Pain on the right side of the chest is common and often caused by a strained muscle, a bruised or broken rib, a trapped nerve, stress and a range of other causes. Pain can also result from problems not directly related to the chest, heart or lungs, called referred pain, which originates from one area and is felt somewhere else. Abdominal problems can also cause pain on the right side of the chest. According to the Cleveland Clinic, chest pain on the right side is rarely due to a cardiac condition.
Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a small organ found under the liver, that stores fluid called bile, which helps digest fat. As the stomach and intestinal tract process and digest food, the gallbladder releases bile to break down the fats. When the tube that connects the gallbladder and liver to the small intestine becomes blocked, nausea, vomiting and pain in the right chest, abdomen and the right side of the back, is often the result. This pain can be mild to severe, often warranting medical attention.
Injured or Fractured Rib
A fractured or bruised rib is a common injury resulting from contact sports or trauma from an automobile accident or a fall. According to MayoClinic.com, a person with right side chest pain due to a rib injury or fracture should practice deep breathing exercises to avoid pneumonia and other lung complications.
Liver Disease
The liver converts food into energy and removes poisons and other unwanted toxins from the blood. It produces bile, which aids in digestion. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, viruses such as hepatitis A, B and C, as well as alcohol addiction, drugs and environmental contaminants, can all affect how the liver functions. All of these liver disorders can cause referred pain in the right side of the chest, from mild to severe.
Fibromyalgia
Unspecified, general muscle and joint pain called fibromyalgia, is often felt in the left or right side of the chest, below the collarbone. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, fibromyalgia can be localized and extremely painful. When the pain occurs in the right chest, a person often associates it with a cardiac problem.
