Program: Pleurisy
- Mayo Clinic: Chest Pain
- "Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured -- Ninth Edition;" American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 2007.
