Numerous conditions or injuries can cause right-sided chest pain. According to MayoClinic.com, chest pain, including right-sided chest pain, can manifest suddenly. Chest pain is one of the most common reasons people seek emergency medical help. Some types of chest pain, such as heart-related pain, occur predominantly on the left side of the chest, while other types of chest pain occur on both sides of the chest or on the right side. Not all causes of right-sided chest pain indicate a medical emergency.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia can cause right-sided chest pain. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, or NFA, fibromyalgia is a common, long-lasting pain disorder that affects a person's physical, social and mental well-being. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome, not a disease, as it's a collection of signs, symptoms and health problems that are unrelated to a specific cause. The NFA states that common signs and symptoms associated with fibromyalgia include widespread pain; numerous tender points throughout the body; sleep-related problems; excessive fatigue; psychological distress; and sensitivity to light, touch and sound. One of the defining characteristics of fibromyalgia is pain when firm pressure is applied to tender points in various parts of the body, including the upper right chest. A person with fibromyalgia usually describes her muscle pain as dull and aching.
Pectoral Muscle Strain
A right-sided pectoral muscle strain can cause pain in the right side of the chest. The Sports Injury Clinic website states that the pectoralis major muscle is a bulky and powerful paired muscle situated on the front of the chest. The function of the pectoralis major muscle is to rotate the arm inward and pull a horizontal arm across the body, among other functions. Strains or tears of this muscle usually occur at the point where the muscle's tendon inserts into the humerus, or arm bone, although tears in the muscle belly can also occur. According to the Sports Injury Clinic website, pectoral muscle strains are common weight lifting injuries, especially during the bench press. Common signs and symptoms associated with a pectoral muscle strain include a sudden, sharp pain in the muscle on the affected side, pain and swelling at the injury site, pain with resisted inward rotation of the affected-side arm, and an observable lump in the muscle.
Collapsed Lung
A collapsed right lung can cause right-sided chest pain. According to the MedlinePlus website, a collapsed lung, also known as a pneumothorax, is the accumulation of air in the area around the lungs. The collection of air places pressure on the lung, impairing its ability to expand during inhalation, or taking in a breath of air. The most common cause of a collapsed lung is chest trauma, such as puncture wounds, rib fractures and certain medical conditions. In some cases, a lung may collapse without any apparent cause---a condition known as spontaneous pneumothorax. Common signs and symptoms associated with a collapsed lung include sharp chest pain that's made worse by coughing or taking a deep breath; dyspnea, or shortness of breath; chest tightness; excessive fatigue; elevated heart rate; or bluish discoloration of the skin, due to lack of oxygen.
