Chest pressure has a few aliases; chest pain, chest discomfort and chest tightness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It can occur anywhere in the front of the body between the neck and upper abdomen, and while the first fear is a heart attack, it can be the result of other conditions. It should be duly noted that any person experiencing any type of pain, pressure or tightness in chest needs to see a doctor immediately.
Angina
Over time, plaques containing cholesterol build up in the walls of the arteries, clogging them. This results in blood flow restriction, which prevents the heart from receiving enough blood and oxygen. Chest pain is the most common symptom of angina, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This pain may also feel like chest tightness, squeezing or pressure, occurring behind the breast bone or slightly to the left of it.
Aortic Dissection
Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition causing severe pain in the chest and back. It involves the main artery leading from the heart--the aorta. The pain arrives when the inner layers of the aorta separates, forcing blood between them, as MayoClinic.com explains. This condition can result from high blood pressure or a hard hit to the chest.
Esophageal Spasm
People rely on the esophagus, the tube running from the throat to the stomach, to move food into the stomach and keep it there. For a small group, however, esophageal spasms occur, which result in chest pain and painful swallowing. These spasms prevent the esophagus from properly performing its duties and are due to uncoordinated esophageal muscles, according to MayoClinic.com.
Pleurisy
Pleurisy, a condition causing sharp, localized chest pain, occurs because of inflammation of the membranes surrounding the lungs, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The pain worsens when a person inhales or coughs, and some underlying causes include pneumonia and lupus.
Panic Attacks
A panic attack is a period of intense fear, according to MayoClinic.com. This is a form of anxiety, and its symptoms include a rapid heartbeat, profuse sweating, rapid breathing and chest pain.
