While exercise is beneficial for most people, individuals with medical conditions may experience pain and discomfort. Chest pressure accompanied by shoulder pain may be a symptom of coronary heart disease. Although these symptoms may appear during rest, exertion during exercise can intensify the pain and pressure. Report any unexplained episodes of chest discomfort to your doctor.
Exercise
Physical exercise plays an important role in preventing cardiovascular disease, as well as helping to control excess weight. The American Heart Association advises healthy individuals to participate in moderate to vigorous aerobic activities for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Treadmills can help you meet your fitness goals. However, a vigorous exercise program can lead to chest discomfort in individuals with coronary heart disease.
Considerations
A variety of conditions can cause chest pain and discomfort. Possible causes of these symptoms include acid reflux, gallbladder problems, bronchitis and arthritis. While these conditions may cause varying degrees of chest discomfort, chest pressure with shoulder pain commonly stems from angina, especially when the discomfort coincides with exercise.
Angina
Angina is the term for chest discomfort from myocardial ischemia, a condition that limits the flow of oxygen to the heart. Sensations of pressure, fullness or squeezing can occur in the center of the chest, and may extend to the jaw, shoulder and neck. Situations that require additional oxygen, such as walking or running on a treadmill, can trigger an attack of angina. Individuals with angina have an increased risk of experiencing a heart attack and sudden death from cardiac arrest.
Medical Test
An exercise test, also called a treadmill test, stress test or ECG, can help determine the cause of chest pain and provide information regarding the health of the heart and circulatory system. The test involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling on an exercise bike. During this exercise, a blood pressure cuff and electrocardiogram monitor heart activity. Some patients experience chest pain during this test. Abnormal test results may disclose the presence of arrhythmia, a lack of aerobic fitness, or coronary artery disease from a blockage of the arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.
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