Chest pain is a frightening symptom that immediately brings forward images of emergency rooms, heart attacks and other life-altering diagnoses. Right-sided chest pain should not be ignored, but myriad etiologies exist for this discomfort. Within the chest, or thoracic cavity, many structures including lung, bone and soft tissues could be eliciting this pain signal.
Cardiac
One of the most life-threatening reasons for right-sided chest pain is a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. If there is any chance this pain is reflective of a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately, according to the American Heart Association. Angina and coronary problems will usually have other symptoms accompanying the chest pain, such as shortness of breath, nausea and sweating.
Costochondritis
An inflammation of the chest bone joints and cartilage, costochondritis can be painful but is not life-threatening. The pain can change locations in the right side of the chest but will not extend into other parts of the body. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen and warm compresses may relieve this pain.
Gallbladder
The gallbladder is nestled around the liver under the right side of the ribcage. Attacks of gallstones or spasms can elicit a right-sided chest pain that may also radiate into the back or shoulder. According to the National Institutes of Health, this pain will worsen after eating.
Lung
The right lung and main bronchus, or breathing tube, sits in the right chest cavity. Lung-associated diagnoses such as asthma, emphysema or bronchitis can provoke a right-sided chest pain. More serious etiologies for this pain include a tuberculosis infection, pneumonia, cancer or a pulmonary embolus, which is a blood clot in the lung. These diagnosis usually cause a sharp pain in the right chest which is increased with inhalation.
